MADISON, Wis.- Gary Officer, an affordable housing professional, was named the new National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) executive director. Officer replaces Pat Brownell, who announced her plans to leave the foundation earlier this year. "I think the Board has made an excellent choice," says Brownell. "I'm leaving the National Credit Union Foundation in very capable hands." Officer will work with the NCUF Board to expand the foundation's reputation in the credit union and community development arenas. He will also continue to build relationships with major private foundations, including the one NCUF currently enjoys with the Ford Foundation. Officer has worked in the affordable housing field since 1990. During that time, he has held leadership positions with both the Lakefront SRO Corporation in Chicago and the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Manchester, England in 1985 and a master's in economics and international relations from the London School of Economics in 1990.