<p>ALEXANDRIA, Va.-As NCUA's newest board members, Republican JoAnn Johnson and Democrat Deborah Matz, attended their second board meeting, Johnson is facing credit union issues with the help of at least one assistant, while Matz is still sifting through applications. Johnson has hired Julie Starnes as her executive assistant, but she will not begin working until Monday, March 18. Starnes comes to NCUA from the Iowa Credit Union League where she has served as a legislative liaison. Johnson said she had known Starnes and worked with her since 1994, while Johnson served in the state senate. Also, Laurie Egan from NCUA's Region II office is currently working on Johnson's staff. "We'll make a real good team here, I'm sure," Johnson commented. Matz has said she is still on the lookout for candidates to fill the two appointments she is permitted to make as an NCUA Board member. Sources at NCUA have said that Matz is waiting for White House approval of current House Financial Services Committee staffer Dean Sagar for her executive assistant. For her second assistant, Matz is still looking through resums and has conducted some interviews but has made no decisions. NCUA Board members at permitted to hire two Schedule C appointees for their staff during their tenure at the agency.</p>