CUNA Starts New Year with Fresh Face

WASHINGTON-Though she may be a newcomer to CUNA, Linda Gualtieri is no stranger to Capitol Hill. The credit union trade organization has hired the legislative affairs and communications specialist as its new legislative affairs manager to replace Maura Hampton, who left the trade organization Dec. 20. Gualtieri is very familiar with the ways of Capitol Hill, having served most recently as legislative director for Congressman Felix Grucci (R-N.Y.), who was supported by credit unions but lost his reelection bid. She managed the congressman’s work on the House Financial Services Committee as well as work related to appropriations, economic development and grants, health care, labor, privacy and tax issues. Before working for Grucci, Gualtieri performed legislative work for Congressman Peter King (R-N.Y.). She had also interned for him in the past. Prior to her second stint in King’s office, she interned in the press office of former Senate Banking Committee Chairman Alfonse D’Amato (R-N.Y.). On the advocacy side, Gualtieri lobbied for non-profit hospital and university clients on appropriations as an account executive for Cassidy & Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying and public relations firm. She also tracked and analyzed legislation and state and federal programs and regulations, and identified legislative precedents, trends and anticipated government action. Additionally, Gualtieri interned for the production of the CNBC show Equal Time, developing political profiles on guests, briefing co-hosts on legislative issues, and preparing daily press clips. She has also participated in several political campaigns at all levels. Gualtieri holds bachelor’s degrees from American University in Washington, D.C. in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics and Government; and in Public Communication. Gualtieri assumed her new post with CUNA Monday, Jan. 6. See her in action on page 18.