ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA Region II Associate Regional Director John Owen Cole, Jr., has been named the new director of the agency's Office of Strategic Program Support and Planning. Starting June 24, 2003, Cole will be responsible as OSPSP director for providing expertise in investment and portfolio management and strategic planning. "Owen Cole has demonstrated dedication, initiative, professionalism, team building skills and a willingness to accept new challenges unquestionably qualifying him to assume the duties and responsibilities of director of OSPSP," NCUA Executive Director J. Leonard Skiles stated in announcing the appointment. Prior to joining NCUA, Cole served as vice president of the Treasury Division at Riggs National Bank in Washington, D.C. He joined NCUA in 1993 as a corporate investment officer in Examination and Insurance and has held positions in the Office of Chief Economist and Office of Investment Services. He was then promoted in 1998 to director of risk management within E&I and vice president/treasurer of the Central Liquidity Facility. Cole was named Region II associate regional director of operations in May 2002. Ed Dupcak, the current OSPSP director, has been selected to fill the shoes of now-retired Region I Director Layne Bumgardner. Cole holds a bachelor's degree in history from McDaniel College and an MBA in finance and investments from George Washington University. -

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