WASHINGTON – The $316 million US Senate FCU has named Susan Enis as its new CEO. Enis replaces Jan Roche, who now serves as president/CEO of another large government CU, the $700 million State Department FCU, also in Washington. Enis had been serving as the acting CEO since April. US Senate FCU has had an adventurous couple of years, including being forced out of its offices during the anthrax scare and enduring a lengthy dispute revolving around the size of the board. A group of members was in an uproar when the board expanded the number of seats from seven to 13. The board tried to appease the members by dropping down to 11, but the membership went ahead with a special meeting that succeeded in returning it to a seven-person board. Some speculated that the board strife led to Roche's departure, but Roche is adamant that wasn't the case (CU Times, Sept. 10). All that is ancient history said Enis, and it's time to turn the page. "This is an excellent board focused on the well-being of this institution. We're just looking to improve our service delivery channels and looking to the future, riding out the interest rates like everybody else." Though dubbed US Senate FCU, the CU also serves the General Accounting Office, the capital police, and the Supreme Court. Enis, 39, has a wealth of financial industry experience, including a stint as a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation examiner and as a VP and auditor for a community bank before joining US Senate. Her most recent position with the credit union was CFO. She said the FDIC examiner job was intense and an in-your-face introduction to banking. "It was very enlightening. It's a great way to get into banking. You get it from the strict regulatory side, learning how things should be done right and legal. And I was there back in the `80s when we were bailing out banks in Louisiana and other states, what an experience," said Enis. After three years as an examiner, Enis moved on to a community bank which is now long gone. "I was there for six years. I now realize banks and credit unions are a lot alike. The regulatory experience is similar. I don't even think commercial banks are a whole heck of a lot different from credit unions," said Enis. Like many CUs serving the government in D.C., branches are at a premium. U.S. Senate only has three – one in the Hart Senate building, one in the GAO building and one in Alexandria, Va. However it's poised for a major upgrade as it's moving to a brand new office in the GAO building that is a substantial upgrade over its current GAO location. "With the growth in business at our GAO office space was starting to get tight. The new office will have more room and a great location," said Enis. The CU also belongs to shared branching network Service Centers Corp. and shared outlets, CUOnline and CUHere. "It's the most cost-effective way to serve the membership," she said. Enis is excited about the new job, saying it's a great present for her upcoming 40th birthday . "Actually to celebrate my 40th I ran the Marine Corps. marathon (26 miles). I took up running back in 2001. I could barely run a mile, I had to walk," she said. But after a lot of hard work, Enis now considers herself a runner. It has helped her shed 50 pounds. "Running and healthy eating is essential for keeping it off. It takes time and effort," she said. When she's not running or running the credit union, Enis spends most of her time with her two children. [email protected]