WASHINGTON-NAFCU Chair Diane Furnas, CEO of Southwest Airlines Federal Credit Union in Dallas, will step down from NAFCU's top elected post in July. Her term as chair ends in July, but her board term has two years remaining on it. According to NAFCU's bylaws the remaining board members can appoint a replacement until the next annual election in 2006 when a candidate would be elected to serve out the remainder of the term. She will leave the board at the close of NAFCU's Annual Conference. Furnas has served seven years on the board, including two as chair and three as vice chair. "We are doing so very well as an association in so many ways," Furnas said. "We continue to offer top-notch legislative and regulatory representation, compliance help and education programs to our members. It has been a true joy to have served NAFCU and the federal credit union community." Under Furnas' leadership, NAFCU has worked to enhance the federal charter, significantly raised its political profile, increased member communication, worked with other credit union groups to counter bankers' attacks, and pushed for regulatory relief measures. Furnas has put in more than 36 years in the credit union community, 30 of those as president and CEO of Southwest Airlines Federal Credit Union. She has also chaired the board of NAFCU Services Corporation, served on the USERS. Board for six years with two as vice chair, and was named NAFCU's Professional of the Year in 1998. NAFCU President and CEO Fred Becker called Furnas "a dedicated leader who has set high standards for the association and hasn't been afraid to tackle tough industry issues. She has made many lasting contributions to NAFCU, and we wish her the best as she refocuses her attention on credit union business back home." He expressed his appreciation her for her service.