SEDONA, Ariz. – From the day they met at a credit union in Oklahoma, they have dedicated themselves to each other and to credit unions. Johnson is the founder and CEO of well-known credit union consulting firm Counter Intelligence Associates. She started the firm in 1977. Shortly after their marriage, Glatt joined his wife at CIA. "She was the best CEO I ever worked for, and I'd say that even if she wasn't my wife," said Glatt. Glatt became a road warrior, spending 16 years consulting with credit unions all over the country on everything from strategic planning and succession planning to helping them implement new products and services. The constant travel wore on Glatt. He tore up both his shoulders and physically said he just didn't want to be on the road as much. "I was literally on the road 300 days a year. I couldn't do that kind of travel any more," he said. So Glatt joined the $2 billion Portland Teachers CU in November of 2004 as executive vice president/chief operating officer. PTCU CEO Cliff Dias described Glatt as his official No. 2. Last year Dias announced he would retire in 2006 and Glatt applied for the CEO position. "I did not make the final cut. I said in my interview process (when hired as EVP/COO) that if I did not get the job, I would not stay on. I've seen too many situations where the new guy comes from the outside, and the inside candidate stays. It's uncomfortable for everybody," said Glatt. His last day at PTCU is Jan. 6. And besides, said Glatt, he wants to become a CEO of a large credit union. "I have all this experience and I really would like to be the CEO of a credit union. I think I'll make somebody a great CEO," said Glatt. Glatt did do consulting work for a number of years for PTCU prior to joining the credit union, and said it was gratifying to actually see plans he helped develop come to fruition. "As a consultant you usually come in and work with the credit union on the front end to put plans in place, but then you leave, and you can't be there to see them through." He worked with the senior management team on the CU's name change to OnPoint Community CU (which at press time was expected to take place Jan. 1), and on getting its new 10-county community charter. Dias wished Glatt well. "Tom is a great guy with a great future. He learned a lot while here at PTCU as the second-in-command, and we also learned a lot from him. I believe that Tom has many more options in his future as a result of his time at PTCU. There is nothing like being on the front line for experience," said Dias. Glatt, who lives with Johnson at their Sedona, Arizona home, said geography will not play a role in getting a new CEO job. "That's not an issue. We'll always have the home here. At 55, I'm too young to not do anything. I have all this experience working with large credit unions. I think I can make a great No. 1 for somebody." Johnson is also going through a career change. After almost 30 years of running CIA, she has decided to retire effective Dec. 31, 2005. "I started this company in 1977 and had no idea it would still be around 30 years later. It's been a great business. We've had a great time. I was blessed to work with some great people and credit unions. We've worked with some good regulators and some difficult ones. We've been close with some very large credit unions and some very small ones. We really have a feeling that we've made a difference," said Johnson. CIA has a 13-person staff, including a number of long-time employees. "We have a lot of tenure and a lot of commitment. We have been a very close-knit professional family. The company will go on and create new memories," said Johnson. Johnson, 58, said she didn't want this to appear as a cause and effect announcement, but one reason that contributed to her decision to retire is the pending sale of CIA. Five years ago she sold CIA to a CUSO of CommunityAmerica Credit Union, which was seeking a consulting firm to add to its CUSO line-up. She said it's been a solid relationship, but the CUSO is now selling CIA. "After 28 years of working for myself, I don't think working for someone else would make sense at this point. My clients need to understand change is OK. It's the right time for me," said Johnson. CIA has been a family affair. Johnson's two daughters work for the firm as does Tom Glatt, Jr. In recent years CIA has seen tremendous success with its CIA Studios unit which produces Webinars. Tom Glatt, Jr. has been instrumental in growing that business, said Johnson. The name Counter Intelligence Associates, often abbreviated CIA, has confused some over the years. Johnson said it's simple really. The firm's original purpose was "training people who work across counters." Looking back on the work CIA has done with hundreds of credit unions, Johnson said it's difficult to pick out a favorite job, but one does stand out as extra special. "We consulted on the first and only conversion of a S&L to a credit union (ESL FCU in Rochester, N.Y.). That was amazing," she said. [email protected]