WASHINGTON-CUNA has retained Leonard Pfeiffer & Co. to help the trade association's search for a new senior vice president of governmental affairs, according to a CUNA spokesperson. John McKechnie, who previously held the post, is awaiting the conclusion of a background check before he can head up the government affairs department at NCUA, according to reliable sources. As far as the progress of the background check, NCUA Director of External Affairs Nicholas Owens would only say that no appointments have been made yet. Current NCUA Director of Governmental and Congressional Affairs Cliff Northup has announced he is leaving the agency this month. Leonard Pfeiffer & Co. also hooked CUNA up with current President and CEO Dan Mica. CUNA Vice President of Legislative Affairs and Senior Legislative Counsel Gary Kohn is also supposed to make the move to NCUA as Board Member Gigi Hyland's senior policy advisor pending a background check, sources have said; again no appointment has been made. CUNA Vice President of Communications and Media Outreach Pat Keefe said CUNA would wait to fill this position until a replacement is found for McKechnie.