SHAWNEE MISSION, Kan. – Former U.S. Central CEO Dan Kampen is back in the industry. He is one of three founders of a new company, The Rochdale Group. The firm was formed by Kampen, long-time credit union consultant and former CUNA executive George Towle, and Mike Hales, president/COO of venerable credit union consulting firm Counter Intelligence Associates (CIA). In one of its first moves, The Rochdale Group acquired CIA, which was founded some 30 years ago by Diane Johnson. Johnson recently retired. The Rochdale Group acquired CIA from CUSO One, LLC of Lenexa, Kansas. Five years ago, CommunityAmerica wanted to round out its CUSO activities by offering credit union consulting services. That goal led it to CIA. The credit union said it no longer fit with CUSO One's mission. CIA's executive team – Jason Boles, Tom Glatt, Jr., Gary Hess, Jane Pannier, and Mike Hales – are staying in place. Kampen said the new firm has three goals: to help credit unions with collaboration efforts, vendor and product management, and consulting via CIA. "CIA was a hidden jewel. Dennis Pierce and CommunityAmerica approached me about acquiring it.. I was overwhelmed by the depth and experience of the staff and the depth of services," said Kampen. He noted CIA's Bank Secrecy Act compliance program, its CUSO development and business services programs, risk-based lending program, and others. He said CIA has over 900 clients. "You look at the combination, you have longevity of the staff and leadership. I was a client of Diane's, and they always did great work for me." After leaving U.S. Central rather unceremoniously last year, Kampen said the industry called out to him. "When I was trying to decide what I wanted to work on, I had credit unions and vendors tell me they wanted me to stay in the industry," he said. He believes collaboration among credit unions and credit union organizations will be key for the future of credit unions. "I think back to what Bucky Sebastian (CEO of GTE FCU) said when I heard him speak maybe 15 years ago – innovate, cooperate, or amalgamate. We're positioned to help credit unions innovate, or if they want to cooperate or amalgamate," said Kampen. The name "Rochdale" may ring a bell for the credit union historians out there. Kampen said he and his founders chose the name based on a small cooperative grocery store formed in 1844 in Rochdale, England by poor workers. They became known as the Rochdale Equitable Society of Pioneers. They required the purchase of at least one share (one pound sterling) for membership The "Rochdale Principles" helped form the cooperative banking system in Germany in the mid-1880s."We felt it was very appropriate. That is the roots of credit unions," said Kampen. The Rochdale Group is based in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, with CIA's headquarters in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. staying in place. [email protected]