ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida's Chief Financial Officer, Alex Sink spoke here at the Florida CU League's Government Affairs Luncheon during its 2007 Annual Convention & Exposition, soothing any CU concerns over a former banker overseeing the state's highest financial office. Karen Thurman, a five-term congresswoman and now chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party introduced Sink as "a breath of fresh air in Tallahassee. Everywhere she has worked she has left a mark and worked diligently with advocacy groups." Sink warmed to the audience and to credit unions. Sink, a Democrat, assumed the CFO spot in January.

Previously, Sink ran Florida's largest bank–Bank of America–and first thanked Thurman for discouraging other Democrats running for the office, then noted how Thurman called her after she announced her candidacy, saying, "I have two people I want you to talk to who are very worried about a banker getting this job." They were Guy Hood, FCUL president and Aletta Shutes, FCUL executive vice president. "I told her, 'No problem,' I believe in competition and I believe the credit union industry has a critical role in the landscape of financial providers in the state of Florida," said Sink.

"I won their support and I do appreciate your being engaged in the political scene; you should wield your power and if you do, you will make a difference," Sink said. As CFO, Sink oversees the Dept. of Financial Affairs and the Office of Insurance Regulation, two among the five 12 state agencies with financial components that report to her cabinet position.