ARLINGTON, Va. -- Javier Sanchez has joined the NAFCU staff as associate director of legislative affairs, NAFCU Director of Legislative Affairs Brad Thaler recently announced.

Sanchez, a former Marine, will specialize in defense credit union issues as well as assisting on broader financial services issues. He most recently lobbied for the Vets for Freedom and previously served as director of government relations at the Armed Forces Foundation. He also spent eight years in the Corps, including working in the USMC Office of Legislative Affairs in the U.S. House of Representatives Liaison Office.

"We look forward to leveraging Javier's knowledge and fresh perspective to complement NAFCU's activities," Thaler said. "In addition to lobbying financial services issues, Sanchez will be responsible for tracking many issues for our defense credit union members as well as overseeing NAFCU's annual Defense Credit Union Summit."

Sanchez is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University.