MONTEREY, Calif. — The California Credit Union League stunnedattendees at the group's PAC silent auction last night with newsthat Vice President of State Government Affairs Ron Fong will leavethe trade organization to head the California Grocers Associationas president/CEO effective March 31. That date is one week prior tothe league's state Government Relations Rally April 7 and 8 inSacramento.

Fong, who directed the league's advocacy program and managed a10-person staff based in Sacramento, is leaving the league after 12years on the job. The grocery business is old hat to Fong, whopreviously ran his family's grocery store business, United MarketInc., before joining the league. The Fong family grocery businessdates back to 1941.

He will serve as the association's chief legislative advocateand oversee CGA's government relations, member services,convention, and communications programs. The statewide tradeassociation includes approximately 500 retail members operatingover 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, as well as about200 grocery supplier companies.