NAFCU President/CEO Dan Berger, NAFCU Vice President of Legislative Affairs Brad Thaler and CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle were named among the top lobbyists in Washington this year by The Hill newspaper.

The CUNA and NAFCU executives were featured on the Hill's “Top Lobbyists 2014: Associations” list. The Hill also puts together top lobbyist lists in the corporate, grassroots and hired guns categories.

“We use a variety of criteria: feedback from lawmakers/aides as well as lobbyists, lobbying registrations, and assessing the clout of associations the lobbyists run,” Bob Cusack, The Hill's editor-in-chief, told CU Times on Wednesday.

NAFCU said Berger has been featured on The Hill's list 11 times in the past. Thaler was mentioned on the list 6 times before.

“It is always an honor to be recognized as one of the top lobbyists in Washington, but the praise and distinction really goes to NAFCU's entire government affairs team who work extremely hard on Capitol Hill as well as with the administration,” Berger said. “In addition, much credit also goes to our politically active members that support our efforts with their grassroots activities.”

Former Iowa Republican Congressman Jim Nussle started as CEO of CUNA last month.

Shortly after his hiring was announced, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) told CU Times Nussle was a terrific choice for the position.

“He is very smart – very experienced. He will bring an integrity and an intelligence to the job and I can't imagine anybody who would do a better job of speaking out and explaining the unique pattern of credit unions and how they serve their members,” Gingrich said.

Former CUNA President/CEO Dan Mica, now with the DMA Group LLC, was featured on the hired guns top lobbyists list. “The former Florida congressman was on the frontlines for the Credit Union National Association for 14 years and still advocates on the group's behalf,” The Hill's list said.

Instant Insights /

NAFCU, CUNA Lobbyists Make The Hill List

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