Industry Veterans Announce Partnership to Better Serve Credit Unions

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Jan. 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advocacy and public affairs firm, Leverage Point and Washington, D.C.-based law firm, CU Counsel, today announced a formal, cross-referencing partnership that will streamline advocacy, public affairs and legal consultation for credit unions across the United States.

Leverage Point partners with clients to develop and implement proactive strategies (i.e., advocacy, crisis management, brand & reputation management) that help to nurture positive public sentiment and gainfully represent member and industry issues, specifically tailored to their individual organizations. CU Counsel operates as an advocacy and consulting law firm that offers expertise and practical experience on legal, regulatory, examination, legislative, corporate governance and policy issues to credit unions and the credit union system.

Both firms offer unique specialization and expertise in the credit union industry. CU Counsel is fully comprised of industry champions and leaders, counting among its general partners Steven R. Bisker (former Assistant General Counsel for NCUA), Mary Mitchell Dunn (former Deputy General Counsel and SVP, Regulatory Advocacy for CUNA), Stephen A.J. Eisenberg (former EVP and General Counsel to Pentagon Federal Credit Union), and Eric L. Richard (former General Counsel and EVP for CUNA). "We are so pleased to partner with Leverage Point to provide a range of advocacy and other services that credit unions say they really need. I look forward to combining our strengths and expertise to maximize our advocacy efforts, and I am confident credit unions will benefit," Mary Dunn, CU Counsel.

A seasoned industry pro, himself, Leverage Point CEO/President, Fernandez Ceballos, has 13 years of experience in the credit union industry and, in addition to running the new firm, currently serves as VP of governmental affairs for the Credit Union Association of New Mexico, where he has successfully guided the association to sustained success for the past eight years. Additionally, Leverage Point has hired Michael Barrio as its' Director of Public Affairs. Barrio comes to Leverage Point after having previously worked as a legislative analyst for a Santa Fe-based lobbying firm, and for the New Mexico State University Office of Governmental Affairs. He spent several years in Los Angeles, California, and gained extensive expertise in corporate human resources, organizational development and alignment, and media relations during his tenure at The Walt Disney Co. and Yahoo!, Inc..

The direct connection between Leverage Point's advocacy and public affairs services, and the legal and regulatory services which CU Counsel provides, allows for the firms to provide coordinated, comprehensive, and cohesive strategies specifically tailored to individual credit union goals and objectives. Both firms recognize a distinct and productive synergy between them that can be coordinated to provide focused and comprehensive professional services that are positioned to better serve credit unions. "We are eager to bring together some of the greatest talent in the movement to help credit unions thrive and maximize opportunities for success," Fernandez Ceballos, Leverage Point.

Leverage Point, Inc. is an advocacy and public affairs firm that specializes in Governmental and Public Affairs and partners with clients, from coast to coast, in developing and implementing proactive strategies (that include issues management, crisis communications and brand & reputation management) that empower them to mobilize grassroots efforts and galvanize positive public sentiments, specifically tailored to their individual legislative and business goals.

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CONTACT: Michael Barrio
         505-338-4228
         [email protected]