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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Feb. 1, 2017) – National Credit Union Administration Acting Chairman J. Mark McWatters has named Sarah Vega as his Chief of Staff.

Vega has served as McWatters’ Senior Policy Advisor since he joined the NCUA Board in August 2014. Previously, she served as Senior Policy Advisor to former Board Member Michael E. Fryzel and as Fryzel’s Chief of Staff during his tenure as NCUA Board Chairman.

“Sarah has served NCUA and credit unions very well during her time at NCUA; she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role,” McWatters said. “Having served as my Senior Policy Advisor for the last two and a half years, I am confident that she will remain an asset to my efforts as NCUA’s Acting Chairman. I continue to value her advice and perspective as we tackle the challenges ahead.”

Vega has an extensive background in the areas of credit union law and regulation, securities law and public policy.

Vega is a former Director of the Illinois Department of Financial Institutions, and before being named Director, she served as the Administrator of the Department’s Credit Union Division, which regulates state-chartered credit unions. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank Chicago and was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors, serving as the Association’s Chairman from 1999 to 2000.

Prior to joining NCUA in 2008, she was in the private practice of law in Chicago specializing in securities, mergers and product liability cases. Her legal experience also includes being an enforcement attorney for the Securities Department of the Illinois Secretary of State.

Vega holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Juris Doctorate from DePaul University.