DENVER – For James D. Holt, the former Wichita lawyer slated to become president of the Colorado Credit Union League in June 2002, the next eight months will be a "great learning period for me," he said. Indeed, the 51-year-old ex-lobbyist for the Kansas Credit Union Association looks on this period as a time "to examine what structural changes should be made" in Colorado League operations "that will fit me," said Holt. For one thing, Holt does not expect to name a successor to his job as Colorado League executive vice president, a post he has held since last May. "That was a job that was kind of created for me, and I may decide to eliminate the position and assimilate the functions with other individuals in the League," Holt explained. Two League areas he does expect to focus on are developing CU strategies for attracting member business loans and communication technology. "I'd like to see the League provide leadership and direction in helping credit union managers identify and develop the best ideas and practices for member business loans," said Holt. Moreover, the League can do more, he said, in helping CUs find the ultimate means to communicate with members whether it be wireless technology, Internet or other mechanisms. "And that needs to be done for individual members and for businessmen," he added. Holt said Sept. 11′s events are certain to bring about a new examination of privacy and security issues on all financial institutions including CUs as "member accounts are scrutinized" for terrorist plots. In addition, there is new emphasis on "firewall protection" as it relates to anti-hackers and anti-virus technology. Holt said at the moment he sees no future move to reduce staff at the League. "On the contrary, I think we're running pretty lean, and based on the processing growth we're getting, I see no need to scale back," said Holt. The Colorado EVP does expect to carefully study the management style of his retiring predecessor, Carroll Beach, since "he has an ability to find people of quality." He also plans to emulate his approach with Colorado lawmakers and Congressmen in the district in developing a very close "first name" relationship. Holt, a native of Russell, Kan, received his undergraduate degree in psychology at Washburn University in Topeka, and in 1987 received his law degree from the University of Kansas. To finance his college expenses, Holt worked for a time as a teller at a Topeka CU, and it was there that he met Beach. The Colorado League president was a lobbyist for the Kansas League and had used the CU office near the state capitol to handle copying work. Holt and Beach became friends and eventually Beach recommended Holt for a lobbying job at the Kansas League and later a similar job at the Colorado League. Holt began with the Kansas League in 1973 as director of governmental affairs and was later promoted to executive vice president but resigned in 1984 to attend law school. He later became partner in a Wichita law firm, Bruce, Bruce & Holt, which he joined in 1987 and which did work for Kansas CUs. In law school, he served on the Kansas Criminal Procedure Review Staff and was chief justice of the University of Kansas Traffic Court as well as president of the Christian Legal Society. – [email protected]