<p>ARLINGTON, Va.-Brad Thaler has been promoted from NAFCU's associate director, to director of legislative and political affairs for the lobby group. He is charged with managing the association's lobbying team and grassroots and political action fundraising efforts. Thaler has served as the associate director of the department since 1999. During his time at the trade association, he has lobbied on a wide variety of key credit union issues, assisted in building the Government Action Network and planning the annual Congressional Caucus. Prior to joining NAFCU, Thaler was a legislative representative for the Federal Managers Association in Alexandria, Va. Hailing from Michigan, Thaler was active in state politics, serving as campaign manager for State House Democratic Leader Mike Hanley's 1996 re-election campaign and assistant to the director for the State Senate Democratic Caucus.</p>