<p>ALEXANDRIA, Va.-In one of her first interviews with the credit union trade press, newly inaugurated NCUA Board Member JoAnn Johnson said that she would like to leave a favorable fingerprint on the agency. "When I leave here, I hope to have good things said: a good manager and a good regulator," Johnson said. The current recess appointee should have a time to make her mark. She said that she has met with Senate Banking Chairman Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.) and that he expects to hold a confirmation hearing "sooner rather than later." It could take place as early as February before Congress recesses again. After confirmation by the entire Senate, Johnson will serve until August 2, 2007. Her potential full, six-year term was cut slightly short after former NCUA Board Member Yolanda Wheat served beyond her natural term, which expired in August 2001, until the end of last year. For now though, Johnson says, "Everyday is getting a bit easier [at NCUA]." She is busy learning the ropes of the agency and the staff, as well as familiarizing herself with credit union issues. The heat is on with the NCUA's next board meeting this week. While Johnson said she was not yet familiar enough with some issues, like the Community Action Plan, to discuss specifics, she did note one area that was similar to her experience in the Iowa legislature: streamlining, which has been at the top of NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar's `to do' list. She added that streamlining of the budget and regulations was simply a matter of good management. Johnson said she also felt the three current board members are a good mix of personalities and should work well together. Though, overall, a feeling of camaraderie pervaded the NCUA Board meetings over the past year, this has not always been the case historically with the agency. Johnson, who lived in Iowa while serving in the state legislature, is currently commuting an hour from her mother-in-law's in Fredericksburg, Va.. Johnson and her husband, a political consultant in Iowa, are looking for a home-noting the huge price difference from Iowa-in Virginia. Her husband will be joining her once the State Senate recesses. Johnson added that she loves the vegetation of the area and is hoping to find a home where she can do a lot of gardening. The relocation is also prime for some of Johnson's other interests. She emphasized that she was very interested in visiting the museums and theater that the Washington, D.C.-metro area has to offer. [email protected]</p>