<p>NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. and BRISBANE, Calif. – A alliance between three experts in the fields of CUSO legal, regulatory, accounting, tax and strategic issues that will serve as a "resource center for credit unions and CUSOs" is in the final stages of development. The alliance partners include Tom Davis, director for NACUSO and president management consulting firm Davis & Co.; Guy Messick, general counsel for NACUSO and an attorney in private practice with the form of Lastowka & Messick, P.C.; and Gene O'Rourke, director in charge of the National Credit Union Consulting Division of RSM McGladrey, Inc., and partner in charge of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP. The formal name for the alliance will be CUSO Advisors Network. At press time, O'Rourke told Credit Union Times that "it will launch shortly." The Network will have its own Web site. At press time, that was still under development. According to O'Rourke, Messick will provide regulatory and legal advice on CUSOs; Davis will offer product and strategic advice concerning CUSOs; and O'Rourke will provide advice on taxes, accounting practices for CUSOs. "There are some fairly complicated tax and accounting issues for CUSOs converting to limited liability corporations," said O'Rourke, which is an increasingly common occurance. O'Rourke said the three partners began discussing the idea of setting up the consulting network during CUNA's 2001 GAC. "It's really been more of a `gentlemen's agreement' for the most part between us," said O'Rourke. "Our intention is to set up an alliance that will help credit unions execute strategies for developing CUSO products and services." He said the three plan to send out letters about the CUSO Advisors Network to some of the larger credit unions that have CUSOs to introducing the service to them. He added that other partners will be able to join the Network in the future. "If someone feels they have an expertise in an area that's pertinent to CUSOs, they will be invited to join," said O'Rourke. [email protected]</p>