Tom Koonce to join MBA as VP of legislative affairs

John A. Courson, chief executive officer of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), has announced that Tom Koonce will join the association as  vice president of legislative affairs, effective Nov. 2, 2009. In this role, Koonce will lead MBA's day-to-day lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, working with Members of Congress and their staff on issues important to MBA's members. He will report to Steve O'Connor, MBA's senior vice president of government affairs. "We are very fortunate to have someone with Tom's expertise leading MBA's legislative team," said Courson. "Tom has valuable experience working on the Hill on issues related to housing and mortgage finance, and he knows how to work with a variety of constituencies in a major trade association." Koonce comes to MBA from the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA) where he served as assistant vice president of federal government affairs. In that role, he was responsible for advocating on behalf of the interests of IIABA members and developing federal legislative strategy for the association. "Tom brings important political savvy and legislative know-how to the MBA team," said Steve O'Connor, MBA's senior vice president of government affairs. "He knows our issues and he knows his way around Capitol Hill. He will be a great asset to MBA and our members." Prior to IIABA, Koonce held a number of positions in the private sector as well as on Capitol Hill, including as legislative director for Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC). Koonce earned his BA in political science at Davidson College and his JD at William and Mary School of Law. For more information, visit MortgageBankers.org.