The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) named four new members to its board of trustees. Last fall, NFCC member agencies voted “overwhelmingly” to shuffle the governance, the association said today in a press statement. The new board members signal a transition from a board of trustees composed exclusively of member agency representatives, to a board including national thought leaders. NFCC said the new structure aligns with its goal to promote “a national culture of financial responsibility” by adding diverse members of the industry to the board. “[H]aving national influencers of this caliber will enhance the opportunity for all members to better serve consumers during these very difficult times,” said NFCC spokesperson Gail Cunningham in an e-mail. Joining the board is former Comptroller of the Currency Robert Clarke and US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) general counsel Nelson Diaz. “The present turmoil in the world’s financial markets has demonstrated how far in debt many of our citizens found themselves with no understanding of how they got there or how to return to financial stability,” Clarke said in a statement. “NFCC and its members play an important role in bringing about the financial literacy that is so badly needed in our society and I am pleased to have the opportunity to help continue and expand their mission.” Also joining is Kevin Rhein, a member of the Federal Reserve Board‘s Consumer Advisory Council, which advises the board on the exercise of its responsibilities under the Consumer Credit Protection Act and other issues in the area of consumer financial services. Additionally, chairman of the board of directors for the Money Management International Financial Education Foundation, Ivan Hand, joins the NFCC board of trustees. Write to Diana Golobay.