WASHINGTON — Jennifer Johnston, vice president and research analyst in the municipal bond department of Franklin Templeton Investments, is the new chair of the National Federation of Municipal Analysts.
Johnston, who assumed the leadership of the group Jan. 1, replaces previous chair Susan Dushock, 2014 of Sun Trust Bank, NFMA announced on Monday.
Johnston joined the NFMA board in 2010, and has served on its executive committee for the past three years. Dushock will remain on the committee this year in an advisory capacity, the group said in a release.
Lisa Washburn, a managing director at Municipal Market Analytics, will serve as vice chair of for 2015. Julie Egan, senior vice president and portfolio manager at Community Capital Management, will move to Treasurer from her previous position as Secretary. Mary Francoeur a managing director at Assured Guaranty, will become Treasurer.
All three women have previously served in various leadership capacities with the NFMA. Founded in 1983, the group comprises some 1,400 members who are mainly research analysts tasked with evaluating municipal credits. The NFMA provides educational resources for market participants and has been a strong voice for improving issuer disclosure.
The group will hold its annual conference in Las Vegas May 12-15.
