This week, the American Financial Services Association welcomed its new vice president of communications.

Taking on this role for the national trade association for the consumer credit industry is Ed McFadden.

AFSA indicated McFadden will play a crucial role in expanding the association’s mission of ensuring access to safe and important consumer credit products. Officials added the hire will allow AFSA to provide an even greater level of service to their membership.

“I am thrilled that Ed McFadden has joined AFSA,” AFSA president and chief executive officer Bill Himpler said. “Ed brings a depth of high-level and strategic communications experience that will take AFSA’s prominence to the next level and help advance access to credit for all Americans.”

During the past 25 years, McFadden has worked as a writer and editor, a political and corporate speechwriter and directed public policy communications for Verizon. He most recently served as the chief communications officer for the Archdiocese of Washington.