[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 25 (Thursday, February 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF MR. JOHN R. COCHRAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 14, 2008

  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to reccognize Mr. John Cochran, Business Development Executive of 
Bank of America Card Services. John will retire this year from his 
position as a leader in a company with the largest credit card 
portfolio in North America, having over 40 million customers amounting 
to $190 billion in high-interest loans.
  During his time at Bank of America, John was responsible for all 
business development endeavors for Bank of America Card Services. Prior 
to the January 2006 merger with Bank of America, John was the chief 
operating officer of MBNA Corporation, which he also helped to found in 
1982. Under John's direction as head of Business Development, MBNA 
became a pioneer in issuing so-called ``affinity'' credit cards--cards 
endorsed by alumni associations, interest groups, professional 
organizations, clothing manufacturers, sports teams, and others. Cards 
emblazoned with the logo of a much-loved alma mater or team proved to 
be appealing to many consumers and, as a result of John's ingenuity, 
MBNA enjoyed runaway growth. Within 10 years, MBNA had become one of 
Delaware's largest employers, and remains so today under the Bank of 
America name. John is also the person behind Bank of America's 3 major 
affinity relationships: the National Education Association, Ducks 
Unlimited, and the American Automobile Association, all 3 of which will 
celebrate 27 years of successful marketing agreements with Bank of 
America this year.
  John was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Loyola 
College, where he currently sits on the board and has served as its 
chairman. Though not a Delaware native, John contributes to the State 
of Delaware in more ways than just furthering private sector 
development. John is a member of the board of directors of the Delaware 
Council for Economic Education. He is also a member of the board of 
trustees of the Delaware Public Policy Institute.
  I acknowledge Mr. John Cochran for his many years of service and 
numerous contributions to Bank of America, the credit card industry, 
and the State of Delaware. I am confident that as he enjoys his 
retirement with his wife and children, and cheers for his beloved 
Baltimore Orioles, he will remain an active and influential member of 
our community.

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