Chicago-based futures brokerage and clearing firm R.J. O’Brien & Associates (RJO) announced several promotions in the company today, giving new responsibilities to key executives.
Daniel Staniford will now be RJO’s Chief Sales Officer; Terry Gilhooly – Chief Operating Officer, North America; and Karen Northup – Global Solutions Officer.
RJO Chairman and CEO Gerald Corcoran commented on the news:
Dan has done a terrific job of growing our global institutional broker footprint, recruiting some very strong professionals to the firm. He places a strong emphasis on the culture here – which is unique and compelling – as a critical part of our value proposition, and he’s well positioned to spearhead all of our sales efforts globally, ensuring a cohesive strategy across regions.
As an important partner to the front office, our Operations teams provide critical platforms, processes and infrastructure. Terry – who excelled in our Commercial Grains division and has extensive operations experience – will work closely with Dan and other firm leaders to maximize efficiencies and enhance the experience of our clients. And Karen, who has successfully led our operational functions for many years, will assume responsibility for our newly created Global Solutions Group, ensuring that as we continue our global expansion, we dedicate resources to operational excellence in the design, implementation and management of all solutions firm-wide.
Staniford joined RJO in 2016 as Executive Director, in charge of the firm’s institutional business development in New York and London. He has more than 22 years of experience in sales and management at some of the world’s leading banks and financial services institutions. Prior to joining RJO, he spent 13 years at Citigroup Global Markets, serving most recently as Managing Director, Rates Sales. He spent the first seven years of his career at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Gilhooly has served since 2016 as Senior Director in the Commercial Agricultural division, running the Operations functions for the division, including the support of its Asian activities. He started his career at RJO in 1991 as a trading floor runner, remaining at the firm for nine years and ultimately managing the firm’s trading desks on the agricultural trading floor at the Chicago Board of Trade. Prior to RJO, he used to work for Merrill Lynch, State Street, and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Since 2007, Northup has served as RJO’s Chief Operating Officer, managing the firm’s Trading and Clearing Operations. Prior to joining RJO in 2004, Northup worked for Citadel Investment Group, A.T. Kearney, Morgan Stanley’s global custody business.