U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Timothy Massad has announced his staff hires as he starts his chairmanship. These individuals will work with the chairman to set the agenda of the Commission and to carry out the responsibilities of implementing the Dodd-Frank Act and ensuring compliance with the Commission’s regulations. The announcement follows Chairman Massad naming Aitan Goelman to lead the agency’s Division of Enforcement.
“I am delighted that these talented and experienced individuals will serve the Commission,” said Chairman Massad. “We have a lot of work to do, so I am pleased this initial staff will begin work shortly to strengthen the already excellent staff at the CFTC, and will work with me to tackle the many issues confronting the agency.”
Clark Ogilvie, Chief of Staff:
Clark Ogilvie comes from the staff of the House Agriculture Committee and Ranking Member Congressman Collin Peterson. Mr. Ogilvie is a veteran of three farm bills and two CFTC reauthorizations. He also played a key role in crafting the derivatives title of the Dodd-Frank Act and has been working on the latest CFTC reauthorization recently passed by the House Ag Committee. Originally from Memphis, Tenn., and a 1991 graduate from Rhodes College and 2004 law school graduate from George Washington University, Mr. Ogilvie started his career on Capitol Hill working for Senator Jim Sasser (D-TN). He subsequently worked for Vice President Al Gore, rising to the position of Deputy Director for Correspondence. After a brief stint at the D.C. law firm Hogan & Hartson, Mr. Ogilvie returned to Capitol Hill to work for Congressman Bob Etheridge (D-NC) before joining the Agriculture Committee.
Jonathan Marcus, General Counsel:
Chairman Massad has asked Jonathan L. Marcus to continue his service as the General Counsel of the CFTC. Appointed by the Commission in April 2013, Mr. Marcus previously was the Deputy General Counsel for Litigation. In that position, he handled challenges to the CFTC’s Dodd-Frank rules, including the successful defense in the D.C. Circuit of the agency’s rule requiring certain investment companies registered with the SEC to register with the CFTC and report information. Before joining the CFTC, Mr. Marcus was an appellate litigator at Covington & Burling LLP from 2007 to 2011. Mr. Marcus also served at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he represented the United States in the Supreme Court as an Assistant to the Solicitor General from 2004 to 2007, and in the Federal Courts of Appeals as an appellate lawyer in the Criminal Division from 1998 to 2004. Mr. Marcus began his career as a law clerk to Judge José A. Cabranes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and is a graduate of Yale Law School.
Cory Claussen, Director of Legislative Affairs:
Cory Claussen comes to the CFTC after serving as Senior Professional Staff for Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. During his nearly seven years in the Senate, his portfolio has included issues related to CFTC-regulated markets, agricultural credit (ranging from USDA loan programs to the Farm Credit System), beginning farmers, dairy policy, and bio-based products. Prior to working for Chairwoman Stabenow, Mr. Claussen worked on the Committee under Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) as well as Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA). While on the Committee, he has worked on legislation, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the 2008 and 2013 Farm Bills. Mr. Claussen is originally from Iowa and holds a BA from Drake University and an MPP from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Lawranne Stewart, Interim Senior Counsel:
Lawranne Stewart is serving as Interim Senior Counsel in the office of Chairman Massad, a position she started during the time Commissioner Wetjen was Acting Chairman. She previously served as Chief Counsel to the Financial Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, spending a total of 13 years on committee staff, where she had major roles in federal housing policy, securities law, derivatives, TARP and the Dodd-Frank Act. Prior to that, Ms. Steward worked at the Department of Treasury as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Domestic Finance and as Associate Director of government securities regulation in the Bureau of Public Debt. She began her service in the Legal Division of the Federal Reserve Board after graduating from NYU Law School.
Steven Adamske, Director of Public Affairs:
Chairman Massad also asked that Steven Adamske continue his role as the agency’s spokesperson and Director of Public Affairs. Mr. Adamske, who has held this role for three years, has overseen the communications strategy and outreach efforts for more than 65 final rules, orders and guidance documents to implement the Dodd-Frank Act. Prior to joining the Commission, Mr. Adamske served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Treasury Department, where he had a specialty in Domestic Finance and oversaw communications for the Dodd-Frank Act, the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and the Government Sponsored Enterprises of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Prior to that, Mr. Adamske was a senior staff member and Communications Director for the House Financial Services Committee and Rep. Barney Frank, and he also served in press roles for Senator Jon Corzine (D-N.J.), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), and Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.). Mr. Adamske also served in the Clinton Administration as an advance and scheduling aide to Vice President Al Gore and held press positions at the Department of Interior and the Federal Communications Commission. Mr. Adamske is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine.