With over two decades of experience at the forefront of digital asset financial technology (FinTech) integration across the entire spectrum of financial service company operations, I bring a strategic and analytical approach, underpinned by a deep understanding of cryptocurrency markets, digital asset financial management, compliance, and regulatory frameworks.
Career Highlights
I have a proven track record in the design and deployment of bespoke trading platforms tailored to the unique needs of clients and independent financial entities, exemplified by driving a remarkable 1,200% increase in Assets Under Management (AUM) for Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc.
Recognized for exceptional leadership abilities, I have consistently cultivated high-performance trading and software engineering teams, achieving retention rates that surpass industry standards.
Demonstrated innovation and thought leadership by co-creating and introducing Telcoin's stablecoin concept to key stakeholders within the banking industry.
Instrumental in advancing Telcoin’s strategic legislative initiatives, my direct involvement has been pivotal in the enactment of supportive financial regulations.
Key visionary in charting the company's DeFi strategy and direction, partnering across the executive team. Identify and seize opportunities to position Telcoin as an industry leader, grow business, extend the digital asset platform reach, and influence favorable legislation. Lead banking operations, including a cross-functional team and partnerships with mobile money platforms.
Paved the way for platform expansion by evaluating various vendors as on-ramps for the Telcoin application. Assessed companies with filters, such as customer cost, availability by country, licenses, banking connection, and delivery time. Presented to team members for follow-up with introductory calls.
Played a key role in gaining authorization of digital asset depository entities in Nebraska through legislative and regulatory advocacy, leading to passage of 2021 Nebraska Financial Innovation Act (NFIA). Promoted, educated, and lobbied for bill, meeting with Nebraska politicians and other agencies in Washington, DC and with banker's associations and civic leaders. Reviewed the WY Special Purpose Depository Act of 2020.
Partnered with CEO to pioneer a stablecoin to coincide with passage of NFIA. Researched fiat-backed and algorithmic stablecoins, attestation processes, national and international legislation, and market trends. Developed and presented stablecoin at Nebraska Bankers Association.
Integrated ACH collection operations with core bank. Manage ACH processing operations and collections from the app and monitor for potential fraud.
Prevented $1M+ in losses due to fraud. Identified and alerted team to attempt to deceive the KYC onboarding process.
Proprietary quantitative trading firm and privately-held quantitative futures fund with $1B in AUM and a focus on futures and OTC FX opportunities. 25+ year track record of trading global derivatives markets.
Execution Team Manager
Led international OTC FX and futures trading desk, software development, compliance, and market data for fund averaging $5B in monthly FX transactions and generating 500K+ futures contracts per month.
Steered a 12-member team of 4 traders and 8 software engineers. Oversaw co-located trade execution and managed direct market access in 4 data centers globally for exchanges not co-located. Built partnerships with trading technology providers. Point of contact with banks, brokerages, FXSpotStream, and 9 other liquidity providers. Led market data feed agreements with exchanges. Maintained CME and Eurex exchange memberships. Headed fulfillment of regulatory compliance and due diligence requests.
Decreased HFT FX trading costs by integrating streaming of 1 million NDF prices into co-located servers, coordinating with engineers of the FX pricing engine.
Streamlined market data contracts and reduced costs by improving data quality and availability. Consolidated technology providers (Bloomberg and Reuters) and enhanced data collection for time periods needed, data types, and breadth of data.
Scaled capabilities by recruiting to enlarge the team, hiring 3 traders, 2 software engineers, and a consultant with 85% retention for 2+ years. Sourced top talent by posting jobs, leveraging network of contacts, and outsourcing with recruiters.
Reduced bank, vendor, and futures broker fees, expanded access to services, and maintained open lines of communication by strengthening existing relationships. Contacted sales representatives to facilitate introductions.