August 25, 2014

CFTC Names Christopher J. Kirkpatrick as Secretary of the Commission

Washington, DC — Christopher J. Kirkpatrick was named Secretary of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today. He will lead CFTC’s Office of the Secretariat. As Secretary, Mr. Kirkpatrick will manage the processes that bring matters to the Commission for consideration and action as it continues to implement the Dodd-Frank Act and proceeds with ongoing enforcement and market oversight activities. He will also play a key role in the preservation and management of the Commission’s records, including industry filings and rulemaking records.

“I am pleased that Mr. Kirkpatrick will take the helm of this office after serving as its Deputy and Acting Secretary for a year-and-a-half,” said CFTC Executive Director Anthony Thompson. “His proven expertise of the Sunshine Act and Federal Register requirements facilitated the publication of many complex, critical Commission proposed and final rules and other notices in the Federal Register.”

Prior to his arrival at the CFTC in February 2013, Mr. Kirkpatrick served for more than 11 years as an Attorney-Advisor for the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board in Washington, D.C. In that position, he provided counsel in a range of areas affecting multi-member independent agencies, including voting and meeting procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act and Sunshine Act, as well as information management and disclosure requirements. Originally from Pennsylvania, Mr. Kirkpatrick graduated from The George Washington University and its Law School in Washington, D.C., from which he earned his B.A., cum laude, and J.D. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar.

Mr. Kirkpatrick replaced Melissa Jurgens, who came to the Commission in January 2013 to serve as the Commission Secretary. Ms. Jurgens has been named Chief of the newly created Executive Secretariat Branch in the Office of Executive Director where she will oversee the Secretariat, Privacy, Records, the Library, and the Office of Proceedings.

Last Updated: August 25, 2014