Release: 5672-09
For Release: July 6, 2009

CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler Announces the Appointment of John P. Riley as Director of Legislative Affairs

Washington, DC – The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced today the appointment of John P. Riley as Director of Legislative Affairs.

Mr. Riley comes to the CFTC from the United States House of Representatives where he served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Committee on Agriculture, Chaired by Rep. Collin C. Peterson.  During his 18 year career at the Committee, Riley participated in its work on numerous laws including the Futures Trading Practices Act of 1992, the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000, and the CFTC Reauthorization Act of 2008 (included in the 2008 Farm Bill).

In announcing the appointment, CFTC Chairman Gensler said, “I welcome John as a member of the CFTC team.  His knowledge of Congress and the legislative process combined with his expertise in the regulation of derivatives will serve the Commission well in the challenges that lie ahead.”

Before joining the Agriculture Committee staff in 1989, Riley worked for seven years at the House Committee on Rules when it was chaired by Rep. Claude D. Pepper and Rep. John Joseph Moakley.  He also served in the personal office of Rep. Pepper from 1981 to 1983.

Riley earned an A.B. in Government from the College of William and Mary and an M.A. in Economics from Virginia Tech.  At Virginia Tech, he focused his studies on the valuation and regulation of financial derivatives.  He resides in Fairfax, Virginia, with his wife, Patty Ryan, and four children, Alice, Joseph, Timothy, and Bridget Riley-Ryan.

Media Contacts
Robert Holifield
202-418-5080

R. David Gary
202-418-5085

Last Updated: July 6, 2009