[ by Howard Haykin ]

FINRA announced Monday that it's new EVP for Corporate Communications and Government Relations is set to join FINRA on 10/15/12.  You might also be interested to note that the new executive will not have to travel very far from his current job location.

Greg Ahern, who currently serves as Chief Public Communications Officer for the Investment Company Institute (ICI),works in Zip Code 20005.  With FINRA he'll be located in Zip Code, # 20006.  

While at the ICI, which is the mutual fund industry trade association, had was been responsible for all strategic communications for the past 7 years.  Prior to joining the ICI, Ahern worked for institutional money management firms in a variety of roles with increasing responsibility, heading up marketing and communications. During this period, he spent 8 years with State Street Corp. and 7 years at the Boston Company, both in Boston.

In his new role with FINRA, Ahern will be responsible for media, government relations, and investor education programs, and he’ll oversee FINRA's editorial production, design, and multimedia communications services. He also will assume oversight responsibilities for FINRA's Member Relations group.  This realignment will facilitate FINRA’s interaction with its various constituencies.

FINRA Chairman and CEO Richard ‘Rick’ Ketchum, had this to say about Mr. Ahern: "Greg brings significant communications and marketing experience to FINRA at an important time. He is smart, strategic and energetic and will help us focus our efforts to protect investors and communicate effectively with our many stakeholders including investors, the media, Congress and the industry."

For further details, go to:  [FINRA News Release, 9/10/12].