[ by Howard Haykin ]

FINRA announced the promotion of Susan Axelrod to the position of Executive Vice President of Regulatory Operations.  Ms. Axelrod had been the head of FINRA's Member Regulation Sales Practice area.

In her new role, Ms. Axelrod will oversee (i) Enforcement, (ii) Office of Fraud Detection and Market Intelligence, and,  (iii) Member Regulation - Sales Practice, Risk Oversight and Operational Regulation and Shared Services.

Susan Axelrod will report directly to Richard "Rick" Ketchum, FINRA Chairman & CEO, who had this to say about FINRA's new EVP:

"Susan has dedicated her entire career to making sure investors are treated fairly. Her tremendous expertise across a wide range of FINRA's regulatory programs will support FINRA's critical mission to protect investors and ensure market integrity. The synergies among the departments Susan will be heading lend themselves to a single reporting relationship, and Susan's passion for protecting investors and unparalleled commitment to achieving results will stand American investors in good stead."

Mike Rufino will serve as acting head of the Sales Practice group.  He currently serves as COO of Member Regulation – Sales Practice.

Susan Axelrod's Professional Profile.   Before becoming head of Member Regulation Sales Practice, Ms. Axelrod was SVP and Deputy of Regulatory Operations, where she assisted in the oversight of Market Regulation, Enforcement and Member Regulation.

Prior to joining FINRA in 2007, Ms. Axelrod was Chief of Staff to the CEO of NYSE Regulation.  She began her career at NYSE in 1989 as a Staff Attorney in the Enforcement Division and became an Enforcement Director in 1997. 

Ms. Axelrod received her law degree from Hofstra Law and her bachelor's degree from Emory University. 

[ FINRA News Release, 4/22/13 ]

Contact the writer at:  Howard@Compliance-Insights.com.