On 22 January 2025, the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (US CFTC) announced significant leadership changes under Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham. The reshuffle reflects the transition to a new administration and ensures continuity in the Commission’s regulatory oversight across the derivatives and commodities markets. The announcement included interim appointments for positions within the US CFTC’s leadership team, highlighting the organisation’s focus on emerging financial technologies, market stability, and international engagement.
She announced a series of interim appointments across divisions, naming Harry Jung as Acting Chief of Staff, Meghan Tente as Acting General Counsel, and Taylor Foy as Acting Director of the Office of Public Affairs, among others. These appointments aim to advance the US CFTC’s mission while addressing critical areas such as crypto regulation, market oversight, and international collaboration.
Harry Jung: Acting Chief of Staff
Harry Jung, appointed as Acting Chief of Staff, will serve as Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham’s top advisor while spearheading the US US CFTC’s engagement on crypto, decentralised finance (DeFi), and digital assets. Harry joined the US CFTC in 2023 as a Senior Policy Advisor and Counselor to then-Commissioner Pham. Previously, he held leadership roles at Citigroup, where he worked in the Office of the CEO and Chief Administrative Officer and led regulatory strategy and digital asset engagements with US and global regulators. Harry also has experience at Morgan Stanley and FINRA. He holds a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law, a master’s degree from Georgetown University, and a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College.
Meghan Tente: Acting General Counsel
Meghan Tente has taken on the role of Acting General Counsel after a distinguished tenure at the US CFTC, which began in 2012. She has held multiple leadership roles, including Acting Director of the Division of Market Oversight, where she supervised derivatives exchanges and ensured compliance with regulatory requirements. Meghan has been recognised with multiple awards, including the US CFTC Chairman’s Awards for Excellence in Management and Exceptional Service. A graduate of Brown University and Cornell Law School, Meghan has a wealth of experience engaging with international regulators and overseeing market participants.
Taylor Foy: Acting Director, Office of Public Affairs
Taylor Foy, named Acting Director of the Office of Public Affairs, joined the US CFTC in 2024 as a Senior Advisor to then-Commissioner Pham, focusing on public relations and external communications. Before joining the US CFTC, Taylor spent nearly 14 years on Capitol Hill, serving as Communications Director for the Senate Judiciary, Senate Finance, and Senate Budget Committees. His expertise spans tax and trade policy, government spending, and accountability. A graduate of Doane University, Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and studied Business Administration.
Nicholas Elliot: Acting Director, Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
Nicholas Elliot, now Acting Director of the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, previously served as a Policy Advisor and Confidential Assistant to then-Commissioner Pham. He was also the Alternate Designated Federal Officer of the Global Markets Advisory Committee. Before joining the US CFTC, Nicholas worked for US Senator Bill Hagerty, focusing on financial services, banking, and legislative priorities, including the Digital Trading Clarity Act. A graduate of Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, Nicholas holds a BS in Business Administration with a Finance major and a Mandarin minor.
Amanda Olear: Acting Director, Division of Market Oversight
Amanda Olear, appointed Acting Director of the Division of Market Oversight, has been with the US CFTC since 2007. Her tenure includes roles such as Director of the Market Participants Division and Associate Director of the Managed Funds Section. Amanda has extensive experience in registration, compliance, and market oversight, having worked closely with futures commission merchants and swap dealers. She holds a JD with honours from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and a BA from McDaniel College, where she graduated summa cum laude.
Richard Haynes: Acting Director, Division of Clearing and Risk
Richard Haynes, the new Acting Director of the Division of Clearing and Risk, has been with the US CFTC for a decade, most recently serving as Deputy Director of the Risk Surveillance Branch. His work has focused on systemic risk in cleared derivatives and international policy recommendations. Richard co-authored multiple academic papers on market structure and regulatory policy and previously worked as a trader and quant in New York and Hong Kong. He earned a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Chicago.
Tom Smith: Acting Director, Market Participants Division
Tom Smith, a veteran of the US CFTC since 1992, has been appointed Acting Director of the Market Participants Division. Over his nearly three-decade career, Tom has worked as an Attorney Advisor in the Office of Proceedings and as Special Counsel in the Division of Trading and Markets. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director of the Market Participants Division, focusing on capital, margin, and customer fund segregation. Tom holds a degree in accounting from Manhattan College and a JD from George Mason University.
Brian Young: Acting Director, Division of Enforcement
Brian Young, named Acting Director of the Division of Enforcement, joined the US CFTC in 2024 as Director of the Whistleblower Office. With nearly 20 years at the Department of Justice, Brian has a distinguished career prosecuting high-profile cases, including fraud and antitrust violations. He previously served as Acting Director of Litigation for the DOJ’s Antitrust Division and successfully litigated landmark cases involving LIBOR manipulation and futures market spoofing. Brian holds a JD and began his legal career as a clerk for the Hon. Alice M. Batchelder of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Mauricio Melara: Acting Director, Office of International Affairs
Mauricio Melara, appointed Acting Director of the Office of International Affairs, has been with the US CFTC since 2010, focusing on cross-border issues and foreign regulatory systems. He has provided expert advice on international developments impacting the US CFTC’s mission and served as Special Counsel in the Division of Market Oversight. Before joining the US CFTC, Mauricio worked in private practice at prominent law firms and as a trading officer. He earned his JD from Fordham University School of Law and a BS from NYU Stern School of Business.
Caroline D. Pham announced US CFTC leadership changes stating: “I’m pleased to announce US CFTC leadership changes with the beginning of the new Administration, and I want to recognize and thank former Chairman Behnam and his staff, as well as Steve Adamske, Director, Office of Public Affairs; Clark Hutchison, Director, Division of Clearing and Risk; Ian McGinley, Director, Division of Enforcement; Vince McGonagle, Director, Division of Market Oversight; Amanda Olear, Director, Market Participants Division; Suyash Paliwal, Director, Office of International Affairs; Rob Schwartz, General Counsel; and Ann Wright, Director, Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, who have been the US CFTC’s executive leadership team over the past several years. I am grateful for their combined many decades of faithful service to the US CFTC, and I appreciate our talented US CFTC staff who will be assuming these roles on an interim basis.”
(Source: https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9037-25)
