On 1 June 2026, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced the appointment of Dr. Patrick J. Schorno as Chief Economist. The appointment was announced by US CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig. Dr. Schorno will serve as economic adviser to the US CFTC and support economic analysis, regulatory cost benefit analysis, and research initiatives within the agency. The appointment comes as the US CFTC continues policy discussions concerning derivatives markets, digital assets, market structure, and regulatory coordination with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Dr. Schorno joins the US CFTC from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, where he previously served as Deputy Chief Economist.
Before joining the US CFTC, Dr. Schorno served as Deputy Chief Economist at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. His earlier professional experience includes positions at Ally Financial and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. He previously served as an Executive Director at Ally Financial and as a Financial Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. His academic research has been published in the Journal of Banking & Finance, the Journal of Financial Intermediation, and the Journal of Corporate Finance.
Dr. Schorno holds a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; an M.S. in Analytical Finance from Lehigh University; and a B.S. in Finance from Bentley University
US CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig stated:
“I am pleased to welcome Patrick to the CFTC as the chief economist. His expertise in financial regulation and experience in the financial services industry make him an excellent fit for the agency to ensure high quality, clear, and transparent economic analysis in support of the CFTC’s mission.”
Dr. Schorno stated:
“I am honored to join the CFTC as the chief economist. I would like to thank Chairman Selig for the opportunity to serve alongside the leadership team through rigorous, objective economic analysis that promotes confidence in U.S. derivatives markets, and to work closely with colleagues at the Securities and Exchange Commission on ongoing CFTC and SEC harmonization efforts.”
(Source: https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9243-26)
