FINRA Strengthens External Relations Leadership with Two Senior Appointments

Chris Rosello Heads Global Government Affairs and Chris Spina Heads Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FINRA announced today two key additions to our senior leadership team to enhance engagement with regulators, policymakers, industry stakeholders and the media.

Chris Rosello joined FINRA on April 6 as Senior Vice President, Global Government Affairs, bringing together the Office of Government Affairs and the Office of International Affairs under unified leadership. Based in Washington, D.C., Rosello oversees FINRA's strategic engagement with federal, state and international regulators, Congress and other key stakeholders on legislative and regulatory matters affecting the securities industry.

Chris Spina joined FINRA today as Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications. Also based in Washington, D.C., Spina leads FINRA's strategic communications, media relations and public engagement efforts to advance FINRA’s mission of protecting investors and safeguarding market integrity, while strengthening relationships with key audiences.

Both senior leaders report to Marcia Asquith, Executive Vice President, Board and External Relations at FINRA, and bring extensive experience at the intersection of financial regulation, government relations and strategic communications.

"In today's rapidly changing environment, staying connected with our stakeholders has never been more vital. Chris Rosello and Chris Spina are outstanding leaders who bring deep experience and strong relationships across the regulatory and business communities. They have a proven ability to build meaningful connections and work through complex challenges. I am confident they will help us strengthen our partnerships and better communicate how FINRA protects investors and keeps our markets fair and trustworthy. We are thrilled to welcome them to the team,” said Asquith.

Chris Rosello has more than 25 years of experience in corporate government relations and public service. Most recently, he served as Vice President and Head of Federal Government Relations at MetLife, where he led the company's engagement with U.S. government regulators and elected officials on various policy initiatives and strategic priorities. His career includes key positions at HSBC Bank USA and Wells Fargo, where he advocated on regulatory and legislative matters.

He also has substantial government experience, having served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he played a significant role in legislative strategy for the Troubled Asset Relief Program and as Senior Advisor for Congressional Affairs at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. He spent eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives, including as Legislative Director and as professional staff on the House Financial Services Committee. He is a graduate of Albany State University and Johns Hopkins University.

Chris Spina brings nearly 25 years of experience in strategic communications, media relations and government affairs across some of the nation's most complex and highly regulated organizations. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Corporate Communications at Freddie Mac, where he led the company’s communications and government and industry relations functions. In that role, he developed integrated communications strategies to engage key stakeholders, including policymakers, trade associations and industry influencers.

Prior to Freddie Mac, he held significant roles at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, where he served as Senior Advisor for Public Affairs to the agency chairman, developing public affairs strategies on a host of complex regulatory issues, including oversight of the derivatives markets. He also served as Communications Director for the House Committee on Financial Services, where he directed communications for the committee's ranking member and managed media relations on issues ranging from broker-dealer oversight and mortgage finance to capital markets rules and derivatives. He holds a J.D. from Catholic University's Columbus School of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from Providence College.

About FINRA

FINRA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to investor protection and market integrity. FINRA regulates one critical part of the securities industry—member brokerage firms doing business in the U.S. FINRA, overseen by the SEC, writes rules, examines for and enforces compliance with FINRA rules and federal securities laws, registers broker-dealer personnel and offers them education and training, and informs the investing public. In addition, FINRA provides surveillance and other regulatory services for equities and options markets, as well as trade reporting and other industry utilities. FINRA also administers a dispute resolution forum for investors and brokerage firms and their registered employees. For more information, visit www.finra.org.