Commodity Futures Trading Commission Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Commodity Futures Trading Commission has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, regulatory oversight, technology, and financial management.

Committed to market integrity, Commodity Futures Trading Commission promotes transparency and protects participants from fraud while fostering innovation across U.S. derivatives markets.

Leadership Roles at Commodity Futures Trading Commission

  • Chief Executive Officer - Francisco Riordan
  • Chief Financial Officer - Richard Brandon
  • Chief Information Officer - Janaka Perera
  • Chief of Staff & Senior Counsel - Joseph Cisewski
  • Deputy Director - Richard Glaser
  • Deputy Director - Sarah Josephson
  • Deputy Director - Nancy Markowitz
  • Deputy Director - John Lawton
  • Francisco Riordan - Chief Executive Officer

    Francisco Riordan, the Chief Executive Officer at Commodity Futures Trading Commission, directs the overarching strategic vision for U.S. derivatives market regulation. Overseeing agency-wide policy initiatives, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the protection of market participants from fraud and manipulation. This leadership role involves constant engagement with federal stakeholders to maintain the integrity of futures and swaps markets. By prioritizing systemic risk mitigation, Francisco Riordan drives the agency toward long-term stability. The Chief Executive Officer also coordinates with international regulatory bodies to harmonize standards across global financial landscapes. Through rigorous enforcement of federal mandates, the Chief Executive Officer secures a fair environment for traders and clearing organizations. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer maintains the balance between fostering financial innovation and upholding the core regulatory protections necessary for a robust, transparent, and efficient national derivatives infrastructure.

    Richard Brandon - Chief Financial Officer

    Richard Brandon, the Chief Financial Officer at Commodity Futures Trading Commission, manages the budgetary planning and financial resource allocation for the entire agency. Overseeing the fiscal operations, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the agency maintains the necessary funding to support its regulatory and enforcement activities. This leadership role involves the strategic management of financial assets to optimize operational efficiency. By providing accurate financial reporting, Richard Brandon enables the leadership team to make informed decisions regarding resource distribution. The Chief Financial Officer coordinates with federal oversight bodies to ensure compliance with government accounting standards. Through the implementation of rigorous financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer safeguards the agency's resources against waste and mismanagement. This focus on fiscal responsibility supports the long-term sustainability of the agency's mission. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the agency possesses the financial capacity to protect market participants and maintain the integrity of U.S. derivatives markets.
    Richard Brandon

    Janaka Perera - Chief Information Officer

    Janaka Perera, the Chief Information Officer at Commodity Futures Trading Commission, architects the digital infrastructure required for secure data processing and market surveillance. Overseeing the agency's cybersecurity posture, the Chief Information Officer ensures the protection of sensitive financial information against evolving digital threats. This leadership role involves modernizing the technological systems used to analyze vast quantities of trade data. By implementing scalable cloud solutions, Janaka Perera enhances the efficiency of regulatory oversight operations. The Chief Information Officer collaborates with other C-suite leaders to integrate data-driven insights into the agency's decision-making processes. Through the deployment of advanced analytics, the Chief Information Officer supports the mission of maintaining market integrity. This focus on technological innovation allows the agency to keep pace with the rapid evolution of financial markets. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer provides the robust digital foundation necessary for the agency to fulfill its regulatory mandate effectively.
    Janaka Perera

    Joseph Cisewski - Chief of Staff & Senior Counsel

    Joseph Cisewski, the Chief of Staff & Senior Counsel at Commodity Futures Trading Commission, coordinates the daily operations and strategic priorities of the agency's leadership. Overseeing the flow of information between the executive office and various departments, the Chief of Staff & Senior Counsel ensures alignment with the agency's core mission. This leadership role involves providing legal guidance on complex regulatory matters and policy initiatives. By facilitating communication across the organization, Joseph Cisewski promotes a cohesive approach to market oversight. The Chief of Staff & Senior Counsel manages high-level projects that address emerging challenges in the derivatives sector. Through the provision of expert legal counsel, the Chief of Staff & Senior Counsel mitigates risks associated with policy implementation. This focus on operational excellence supports the agency's ability to respond to market developments. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff & Senior Counsel ensures that the agency's strategic objectives are executed with precision and legal integrity.

    Richard Glaser - Deputy Director

    Richard Glaser, the Deputy Director at Commodity Futures Trading Commission, manages complex enforcement actions targeting market manipulation and fraudulent activities. Overseeing the investigation of illicit trading practices, the Deputy Director ensures compliance with federal derivatives regulations. This leadership role involves building robust legal frameworks to address systemic risks within the swaps market. By analyzing intricate trade data, Richard Glaser identifies patterns of misconduct that threaten market integrity. The Deputy Director collaborates with legal teams to prosecute violations, thereby deterring future malfeasance. Through the application of stringent regulatory guidance, the Deputy Director protects the interests of the general public and institutional traders alike. This operational focus on enforcement strengthens the overall credibility of the agency. Ultimately, the Deputy Director maintains the necessary oversight to ensure that all market participants adhere to the established rules governing the U.S. financial sector.

    Sarah Josephson - Deputy Director

    Sarah Josephson, the Deputy Director at Commodity Futures Trading Commission, leads the development of regulatory policies for clearing organizations and central counterparties. Overseeing the risk management standards for these critical entities, the Deputy Director ensures the stability of the financial system during periods of market volatility. This leadership role involves evaluating the operational resilience of clearing houses to prevent systemic failures. By implementing comprehensive oversight frameworks, Sarah Josephson promotes transparency in the clearing of futures and options. The Deputy Director coordinates with industry participants to refine margin requirements and collateral management practices. Through the continuous assessment of market infrastructure, the Deputy Director mitigates risks associated with large-scale derivatives transactions. This focus on institutional stability supports the broader mission of the agency. Ultimately, the Deputy Director secures the foundational elements of the U.S. derivatives market by enforcing rigorous safety and soundness standards for all clearing participants.

    Nancy Markowitz - Deputy Director

    Nancy Markowitz, the Deputy Director at Commodity Futures Trading Commission, manages the oversight of market surveillance programs to detect and prevent abusive trading behaviors. Overseeing the real-time monitoring of futures and options exchanges, the Deputy Director ensures that price discovery remains fair and competitive. This leadership role involves the deployment of advanced analytical tools to identify anomalies in trading volume and order flow. By maintaining constant vigilance over market activity, Nancy Markowitz protects the integrity of the financial system. The Deputy Director works closely with exchange operators to address potential vulnerabilities in trading platforms. Through the execution of proactive surveillance strategies, the Deputy Director minimizes the impact of market manipulation on the general public. This operational focus on market health supports the agency's goal of fostering a transparent trading environment. Ultimately, the Deputy Director ensures that all market participants operate within a secure and equitable regulatory framework.

    John Lawton - Deputy Director

    John Lawton, the Deputy Director at Commodity Futures Trading Commission, directs the policy development for swap dealer registration and conduct of business standards. Overseeing the regulatory requirements for entities operating within the swaps market, the Deputy Director ensures that these firms maintain adequate capital and risk management controls. This leadership role involves drafting rules that enhance transparency and accountability for over-the-counter derivatives. By engaging with industry stakeholders, John Lawton facilitates the implementation of effective compliance programs. The Deputy Director monitors the evolving landscape of swap transactions to identify emerging risks to the financial system. Through the application of consistent regulatory oversight, the Deputy Director promotes fair competition among market participants. This focus on institutional conduct strengthens the overall stability of the derivatives sector. Ultimately, the Deputy Director ensures that the regulatory environment remains responsive to the complexities of modern financial instruments and global market dynamics.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Commodity Futures Trading Commission Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Commodity Futures Trading Commission?
    Commodity Futures Trading Commission is led by Francisco Riordan (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Richard Brandon (Chief Financial Officer) and Janaka Perera (Chief Information Officer).
    Who is part of Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s executive team?
    The executive team of Commodity Futures Trading Commission includes leaders such as Francisco Riordan (Chief Executive Officer), Richard Brandon (Chief Financial Officer), Janaka Perera (Chief Information Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Commodity Futures Trading Commission have?
    Commodity Futures Trading Commission has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Commodity Futures Trading Commission includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief of Staff & Senior Counsel, Deputy Director.