Release: 5390-07

For Release: September 26, 2007

CFTC Acting Chairman Walt Lukken Announces
the Appointment of Michael Loesch to Serve as Chief of Staff

Washington, DC – The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Acting Chairman Walt Lukken today announced that Michael Loesch will join the agency as his Chief of Staff, effective October 1, 2007.

Mr. Loesch joins the CFTC from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) where he has served as counsel to Chairman Christopher Cox since January 2007. In that capacity, he has advised Chairman Cox on a broad range of legal and policy issues related to the agency’s enforcement and examination programs. Prior to joining Chairman Cox’s staff, Mr. Loesch worked in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement as Branch Chief and Senior Counsel from 2000 to 2006. During his tenure in the SEC’s Enforcement Division, Mr. Loesch supervised a number of complex enforcement investigations in several major program areas. His work contributed to significant SEC enforcement actions involving broker-dealer fraud, public company accounting, and market manipulation.

“Michael brings a breadth of financial policy, enforcement and regulatory experience to the job and the CFTC is fortunate to have him in this role,” said CFTC Acting Chairman Walt Lukken. “Michael’s steady leadership will be invaluable as the CFTC continues its mission of protecting the public from market abuse and fostering market innovation and global growth through the CFTC’s principles-based regulatory structure.”

“Michael Loesch is an exceptional leader who has distinguished himself at the SEC through his extraordinary and tireless commitment to the protection of investors,” said SEC Chairman Christopher Cox.  “Not only will the CFTC and the investing public benefit greatly from his dedication and integrity, but the working partnership of the CFTC and SEC—so critical in this era of fast-changing global markets—will be further strengthened.”

Prior to his SEC service, Mr. Loesch worked in the United States Senate as a Counsel to the Committee on Governmental Affairs and served as an aide to Senator Thad Cochran.

Mr. Loesch received his undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University and earned his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.

Media Contacts
Ianthe Zabel
202-418-5080

R. David Gary
202-418-5085

Last Updated: September 26, 2007