Nick Ronalds

Experience

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  CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE (CME)

  Jun 1983 - Jul 1985

  Senior Analyst, Research

  Led the development of energy futures contracts, including ones for crude oil, gasoline, and heating oil. Also worked on a variety of other contracts, such as seafood, coal, etc.

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  CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE (CME), Chicago, IL

  Jun 1985 - Jul 1987

  Senior Manager, CME Clearing House

  As the Chicago operations manager in the clearing house, managed a staff to oversee billions of dollars of commodity and financial products deliveries monthly. Developed an expertise in understanding the mechanisms and risks of clearing platforms.

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  Chicago Mercantile Exchange

  Jan 1987 - Jan 1994

  Managing Director, Asia Pacific

  As the only employee of both the CME and the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) prior to the merger of the exchanges, headed business development for the joint Asia / Pacific office.• Merged the two offices of CME and CBOT, saving the exchanges $2M annually.• Instrumental in increasing by about 900% the volume of Japanese users of these markets. Grew the Asian exchange memberships from zero to about 20% of the total exchanges’ memberships.• Introduced the first non-Japanese trading terminals in Japan by negotiating with the Ministry of Finance. • Developed Malaysia’s futures brokerage certification exam in a consulting contract between CME and the Malaysian authorities.• Invited by the Chinese authorities in 1989 with subsequent further invitations, instructed them on how to establish and manage a futures exchange. Watched and advised the emergence of China’s first commodity futures markets and then the evolution into the current structure of three commodity exchanges and one financial futures exchange. Show less

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  Sanwa Futures

  Jun 1995 - Jun 1996

  Director of Marketing

  Marketed futures products to potential clients and provided in-depth seminars and instructions to existing clients on the use of futures and options for investing and risk management. Main focus were clients and prospects in Asia and Japan in particular.

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  ABN AMRO

  Jun 1996 - Jul 2006

  Senior Vice President

  As the global marketing manager for this 400-person futures and options brokerage, guided global client relationship managers on advising institutional brokerage clients (who generated $40M-$50M annually in brokerage fees) regarding their risk management strategies for all exchange-traded derivatives. Gave numerous seminars to financial and commodity-trading institutions around the world regarding hedging and trading strategies for financial portfolios and commodity risks. Counseled many major institutions in locations in Australia, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South America, and Taiwan.• Played crucial new business role with central banks, major financial institutions, and natural resources firms.• As a key member of the core team, created the first futures brokerage joint venture in China, which was a joint venture with China Galaxy Securities, China’s largest securities firm. Show less

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  Becker Professional Review

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2004

  Instructor

  Served as part-time instructor for Levels I, II, and III of the derivatives portions of CFA exam.

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  UBS Investment Bank

  Jul 2006 - Jun 2007

  Director, International Marketing

  As the result of the acquisition by UBS of the futures division of ABN AMRO, joined UBS futures and exchange-traded derivatives group as an advisor to institutional clients on the usage of listed derivatives to trade and manage risk. Created client-focused, research-based solutions for major institutions.• Developed a significant stream of clients engaging UBS/ABN as their brokerage and clearing service provider.  As the only Chartered Financial Analyst on the sales and marketing division of UBS and ABN AMRO, requested for meetings with the most sophisticated potential clients about complex asset management approaches, e.g., met with Brazilian central bank, European central banks, etc. Worked with senior traders at major hedge funds and central banks to help them understand how to use financial futures and options to better manage their interest rate risk exposures. Show less

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  RhoFinancial

  Aug 2007 - Jan 2013

  President

  Formed this consulting firm to provide financial consulting, risk advisory, and Asian market development. • Performed strategic due diligence for a premier futures exchange that was interested in exploring an equity stake in an Asian start-up exchange. Saved client from investing in an incompatible product with projections that could not be verified.• Advised one of the world’s largest hedge funds and a top-three global derivatives market maker on how to enter the China market, which both companies then did successfully.• Developed curricula and was a regular instructor for Chicago Institute of Investment, teaching senior Chinese financial professionals use and characteristics of investment markets and products, with an emphasis on futures and derivatives.• Worked with a number of securities firms, a major global derivatives exchange, and many investment banks regarding their specific informational and strategic questions about Chinese/Asian commodity/futures markets.• Created FIA Asia, an Asia-based industry association, for the Futures Industry Association (FIA): as Executive Director of FIA Asia, recruited members, developed benefits, opened and staffed the Hong Kong office, created educational programs, and delivered lectures and seminars throughout Asia. Report to a Board of 15 directors, a parent-affiliate (FIA) and FIA’s management, staff, and Board. • Grew membership over 200% to include every notable exchange and brokerage firm in Asia’s derivative space. Recruited many significant Chinese firms, such as: the China Financial Futures Exchange, the Dalian Exchange, the Zhengzhou Exchange, and Beijing Futures Association, into joint initiatives.• Exceeded FIA Asia gross and net revenue targets every year. Show less

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  Asia Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA)

  Jan 2013 - now

  Managing Director, Equities

  Responsible for• Developing a strong voice for Asian market participants and advocating their views at national, regional and global levels; • Developing a constructive dialogue on market and regulatory policy with policymakers, regulators and other relevant stakeholders; • Contributing technical expertise to further the growth and development of Asian financial markets; • Advocating for transparency in regulation and regulatory change and consistency and fairness in their application; • Contributing to the integration and harmonisation of Asian financial markets with global standards and best practices; • Building relationships with members and regulators; and • Identifying and recruiting new members. Show less

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  RhoFinancial LLC

  Sept 2017 - now

  Managing Director