R.J. O'Brien Hires Industry Veteran Mark Sachs as Executive Vice President

CHICAGO, March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- R.J. O'Brien & Associates (RJO), the nation's oldest and largest independent futures brokerage and clearing firm, today announced that the firm has hired Mark B. Sachs, 48, as Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing. Sachs has more than 26 years of futures industry experience, primarily in leadership roles at the former entity widely regarded as the premier futures brokerage for individual investors.

For more than 10 years, Sachs served as President of Lind-Waldock, an independent retail futures brokerage firm founded in 1965 and acquired first by Refco in 2000 and later by Man Group in 2005.  Lind-Waldock was widely regarded as the largest and most successful futures brokerage geared toward individual investors.

In his new role at RJO, Sachs will focus on the firm's strategic growth in several areas.  He will work closely with RJO Futures to create and implement new initiatives and tools for the firm's private client division, which has been servicing thousands of new accounts that were transferred from MF Global in early November.  Sachs will also be responsible for launching new branding efforts company-wide, as well as partnering with other members of RJO management to enhance sales strategy for the firm.

Gerald Corcoran, RJO Chairman & CEO, said:  "I've known and respected Mark for a long time and have been continually impressed with his achievements, leadership and professionalism. I'm thrilled to have him on board with RJO and look forward to his contributions to leveraging the tremendously strong base the firm has built over the past 98 years."

Sachs said:  "RJO is extremely well respected in the industry and enjoys a hard-earned reputation for outstanding client service.  I'm very excited to play a role in the continued growth of this terrific firm with such a strong heritage and quality management team."

Sachs began his career in 1986 at Lind-Waldock as an account executive, quickly distinguishing himself as one of the top three brokers in the group of 20 who then served retail, managed futures and commodity pool accounts.  After four years, he was named General Manager for Lind-Waldock & Co. in London, where he established and directed the firm's first overseas operation focused on retail, corporate and managed futures business for clients in the United Kingdom and continental Europe. In that role, he served as the senior executive responsible for sales, trading, operations, risk and compliance.

After successfully growing the firm's presence in Europe, Sachs established Lind-Waldock's Pacific Rim operation by managing a newly created joint venture in partnership with an Indonesian international bank.  After setting up all aspects of the operation as General Manager, Lind Asia Limited, he returned to Chicago in 1996 to serve as Manager of both the firm's International Operations and its key corporate relationships with firms including Charles Schwab and Dean Witter.  From 1998 to 1999, he was Director, Trading Operations, overseeing corporate, electronic execution and trading desks for the firm's domestic and international markets.

Sachs left Lind-Waldock for 18 months in 1999 to serve as Senior Vice President, Business Development at Vision LP, a futures brokerage and clearing firm.  After Refco acquired Lind-Waldock, the firm asked Sachs to return in 2001 and lead the Lind-Waldock Division as President.  

In 1986, Sachs earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois in Champaign. A native of Flossmoor, Ill., Sachs lives in Deerfield with his wife and two daughters.

About R.J. O'Brien

Founded in 1914, RJO is the largest independent futures brokerage firm in the United States.  The firm offers state-of-the-art electronic trading technology and 24-hour trade execution on every futures exchange worldwide.  Clearing more than 100,000 client accounts, RJO services a global network of more than 400 introducing brokers and many of the world's largest financial, industrial and agricultural institutions.  For more information, please visit www.rjobrien.com. 

SOURCE R.J. O'Brien & Associates