R.J. O'Brien Promotes Bonniwell to Vice President of Strategic Planning

CHICAGO, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- R.J. O'Brien & Associates (RJO), the largest independent futures brokerage firm in the United States, announced the promotion of Kirk R. Bonniwell to the newly created position of Vice President of Strategic Planning.  

A Certified Public Accountant, Bonniwell joined RJO in 2007 as Director of Finance, and he was promoted to Director of Business Development in 2008.  In his new role as Vice President of Strategic Planning, he will be responsible for developing and implementing corporate strategic and tactical plans and executing strategies to support the firm's growth initiatives.  He will also help prioritize new business opportunities as well as evaluate and analyze relevant industry trends.

Gerry Corcoran, Chief Executive Officer of RJO, said: "Kirk's strong performance at RJO and previous experience have prepared him well for this important new role.  We look forward to his continued contributions toward further strengthening our offerings globally."

Previously, Bonniwell worked for several years at Bowe Bell + Howell, a global manufacturer and service provider.  He started there in 2003 as Senior Financial Analyst for the Wheeling, Ill. operations and was promoted the next year to Accounting Manager/Plant Controller.  In 2005, Bonniwell was named Director of Finance for the firm's Scanners Division, leading financial planning and short-term tactical initiatives as a member of the President's staff.  He also worked closely with a cross-functional team of sales, marketing and product management staff.

Bonniwell started his career at Price Waterhouse Coopers, LLP in San Jose in the Assurance and Business Advisory Practice.  In 2001, he joined KLA-Tencor Corporation as a Senior Financial Analyst.

A resident of Chicago, Bonniwell earned a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from the University of Iowa.  

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 80,000 client accounts, RJO services a global network of more than 290 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