Shuman and Vroman, who have worked together in CME’s corporate development area in previous roles, will be responsible for the operation of the strategic planning, business development and overall corporate development teams. They will report to CEO Craig Donohue.
“As we continue to selectively seek non-organic growth opportunities through transaction processing, mergers and acquisitions, these enhancements to our Corporate Development Team will ensure that we continue to deliver value to our shareholders,” Donohue said. ”Ann and Ken are highly-effective leaders who have already made substantial contributions to the execution of our growth strategy. For example, they both played key roles in our historic clearing agreement with The Chicago Board of Trade® and our distribution partnership to provide CME FX on Reuters.”
Additionally, CME appointed Johannes Zhou, who is a leading expert in clearing, settlement and risk management in Asian derivatives markets, as Director, Asian Business Development. Zhou previously served in key leadership roles for the Hong Kong Futures Exchange, including Chief Executive Officer, Futures Clearing Corporation and Chief Financial Officer. He will report to Shuman.
Donohue noted, “Johannes’ extensive experience in Chinese markets and financial services, as well as his relationships with market participants in Asia, will be a true asset to CME as we develop additional growth opportunities in the Far East.“
Biographical Information
Ann Shuman: As Director, Business Development, Shuman, 36, has developed and led key strategic relationships with CME’s existing business partners and negotiated new business opportunities, including the company’s historic clearing agreement with The Chicago Board of Trade®, the extension and expansion of the company’s exclusive license agreement with The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., and CME’s license agreement for the Nikkei® 225 Index, CME’s agreement with the Singapore Exchange relating to its mutual offset system. Before joining CME in 2000, Shuman served as an attorney in the derivatives and investment products group of Sidley & Austin in Chicago. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and a JD degree from the University of Chicago.
Kendal Vroman: In his previous role as Director, CME Corporate Program Office, Vroman, 33, was responsible for facilitating and coordinating the program management associated with major CME initiatives. Vroman played a key project management role in the company’s initial public offering in 2002, and he has also held key leadership roles in implementing CME’s historic clearing agreement with The Chicago Board of Trade®, its acquisition and integration of Liquidity Direct technology and its partnership with Reuters. Before joining CME in 2001, Vroman held leadership positions at marchFIRST Inc., Whittman-Hart’s Collaborative Technologies Group and Andersen Consulting LLP’s Americas Information Systems Division. He earned a bachelor’s degree in applied computer science from Illinois State University and a master’s of management degree, with emphasis in finance and marketing, from the J.L. Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University.
Johannes Zhou: Zhou, 49, most recently served as President of Zeta Institute of Finance and Risk Management, headquartered in Boston. The firm specializes in advisory work in financial markets, investment banking, asset management and financial technology, and also serves as an advisor on futures and risk management to the CSRC (China Securities Regulatory Commission). Zhou has also held several leadership positions at the Hong Kong Futures Exchange, led China operations for Union Bank of Switzerland and held a variety of financial roles at State Street Bank and Trust Company. Zhou earned an undergraduate degree from Beijing University and a master’s degree in English and philosophy from Brandeis University.
