The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) today issued the following statement regarding the passing of Mr. Gordon Macklin, a founder of the Nasdaq, on Tuesday at age 79:
“We lost a great leader today,” said Marc Lackritz, co-CEO of SIFMA. “Gordon was instrumental in steering the Nasdaq to become the major market that it is today. The people of our industry, as well as investors, are still benefiting from the innovations he set in motion.”
Macklin helped launch the electronic stock exchange in 1971 and served as its president for nearly two decades. He also held a number of executive roles on Wall Street, including serving as chairman of investment bank Hambrecht & Quist and venture capital firm White River Partners.
Macklin began his career at securities firm McDonald & Co., where he was employed from 1950 to 1970.
“Gordon rose through the ranks at McDonald & Co., and after twenty years of dedication, his leadership of McDonald & Co. helped to make it one of the premier investment firms in the country,” continued Lackritz. “Beyond his tremendous business sense, Gordon was a true gentleman – his word was bond and he was great with people. He will be missed.”
