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SIFMA today announced it has appointed Ananias (Andy) Blocker executive vice president, public policy and advocacy. Mr. Blocker was most recently managing director, federal affairs manager in the U.S. Office of Public Policy at UBS. In his new role at SIFMA, Mr. Blocker will be responsible for SIFMA's governmental affairs and advocacy initiatives. Mr. Blocker's career at SIFMA will begin in January.
"Andy has substantial experience in both the public and private sectors and he clearly understands the intricacies and importance of the financial markets," said Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., president and CEO of SIFMA. "Andy is an outstanding addition to SIFMA and we welcome him to the team."
Mr. Blocker represented UBS on a wide range of issues with a primary focus on banking, securities, and other financial services issues on Capitol Hill and in the Executive Branch. In addition, Andy served as a trusted resource to inform both individual and institutional clients on political and policy actions in Washington and how they could impact their strategic investment decisions.
Prior to his role at UBS, Mr. Blocker was vice president of government relations at the New York Stock Exchange (now NYSE Euronext), where he was responsible for developing and coordinating lobbying strategy regarding market structure, corporate governance, international economic relations, and tax issues. Prior to joining the Exchange, Andy represented American Airlines in over twenty international route negotiations between the U.S. and foreign governments.
During his tenure in the public sector, he worked as a legislative assistant to Congressman Martin Frost (D-TX), and budget analyst for the Senate Budget Committee. He also worked for the Clinton White House, where as Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, he provided policy-making and strategic advice to the President, and contributed to the passage of the 1997 Bipartisan Balanced Budget Agreement.
Mr. Blocker holds an undergraduate degree in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business.
