Bürgenstock 2003 > Speakers

Joseph S. Rizzello

Joseph S. Rizzello is Managing Director of Pershing, a leading global provider of securities processing and investment-related products and services, and President of Pershing Trading Company, LP (PTC). Mr. Rizzello is also a select member of Pershing’s Executive Committee.

As president of Pershing Trading Company, Mr. Rizzello is responsible for the overall management of PTC’s operations as well as coordinating and implementing PTC’s business and strategic development, technology development, and risk management functions.

In his position as a member of Pershing’s Executive Committee, Mr. Rizzello has an instrumental role in the collective development of Pershing’s long-term business strategies and creating, reviewing and implementing policies and procedures.

Mr. Rizzello has spent the majority of his 32 year career as a senior executive in the securities and financial services arena. He is a recognized industry authority and has lectured extensively on equities, equity options, and sector index options as well as foreign exchange risk management.

Prior to joining Pershing, Mr. Rizzello was a Principal at Vanguard Brokerage Services (VBS), the brokerage arm of The Vanguard Group. As the executive in charge of Vanguard’s broker-dealer, Mr. Rizzello’s responsibilities included oversight of the 360 person Vanguard broker-dealer team, as well as the advancement of Vanguard’s broker-dealer’s strategic planning, business development, financial management, business technology, compliance and day-to-day operations.

While at VBS, Mr. Rizzello designed and implemented a new brokerage business and operating model which more than doubled customer accounts, assets and revenues in just two years. In addition, he executed an integrated business and technology strategy for retail, institutional and high net worth brokerage business.

At the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (PHLX), Mr. Rizzello was Executive Vice President of Marketing, Business and New Product Development as well as President of the Philadelphia Board of Trade, PHLX’s futures subsidiary. Mr. Rizzello’s primary responsibilities at the PHLX included strategic planning, product development and marketing of all PHLX products. Mr. Rizzello is credited with creating and launching numerous successful financial products including the Semiconductor Sector (SOX), Oil Service Sector (OSX), and the United Currency Options Market, a marketplace for the trading of customized currency options.

Mr. Rizzello began his career in the securities industry as Vice President of Sales and Branch Manager for Thomson McKinnon Securities, Inc., where he was responsible for building one of the firm’s top producing offices.

Mr. Rizzello is a frequent speaker at industry seminars and conferences, as well as at universities and business schools. He was also an adjunct professor for Temple University and INSEAD in Fontainbleu, France.

Mr. Rizzello is currently a member of the Board and Executive Committee of the Cincinnati Stock Exchange and serves on the boards of the International Visitors Council, Community College of Philadelphia Foundation, Temple University’s Business Curriculum Advisory Board and the Philadelphia chapter of the Pennsylvania Partnership on Economic Education. He served as a member for the District IX National Association of Securities Dealers Inc. (NASD) Business Committee and is currently a member of the New York Stock Exchange.

Mr. Rizzello’s interests and hobbies include hiking, exploring and photographing National Parks and other wilderness areas throughout North America.

Mr. Rizzello is married with four children.

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