The Federal Trade Commission announced today that Jessica Rich has been tapped to head the Division of Financial Practices. Rich, who joined the FTC in 1991, is currently deputy director of the agency's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The financial practices division, which is part of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, has become increasingly high-profile since the 2008 financial crisis, and its portfolio continues to expand.
Along with Rich’s promotion, the FTC announced that the “Mobile Team,” led by Patricia Poss, will move under the umbrella of the division as the agency increases its focus on mobile commerce and mobile payment systems.
The financial practices division was previously headed by Peggy Twohig, who moved to the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau a year ago, where she leads the nonbank supervision team. FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz praised Rich, who earned her law degree from New York University School of Law, as “exceptionally well-qualified“ for the job.
“A 20-year veteran of the agency, she is a nationally recognized expert in the fields of privacy, data and identity protection, and emerging technologies,” Leibowitz said in a news release. “She has extensive experience in all facets of the agency's practice. Americans will be well-served by someone as smart, fair and tenacious as Jessica."
Daniel Kaufman will replace Rich as acting deputy director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Kaufman joined the FTC in 1998 as a staff attorney in the Division of Advertising Practices.
Comments