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One day after his appointment as the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Richard Cordray sent a clear signal that he intends to move aggressively to enforce the agency's expanded authority.
January 5
WASHINGTON — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau this week named officials to six senior positions, including those who will serve as the bureau's new general counsel, ombudsman and senior advisor to Director Richard Cordray.
Steven Antonakes, a former Massachusetts banking commissioner, was named associate director for supervision, enforcement, and fair lending. He previously had served at the bureau as assistant director of large bank supervision.
The CFPB announced the promotion of Len Kennedy, previously the agency's general counsel, to senior advisor and counselor to Cordray. Kennedy will be succeeded as the bureau's top lawyer by Meredith Fuchs, who has been a senior CFPB official since 2011. (The CFPB did not officially open its doors until July 21, 2011.)
Meanwhile, Wendy Kamenshine was named ombudsman. She has been with the bureau since July 2011, serving as acting ombudsman. Kamenshine currently chairs an interagency group called the Coalition of Federal Ombudsmen.
Also added to the list were two new agency hires. Camille Busette joined the CFPB as assistant director of the Office of Financial Education. She previously has held positions as senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and deputy director of government relations for PayPal.
Clifford Rosenthal was named assistant director of financial empowerment. Before coming to the bureau, Rosenthal was president and chief executive officer of the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions.
