CHICAGO and NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago-based R.J. O'Brien & Associates (RJO), the oldest and largest independent futures brokerage and clearing firm in the United States, today announced that Patrick J. Melia has just joined the firm as Senior Vice President, Commodity Sales, working out of the New York office. Melia has more than 35 years of experience in energy exploration and in trading, brokering and marketing energy derivatives, including expertise in hedging and risk management strategies.
Melia reports to Joe Raia, who joined RJO last year as Managing Director, Global Commodity Futures, tasked with building out the firm's energy and metals clearing and execution business globally in futures, options and cleared over-the-counter (OTC) products.
Raia said: "We're very excited to have Pat on board. He brings to RJO outstanding experience and a truly impressive background in commodity markets and client relationships. As we continue to build out our global energy team, it is this type of in-depth expertise that will bring the greatest benefit to our institutional clients."
Melia said: "RJO is a great fit for me, with its deep history in commodity markets and a commitment to excellence in client service. I have had the opportunity to build tremendous client relationships over the years, and it was critical to me that service to clients is the highest priority. The firm's commitment to growing its presence in the overall energy markets was another prominent factor in my decision to join."
Melia most recently served as Director, Energy Derivatives for Koch Supply & Trading, LP in New York, which he joined in 2005. Prior to that role, he spent several years as Vice President, Energy Derivatives Brokerage for Man Group, leading the creation of the firm's OTC crude brokerage desk. Previously, Melia was a Senior Trader in Risk Management at Texaco Oil Trading & Transport in White Plains, New York, and an energy derivatives trader at Global Companies in Waltham, Massachusetts.
He began his career as a Geophysicist and Exploration Manager at ARCO International Oil & Gas Company, where he spent 17 years beginning in 1983 out of Los Angeles and Dallas. In 1994, he took on the role of Corporate Planning Analyst in the company's Plano, Texas office. In 1996, Melia was promoted to Vice President, Regional Business Manager for ARCO Asia, Inc., leading the company's expansion of a new regional headquarters office in Singapore. He returned to Plano in 1997 to take on roles in trading and risk management, representing his first foray in energy derivatives.
Melia earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Sciences at the University of Albany, a Master of Science degree in Geophysics from Texas A&M University, and an MBA from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).
About R.J. O'Brien & Associates
Founded in 1914, R.J. O'Brien & Associates is the largest independent futures brokerage firm in the United States, serving institutional, commercial and individual clients globally, in addition to a network of 400 introducing brokers (IBs). Clearing more than 80,000 client accounts, RJO services the industry's most expansive global network of IBs, a vast array of middle market firms and many of the world's largest financial, industrial and agricultural institutions. The firm offers state-of-the-art electronic trading and 24-hour trade execution on every major futures exchange worldwide. RJO has received the FOW International Award for Non-Bank FCM of the Year for the past three years. Wealth and Finance International Magazine named the company's private client division, RJO Futures, "2018's Most Trusted Financial Brokerage Firm."
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SOURCE R.J. O'Brien & Associates
