Greg Zerzan
Encyclopedia
Greg Zerzan is an attorney in Washington, DC. He has held several prominent posts in government and is a frequent speaker on markets and public policy matters.
, and attended both undergraduate and law school
at Willamette University
in Salem, Oregon
. While at Willamette he worked in the Oregon State Legislature
as an aid to various members of the State House and Senate. He was a member of the Delta Zeta chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and alumnus of the Order of Triple Omega.
.
In March 2003, Zerzan was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions Policy in the Administration of President George W. Bush
. Later Zerzan became Acting Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions. While at the U.S. Treasury Zerzan was one of the foremost proponents of reform of the Government Sponsored Enterprises
, early on calling for regulatory improvements to limit the systemic risk the entities posed to the US financial system. Zerzan was also a strong proponent of tax cuts and reducing the size of US government programs, which he felt posed an unacceptable risk to U.S. taxpayers. Zerzan also oversaw the office of Terrorism Risk Insurance Program, and was responsible for managing the implementation of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act
.
After leaving the US Government Zerzan became counsel and head of global public policy for ISDA
, which is the financial trade association which oversees the over-the-counter derivatives industry. In this position Zerzan worked with government and industry leaders around the world to help manage policy related to privately negotiated risk management contracts.
Zerzan frequently testifies before the United States Congress
and appears on television and in print discussing matters related to markets and U.S. government policy. Zerzan is also a Senior Fellow at the law school of the University of Melbourne
, Australia
.
Early life and education
Zerzan is the youngest son of Charles J. Zerzan Jr. and Joan Kathan Zerzan. Charles Zerzan, Jr. was a noted physician and decorated military officer; Zerzan's grandfather, Charles Zerzan Sr., was likewise a distinguished U.S. Army veteran. Zerzan grew up in Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, and attended both undergraduate and law school
Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law is a private law school located in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1842, Willamette University is the oldest university in the Western United States...
at Willamette University
Willamette University
Willamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, and is made up of an undergraduate College of Liberal Arts and...
in Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
. While at Willamette he worked in the Oregon State Legislature
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
as an aid to various members of the State House and Senate. He was a member of the Delta Zeta chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and alumnus of the Order of Triple Omega.
Professional
Zerzan has worked in several prominent positions in the U.S. government, starting with his service as counsel and general counsel to the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture. He later became senior counsel to the House Committee on Banking, and the House Committee on Financial Services. In these positions he was instrumental in helping create legislation such as the Commodity Futures Modernization Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and the Sarbanes-Oxley ActSarbanes-Oxley Act
The Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 , also known as the 'Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act' and 'Corporate and Auditing Accountability and Responsibility Act' and commonly called Sarbanes–Oxley, Sarbox or SOX, is a United States federal law enacted on July 30, 2002, which...
.
In March 2003, Zerzan was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions Policy in the Administration of President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. Later Zerzan became Acting Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions. While at the U.S. Treasury Zerzan was one of the foremost proponents of reform of the Government Sponsored Enterprises
Government-owned corporation
A government-owned corporation, state-owned company, state-owned entity, state enterprise, publicly owned corporation, government business enterprise, or parastatal is a legal entity created by a government to undertake commercial activities on behalf of an owner government...
, early on calling for regulatory improvements to limit the systemic risk the entities posed to the US financial system. Zerzan was also a strong proponent of tax cuts and reducing the size of US government programs, which he felt posed an unacceptable risk to U.S. taxpayers. Zerzan also oversaw the office of Terrorism Risk Insurance Program, and was responsible for managing the implementation of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act
Terrorism Risk Insurance Act
The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act is a United States federal law signed into law by President George W. Bush on November 26, 2002. The Act created a federal "backstop" for insurance claims related to acts of terrorism. The Act is intended as a temporary measure to allow time for the insurance...
.
After leaving the US Government Zerzan became counsel and head of global public policy for ISDA
International Swaps and Derivatives Association
The International Swaps and Derivatives Association is a trade organization of participants in the market for over-the-counter derivatives....
, which is the financial trade association which oversees the over-the-counter derivatives industry. In this position Zerzan worked with government and industry leaders around the world to help manage policy related to privately negotiated risk management contracts.
Zerzan frequently testifies before the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
and appears on television and in print discussing matters related to markets and U.S. government policy. Zerzan is also a Senior Fellow at the law school of the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.