Wall Street Firms Rise and Ride FAR To Fund Autism Research

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wall street FAR autism research

Wall Street Firms and Broker-Dealers based across the NY tri-state area are preparing to get into gear in advance of the 2nd Annual Autism Science Foundation’s Wall Street Rides FAR Cycling Event for Autism Research. On Saturday, October 8, over 150 representatives from the Wall Street community will gather to cycle in support of innovative, life-changing autism research.

Per coverage courtesy of TradersMag John D’Antona, The Autism Science Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides funding directly to scientists conducting cutting-edge autism research to discover the causes of autism and develop better treatments. The ride, which takes place at Saxon Woods County Park in White Plains, New York, gives participants a choice of four scenic routes through the beautiful fall foliage of the Lower Hudson Valley: 4 miles, 20 miles, 30 miles, and 62 miles.

Bryan Harkins

Bryan Harkins, Bats Global Markets

The event is being spearheaded by Bats Global Markets EVP Bryan Harkins, who, along with Alison Singer, president of the Autism Science Foundation are co-founders of Wall Street Rides FAR Cycling Event for Autism Research.

“I have seen the affects that autism can have on families,” Harkins told Traders Magazine. “Families affected by autism tend to shift the entire focus of their lives to providing a better quality of life for their loved one.”

This event, he added, is an extension of that inspiration.

“It’s our community’s responsibility to support those who need it,” Harkins said. “The vision for this event was to bring together my network of contacts (most of whom have shown amazing generosity) at a unique family friendly networking event all to benefit the Autism Science Foundation.  There’s no event like it really. We have family friendly shorter routers for the casual and beginner biker, and we have more advanced longer distance routes for the more avid cyclist.  It doesn’t matter what your level is.  It’s about coming out to have some fun, building a sense of community, growing awareness all to benefit a wonderful organization, the Autism Science Foundation.”

To donate or register go to, please go to www.wallstreetridesfar.org

And there I still time to ride, volunteer or cheer on the participants.

Harkins added that ASF is committed to the science of autism.

“The foundation’s mission is to provide grants to the country’s top scientists as they dedicate their research looking for the causes of autism, but also for better treatment methods to enhance the quality of life for those on the spectrum,” Harkins said.

BrokerDealer BATS Seeks New Prez

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BrokerDealer.com blog post courtesy of extract from WSJ

BATS Global Markets Inc. the brokerdealer that operates the BATS electronic exchange platform, has begun searching for a new president just over a month after it forced William O’Brien out of the position, according to people familiar with the matter.

After Mr. O’Brien abruptly departed BATS in July, BATS Chief Executive Joe Ratterman assumed the title of president effective immediately, according to a statement at the time. Mr. Ratterman is based in Lenexa, Kan., while Mr. O’Brien worked out of the firm’s Jersey City, N.J., office.

Since then, the BATS board has decided to look for a new president. The position would likely be based in Jersey City and play a role in acting as a liaison with the company’s owners, many of which are large Wall Street firms based in New York City, and be a public face for the company.

It wasn’t previously known whether the company would seek to replace Mr. O’Brien or leave Mr. Ratterman as both chief executive and president. A spokesman for BATS declined to comment.

One reason for Mr. O’Brien’s departure was a decision by BATS to settle allegations that one of its units gave unfair advantages to high-speed traders, The Wall Street Journal reported last month. Mr. O’Brien declined to comment.