The life of Riley

Last month the 69-year-old Wall Street options veteran put off what might have been retirement No. 4 to become chairman of the International Securities Exchange, the all-electronic options market. A vice chairman of the ISE from its launch in 1999, Riley has known ISE president and CEO David Krell since their days at the NYSE’s old options business. “I think we still have a lot of work to do,” says Riley. “I’m excited.”

Last month the 69-year-old Wall Street options veteran put off what might have been retirement No. 4 to become chairman of the International Securities Exchange, the all-electronic options market. A vice chairman of the ISE from its launch in 1999, Riley has known ISE president and CEO David Krell since their days at the NYSE’s old options business. “I think we still have a lot of work to do,” says Riley. “I’m excited.”

Before he retired for the first time, in 1993, Riley ran the American Stock Exchange’s options operation. He was lured back to work to preside over the Hong Kong Futures Exchange, from which he retired in 1997, only to be enticed back to Hong Kong to oversee the exchange’s transition to an all-electronic market. “It’s not like I don,t enjoy retirement,” insists Riley, “but this is a labor of love.”

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