Watt ramping up hiring in first week on the job at FHFA

In his first week on the job, Mel Watt is already ramping up hiring and beefing up his staff at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). 

Watt, who was sworn in on Monday as the agency’s director, said Friday that he has appointed four special advisers to help him make policy and strategic decisions.

{mosads}Megan Moore, Bob Ryan, Eric Stein and Mario Ugoletti have all been tapped by Watt. 

The agency oversees mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. 

“I am very pleased that Megan, Bob, Eric and Mario have agreed to be part of the FHFA team and to provide solid advice and perspective on the important issues I will be facing as director of the agency,” Watt said in a statement.

“Along with the strong staff already in place, these advisors have diverse skills and experience in housing finance policy that will help me build a stronger foundation for our nation’s housing finance system.”

Moore, who most recently worked at the Treasury Department as deputy assistant secretary for housing, small business and the Troubled Asset Relief Program, will handle intergovernmental matters when she joins the agency later this month.

Ryan, who will focus on industry issues, was most recently a senior vice president of capital markets at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

From 2009-2012, he was an adviser to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, and served as the first chief risk officer at the Federal Housing Administration. Ryan also spent 26 years at Freddie Mac.

Stein, who started work this week, will serve initially as special adviser and acting chief of staff before shifting his focus to consumer issues. 

He previously worked at Self-Help and the Center for Responsible Lending. Stein also served at the Treasury Department as deputy assistant secretary for consumer protection from 2009-2010. 

Ugoletti, who has served as a special advisor to former acting director Edward DeMarco, will tackle agency issues.

Prior to joining the FHFA in 2009, Ugoletti spent 14 years at the Treasury Department and served as director of the Office of Financial Institutions Policy from 2004-2009.