I want to thank my editor, Jessica Moyer, who was able to sweep in and help organize my chaos. Without her, I doubt I would have gotten this past the first three chapters. She did much heavy lifting in driving research, structure, questions, and detail. We worked on this during the COVID-19 period where everyone was working from home, and she was saddled with teaching college classes remotely, which is no easy feat. Her contributions made this happen. Thanks to Christian Amport, KS brother and President/CEO of the Overshores Brewing Company in East Haven Connecticut, for helping visualize the map for Communities of Practice in Financial Services, and then drawing it for me. Go check his brew selection! Finally, a huge thanks to my cousin, Matthew Aldrich (BIGBADPIXEL Studios) for his rendition of the cover art.
Many deep thanks to Professor Scott Kiesling of the University of Pittsburgh, and Professor Tom Werner of Carnegie Mellon University, who both responded to a confused middle-aged financial operations guy trying to play amateur linguist (and obviously leveraging his alumni status at CMU and one of his son’s attendance at Pitt in trying to ensure a response). They both graciously spent their own time to sit with me, over coffee and drinks, to discuss my premise and help validate my approach. Further, their continued support and guidance was invaluable.
To the organizations I belong to and have worked with over the years, and are mentioned in this book—the work individuals in these organizations do globally is critical, yet underappreciated, underfunded, and under supported. ISITC, FIX, SIFMA, APFF, ABAC, ISDA, OMG, X9, ISO, EDMC, Data Foundation, FINOS, and so on… I don’t shy away from the criticisms I may have raised, but without these organizations, things just would not work at all. But we can and must do better.
To those I have had the distinct honor of working for and learning from; Bankers Trust (Jude, Theresa, Linda), Merrin (Emilio), Bank of NY (Kevin, Mr. Gennin), Omgeo (John, Tim), Barclays (David), Morgan Stanley (Ron, Jim, Ian, Mike), EMC (Alexis, John), Wipro (Ed, Beni), Bloomberg (Pete, Steve, Dom)—thank you. I have taken something from each of you and learned so much on how to not just be a better professional, but a better person.
To those that I have worked and work with alongside—this book is for you. Hopefully it will make our jobs a bit easier. Jason, Gary, Marc, (all of the) Lisa’s, Nigel, Corby, Karen, Tara, (all of the) Paul’s, Tim, Jim, Tom (J&J), Genevy, Charles, Alex, John, George, Sherman, Mike, Francois, David, (all the other) Richard’s, Kay, Pam… ok, I can’t name everyone and I am horribly embarrassed I missed you if I did.
Thanks to my friends, who had to continuously listen to me yammer on and on about applied linguistics for the past three years and what I was writing. Brian, Lou, Paul, Keith, and Mark (and of course their better halves).
Thanks to the guys at Little Silver and Middletown soccer for being an outlet. And the ocean for the surf when I needed to clear my head.
My parents, Laura and Rich, who without, I would not be where I am today. From simple support to their constant encouragement and belief.
And to my family. Lisa, Dylan, Kyle, and Gavin. You are really the reason I do anything. Without your love and support, there wouldn’t be any reward in anything I do. I thank you for enduring my (endless) lectures, unsolicited advice and professorial explanations and arguments. You continue to surprise me and make me proud with all you do.