Former U.S. Senator Judd Gregg, R-N.H., is the newly appointed chief executive officer of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.

During his time in the Senate, Sen. Judd – a Republican—held positions on the Senate Appropriations, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs committees as well as the Health, Education and Labor and Pensions Committees.

His latest transition makes him the head of the chief lobbying group for the securities industry.

SIFMA generally plays an extensive role in shaping views about the secondary mortgage market.

About a year ago, SIFMA sent a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency asking for the conservator to merge the operations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The recommendation came on the grounds that a pricing gap existed between Fannie and Freddie mortgage bonds, with Freddie’s trading lower at the time.