Bats opens Wall Street office

The latest additions to the BATS sales organization are Joe Bracco, a Cantor Fitzgerald veteran, and Tom Cesare, who spent the past nine years in various roles of responsibility at HSBC and Credit Suisse's Swiss American Securities group in New York. John Denza and Lauren Sbordone, who joined BATS in early 2007, round out the New York sales group and Randy Williams, BATS' vice president in charge of sales and communications, is relocating to New York to lead the team. Eric Swanson, BATS' senior vice president and general counsel, also works out of the Wall Street office.

"We are a Kansas City company and will remain Kansas City-based but we also understand that an increased sales presence in New York is important to our customers and essential to our growth," said Joe Ratterman, chief executive of BATS. "Operating from a Wall Street location with more feet on the ground is yet another way to enhance the BATS experience for subscribers."

Mr. Williams, who has been with BATS in Kansas City since October 2006, added that "We are very excited about this step and the opportunity to grow closer to our customers. Equally, we are fortunate to add proven talents such as Joe and Tom to the sales organization.

"Joe brings a tremendous amount of sales experience to BATS with a proven history of building relationships at Cantor Fitzgerald. And, of course, it's great to bring Tom into the fold, with his vast trading background and unique ability to connect with traders," he said.