Donald L. Calvin, Founder and head of ISEEE, passed away on July 9, 2015

by ISEEE blog admin

Donald L. Calvin, Founder and head of International Stock Exchange Executives Emeriti, Inc. (ISEEE), passed away on July 9, 2015 after a short illness. He was 83.

Don L. CalvinThrough his consulting firm, International Business Enterprises, Inc., Don was an advisor to many leaders in the financial services field around the world. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Stock Exchange until 2007. Don spent a significant part of his career at the New York Stock Exchange, rising to become a member of the Office of the Chairman and Executive Vice President. He retired from the NYSE in January 1987. Prior to joining the NYSE in 1964, Don had been a syndicate manager with the Chicago investment bank A.C. Allyn & Co, after becoming Securities Commissioner of the State of Illinois at age 26. Don attended Eastern Illinois University as an undergraduate, and obtained his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Don was a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps during the time of the Korean Conflict.

During his 23 years at the NYSE, Don was involved in the many changes that occurred in the securities industry during that time, such as the abolition of fixed brokerage commissions, the changes in the governance structure of the NYSE in the 1970’s, the implementation of the national market system dictated by the 1975 amendments to the Securities Exchange Act, and the formation of The Depository Trust Company (DTC), with Don serving as the NYSE representative on the DTC board for a number of years. Don was proud of the positive relationships he was able to maintain with the Commissioners and staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission during these often-contentious times. Don is one of the financial market influencers included in the oral history project of the SEC Historical Society (click here for the transcript of his interview).

One of Don’s contributions to the business of the NYSE was his creation of the system of advisory committees, comprised of major influencers from various segments important to the Exchange. The International Advisory Committee, for example, enabled the NYSE to establish relationships with chief executives of large non-U.S companies, many of which ultimately listed on the Exchange.

Don was also involved on behalf of the NYSE with the FIBV, the global trade organization of stock exchanges (now the WFE). This afforded him exposure to many exchange chief executives, a number of whom became his advisory clients following his retirement from the NYSE.

Don continued to bring together international influencers by founding the ISEEE in 2009. It is a global educational organization of those who have held senior executive positions at, or been advisors to, stock or derivative exchanges. ISEEE facilitates the exchange of information among experts in finance and financial regulation, technology, and exchange management and operation.

Don’s wife of 64 years, Louise, accompanied him on many of his overseas travels when meeting members of the global financial community and their spouses, which helped to fortify these relationships. In addition to Louise, Don is survived by his brother Kenneth, daughters Jane and Sally, and four grandchildren. Don was predeceased by his brother Robert and his son-in-law, Frank Salvaterra.