Robert Garsson Named Deputy Comptroller for Public Affairs

WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today announced that Robert M. Garsson has been named Deputy Comptroller for Public Affairs.

As deputy comptroller, Mr. Garsson will provide public affairs advice to the Comptroller and senior OCC management, and oversee the agency's external and internal communications. His responsibilities will include supervising the Banking Relations, Communications, and Press Relations divisions as well as the Web Content Unit, Outreach and Minority Affairs, and Executive Communications. He will work closely with Congressional Affairs in developing OCC's comprehensive public affairs program. Mr. Garsson will report to Mark A. Nishan, Chief of Staff and Public Affairs.

"Bob will occupy a key position at the OCC," said Comptroller John D. Hawke, Jr. "He has provided outstanding leadership for the Press Relations division and he has demonstrated that he is the right person at the right time to contribute immediately in this demanding and critically important position."

Mr. Garsson has been the OCC's Director for Press Relations since 1997. Before joining the OCC, Mr. Garsson was director of corporate communications at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Mr. Garsson's professional experience also includes reporting for the newspaper, American Banker, where he also served as Washington, DC bureau chief and senior editor.

An Army veteran, Mr. Garsson earned a BA in history from the University of Virginia and an MA in political science from Rutgers University.