The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has appointed Kirsten Sutton Mork chief of staff, the agency announced on Tuesday.
Sutton Mork has been an aide to Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) in the House Financial Services Committee, named deputy staff director of the Committee in 2013 and staff director in 2017. Hensarling, chairman of the Committee, has openly opposed the organization in the past.
“I am pleased to announce Ms. Sutton Mork as the new chief of staff at the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection,” said Mick Mulvaney, acting director of the CFPB, in a statement. “I worked with Kirsten during my tenure as a member on the House Financial Services Committee and can attest to her in-depth financial policy expertise, proven track record of developing and implementing strategic initiatives, and ability to manage a team. Kirsten brings with her more than a decade of invaluable experience that will advance the mission of the Bureau and make it more efficient, effective, and accountable.”
Sutton Mork is assuming duties formerly overseen by Leandra English, who has been at the center of the CFPB’s internal power struggle. The agency’s first director, Richard Cordray, announced English as his replacement upon his resignation in November; on the same day, President Trump named Mick Mulvaney, also director of the Office of Management and Budget, as successor. In January, Mulvaney announced an operational review of the organization.
For the Trump Administration, the appointment of Sutton Mork represents a win. Last week, an appeals court deemed the organization’s structure constitutional, indicating that the president can only dismiss the head of the organization for real reasons, such as misconduct or neglect. The agency was first found unconstitutional in a 2016 ruling.
Stay tuned to RISMedia for more developments.
Suzanne De Vita is RISMedia’s online news editor. Email her your real estate news ideas at sdevita@rismedia.com. For the latest real estate news and trends, bookmark RISMedia.com.
