The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) on Tuesday brought on former Congressman and investment banker Kenneth Bentsen Jr. as executive vice president of public policy and advocacy. Bentsen will head up SIFMA’s Washington, DC office, bringing years of experience in the market and most recently his three years of serving as president and COO at the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association. Bentsen previously served as a managing director at Public Strategies and also as a member of the US House of Representatives from Texas. He will take responsibility for SIFMA’s legal, governmental and legislative affairs and advocacy initiatives when he begins in September. “With his breadth of financial experience in both the private and public sector, Ken understands our members’ public policy goals and business interest and will help drive our efforts to play a proactive, constructive role in the ongoing regulatory reform debate,” said SIFMA president and CEO Timothy Ryan in a statement on the appointment. Write to Diana Golobay.