Mr. Viola began his business career as a trader in the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) in 1982. He helped build the NYMEX while he served on the Board of Directors, as chairman of the Technology Committee, the Natural Gas Advisory Committee and the Facilities Committee, co-chairman of the Options Committee, Vice Chairman of NYMEX from 1993 to 1996 and Chairman of NYMEX from March 2001 to March 2004. At one time or another, Mr. Viola chaired each of the exchanges regulatory
committees. During Mr. Viola’s tenure as Chairman of NYMEX, he oversaw numerous competitive initiatives, including an over-the-counter clearing mechanism – the “Clear Port” platform – the exchange for swaps products and trading at settlement. He was awarded a special service medal for his exemplary leadership of NYMEX through the tragic events of September 11th.

Mr. Viola has launched a number of successful businesses during his career. In 1987, he founded Pioneer Futures, one of the top fifty futures commission merchants in the U.S.. In 1988, he founded The Independent Bank Group, which has over $900 million in assets and over twenty branches in Texas. In 1989, he started a company now known as Mako Group, which is the largest independent derivatives market maker in Europe. Mr. Viola also served as a member of the National Petroleum Council from
2002-2004.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Viola is a graduate of Brooklyn Technical School and the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. A graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger school, he served in the 101st Airborne Division and later attained the rank of Major in the Army Reserves. In 1983, he graduated from New York Law School with a juris doctor degree.

Mr. Viola conceived and funded the creation of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. Mr. Viola is Vice-Chair of the National Italian American Foundation and Vice Chairman of the New Jersey Nets and Brooklyn Sports Ownership Group.