Steve Swanson

Background

About Steve Swanson

Steve Swanson co-founded Automated Trading Desk (ATD), a pioneer in high frequency trading, in 1989. After twelve years of growing the company, Swanson was named President and CEO where he was responsible for increasing ATD’s market share to 7% of US daily equity trading volume. In 2007, ATD was sold to Citigroup for $680 million, where Swanson was global co-head of electronic trading for equities. Since leaving Citi/ATD in 2010, he has managed, mentored, and invested in several startup organizations. Swanson was named one of “The Top 10 Innovators of the Decade” by Wall Street Technology for the market changes ATD influenced.Swanson is a committed advocate of higher education. As a passionate volunteer for his alma mater, the College of Charleston, Swanson has served in several roles. From 2003-2016, he served on the College’s Foundation Board as both a member and chairman and was recognized with emeritus status. Swanson served as co-chair of the College’s Boundless Campaign which successfully raised $139 million. The College’s Alumni Association has recognized Swanson’s dedication and accomplishments as Business Person of the Year and with their Award of Honor (their highest honor). He also received the first Honors College Distinguished Alumni Award, and he served as the 2015 commencement speaker where he received an honorary doctoral degree. More recently, Swanson was elected to serve on the College’s Board of Trustees. Prior to joining the College’s Board of Trustees, Swanson was recruited to join the Board of Trustees at South Carolina State University tasked with turning around the financially ailing HBCU. That board successfully balanced the budget, increased admissions, and reaffirmed its SAC COC accreditation.Beyond his focus on education, Swanson has helped several firms achieve success. In 2014, he became the Inside Director of operations and strategy at SnapCap, an alternative small business loan originator which sold to Lending Tree in 2017 for $21 million. Today, he serves on the board of directors at the Bank of South Carolina (NASDAQ: BKSC). He is an investor and serves on the boards of AmplifiedAG, Engineered Marine Coatings, MedTrust, Quant Systems, Indexic, Fidectus, and QuickSortRX. He also serves on the philanthropic boards of Engaging Creative Minds and the Low Country Food Bank Foundation. In 2015, he was named one of Charleston’s “40 Movers and Shapers” by Charleston Magazine for his many entrepreneurial efforts.