Nasdaq’s Options Chief to Depart

Adam Nunes, head of Nasdaq OMX’s options operations, will leave the exchange operator this week. Nasdaq will not say why he is leaving or where he is going.

Nunes began his career with Nasdaq in 2000 as a research analyst in Nasdaq’s economic research department. Before that he had worked as a research associate in the Washington, D.C.-based consultancy Economists, Inc.

Nunes later transferred to Nasdaq’s transaction services group where he worked on a variety of projects including Nasdaq’s supermontage platform and the integration of the Brut and INET ECNs. He also designed and implemented Nasdaq’s opening, closing, IPO and halt crosses.

Nunes was named head of Nasdaq Options Market in September 2006. The exchange launched in 2008. Last year, following the acquisition of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, which left Nasdaq with two options markets, Nunes was promoted head of U.S. options with responsibility for both exchanges.

Tom Wittman is currently head of the Nasdaq OMX PHLX, the former Philly options market.