The Federal Housing Finance Agency appointed John Roscoe to serve as chief of staff. He will report to Joseph Otting, acting director of the agency and assume his new position on Feb. 4.

“John is a dynamic and collaborative leader with a track record of success. He brings to the position the solid judgement that comes from working at a very high level across all ​branches of government,” said Otting.

The timing of Roscoe’s appointment, however, might not be coincidental.

That’s because just days after joining the agency in early January, Otting told FHFA employees and at least one reporter that a plan to remove Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from conservatorship is imminent.

Those comments were not well received by some high-ranking Democrats.

[caption id="attachment_9328" align="alignleft" width="237"] Sherrod Brown[/caption]

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-CA., and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH, wrote to tell him that they hadn’t seen “a comprehensive statement from the White House and Treasury Department under the Trump Administration providing their views on regulation of the housing finance system.”

Also, they want to understand how the plan would affect underserved communities, such as low- and moderate-income households, rural areas, affordable rental housing, and manufactured housing. So, helping Otting avoid political entanglements like this one, could be one of Roscoe’s responsibilities.

Waters is chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Brown is ranking member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Otting is also the Comptroller of the Currency.

Roscoe joins FHFAfrom the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, where he was special assistant to the president. His work has helped shape economic, trade and regulatory policy. Before joining the White House, Roscoe served in senior positions in the private sector and the Ohio state government, including in the treasurer’s office.

“I am honored by this appointment and look forward to working with Acting Director Otting and the highly respected FHFA team,” said Roscoe.