The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) made a sweeping set of leadership appointments Friday, installing four new senior officials as Chairman Paul Atkins continues reshaping the agency’s top ranks.
Erik Hotmire will return to the SEC as Chief External Affairs Officer and Director of the Office of Public Affairs starting today (Monday). Hotmire previously worked at the agency under former Chairman Christopher Cox and brings extensive government and private sector communications experience to the role.
Paul Atkins, Source: LinkedIn
“I am delighted that Erik is coming back to the SEC to provide his talents and experience to continue our meaningful outreach to those interested in our activities,” Atkins said in announcing the appointment.
Hotmire spent recent years as a partner at several major corporate advisory firms, including co-founding Watermark Strategies and holding senior roles at Brunswick Group, Teneo, and FGS Global. He also served as a White House spokesman during the George W. Bush administration.
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Chief Accountant Role Filled
Kurt Hohl, who brings nearly four decades of accounting and auditing experience, will take over as Chief Accountant effective July 7. The appointment reunites Hohl with Atkins, who worked with him previously.
“Kurt is an experienced accountant with deeply technical knowledge and international experience, and we are lucky he has decided to return to the SEC,” Atkins said.
Hohl recently founded Corallium Advisors after spending 26 years as a partner at Ernst & Young, where he rose to global deputy vice-chair of the firm’s Global Assurance Professional Practice. He previously worked at the SEC from 1989 to 1997, reaching Associate Chief Accountant in the Division of Corporation Finance.
Acting Chief Accountant Ryan Wolfe will return to his previous role as Chief Accountant in the Division of Enforcement.
Investment Management Leadership Change
Brian Daly will become Director of the Division of Investment Management on July 8, working previously for top-tier law firms and investment management companies.
Daly has spent the past four years as a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in New York, advising investment advisers on regulatory compliance and fund formation. He also worked at Schulte Roth & Zabel and served as chief legal and compliance officer at Kepos Capital.
“Brian has deep familiarity with all levels of the investment management industry, and I look forward to working with him as we address smart, effective oversight of the industry,” Atkins said.
Trading and Markets Division Gets New Head
Jamie Selway will lead the Division of Trading and Markets starting June 17, bringing extensive market structure expertise from both the buy-side and sell-side.
Selway was most recently a partner at Sophron Advisors and previously served as managing director and head of electronic brokerage at Investment Technology Group. He co-founded institutional brokerage White Cap Trading and worked early in his career at Goldman Sachs and the predecessor to FINRA.
“Chairman Atkins is bringing about a ‘new day’ at the SEC,” Selway said. “I thank him for selecting me to lead Trading and Markets at this exciting and pivotal time”.
New SEC Under Atkins
The appointments reflect Atkins’ emphasis on bringing industry veterans with practical experience to senior regulatory positions. He has emphasized moving away from what he calls “regulation by enforcement” toward a more business-friendly approach. Since taking office in April, Atkins has focused on the agency’s core mission of protecting investors, maintaining fair markets, and facilitating capital formation.
The new leadership team brings extensive private sector experience that aligns with Atkins’ vision of promoting innovation rather than stifling it. During the annual SEC Speaks Conference in May, enforcement officials outlined changes that prioritize transparency and predictability in the agency’s operations.
Atkins has called for a “reset of priorities” to restore “common sense and effectiveness” in regulation, emphasizing that SEC rules should be “smart, effective, and appropriately tailored”. The chairman previously served as an SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008 and founded regulatory consulting firm Patomak Global Partners.
The personnel changes come as the SEC undergoes broader restructuring, including the closure of regional offices in Los Angeles and Philadelphia and a reorganization of enforcement divisions. Atkins has also signaled plans to establish clearer regulatory frameworks for emerging areas, such as digital assets and artificial intelligence.
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