FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	                                             2000-23

                       Susan Ferris Wyderko Named Director of the
                       Office of Investor Education and Assistance

    Washington, DC, March 7, 2000 - Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman 
Arthur Levitt today named Susan Ferris Wyderko Director of the Commission's 
Office of Investor Education and Assistance.  Ms. Wyderko, currently the 
Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs, will succeed Nancy M. Smith.

    Chairman Levitt said, "Finding the right person to lead the Office of 
Investor Education has been very important to me.  Susan is that person.  For 14 
years, she has served the Commission with distinction in a variety of 
capacities.  As a Counsel to me and as Director of the Office of Legislative 
Affairs, Susan has proven herself time and time again.  Her judgment is 
impeccable, her temperament is excellent and her legal skills are superb.  
America's investors will be well-served by Susan."  The Chairman also wishes to 
thank John Gannon for his outstanding service as Acting Director of the Office 
of Investor Education since Nancy Smith's departure in October 1999.

    As Director, Ms. Wyderko will be responsible for managing the Office, which 
both responds to investor complaints and organizes Investor Town Meetings, a 
national series of town meetings launched by the SEC in 1994 to promote public 
understanding of the securities markets and awareness of the risks and rewards 
of investing.  Ms. Wyderko will begin her new duties immediately. 

    Prior to becoming the Director of Legislative Affairs in July 1999, Ms. 
Wyderko served as a Counsel to Chairman Arthur Levitt.  Before that she was an 
Assistant General Counsel at the Commission with responsibility for filing 
Commission briefs with the Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court.  From 1993 to 
1995 she was an Assistant Chief Litigation Counsel within the Division of 
Enforcement of the Commission.  She earlier headed the Commission's Rule 2(e) 
program of disciplinary proceedings against professionals who practice before 
the Commission.  Before coming to the Commission she was an associate with the 
Washington, DC law firm of Miller & Chevalier, Chartered.

    Ms. Wyderko, 41, is a graduate of Cornell Law School and Wellesley College.

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