William P. Hicks Named Associate Regional Director for Enforcement in SEC Atlanta Regional Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2010-20

Washington, D.C., Feb. 3, 2010 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that William P. Hicks has been named Associate Regional Director for Enforcement in the SEC's Atlanta Regional Office.

Mr. Hicks has held a number of positions of increasing responsibility since joining the SEC staff more than 25 years ago, most recently serving as Regional Trial Counsel in the Atlanta office. In his new position, Mr. Hicks will oversee the SEC's enforcement activities in five Southeastern states covered by the Atlanta office.

"Throughout his career with the SEC, Bill has been a strong and aggressive force in our efforts to hold accountable those who violate the nation's securities laws," said Robert Khuzami, Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement. "We look forward to his continued leadership in such a key role."

Rhea Dignam, who has been named Director of the SEC's Atlanta Regional Office, said, "I am very pleased to have someone with Bill's extensive SEC experience as a member of the office's senior management team. I know that he will be a real asset as we carry out the enforcement responsibilities of the Atlanta Regional Office."

Mr. Hicks said, "It is a privilege to work with everyone in the Atlanta office to carry out the SEC's important mission, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the Commission's dedicated efforts to protect investors."

Mr. Hicks previously worked in the SEC's Miami Regional Office as an enforcement staff attorney from 1984 to 1986 and as a Branch Chief from 1986 to 1989. He served as an Assistant Director in the Miami office from 1989 to 1992, and then relocated to the Atlanta office and became Regional Trial Counsel.

Prior to joining the Commission, Mr. Hicks was Assistant State Attorney with the Orange County (Fla.) State Attorney's Office from 1982 to 1984. He also served in various roles with the New York State Employees Retirement System from 1979 to 1982.

Mr. Hicks earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in history from Dickinson College in 1975, and his JD from Brooklyn (N.Y.) Law School in 1978.

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