Robert J. Keyes Named Associate Regional Director and Chief of Regional Office Operations in SEC's New York Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2010-52

Washington, D.C., April 5, 2010 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Robert J. Keyes has been named Associate Regional Director and Chief of Regional Office Operations in the agency's New York Regional Office.

In this newly created position, Mr. Keyes will assist the regional director and other regional senior officers in managing the office's enforcement and examination caseload. He will supervise the assistant regional directors for the office's enforcement accountants and enforcement investigators. As chief operations officer, he will oversee various operational aspects of the New York office, including budgeting, case closings, collections and distributions, and handling of the many tips, complaints, and referrals the office receives each year.

"During his time at the SEC, Rob has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to improving the agency's operations," said George S. Canellos, Director of the New York Regional Office. "Rob's legal talent and managerial abilities will be great assets for the New York office and the SEC as a whole as we undertake to streamline our procedures and to expand and enhance our enforcement and examination programs."

Mr. Keyes said, "I am honored to work with the dedicated staff of the New York Regional Office during this time of great change at the SEC and many challenges in policing our capital markets. I look forward to working with the staff to develop the most effective operations for the office and further the Commission's mission of protecting investors."

In his new role, Mr. Keyes also will supervise the head of the office's administrative services group, and help senior officers of the regional examination staff by addressing their operational needs. Mr. Keyes will work in close coordination with Adam Storch, the Managing Executive of the Enforcement Division, and senior management of the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) on national initiatives to enhance the operations of Enforcement and OCIE.

Mr. Keyes has served at the SEC since 1996, first at the Washington D.C. headquarters where he became a branch chief in 2000. He also served in the SEC's Office of International Affairs in 1999 and 2000. Mr. Keyes transitioned to the New York office in 2002, becoming a branch chief in 2004 and an assistant regional director in 2005.

Before joining the SEC, Mr. Keyes was a partner in the law firm of Comey Boyd & Luskin in Washington. Earlier in his career, Mr. Keyes was an associate at the law firm of Pettit & Martin in San Francisco. He received his JD degree cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 1986.

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