SEC Announces Creation of Investor Advisory Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2009-126

Washington, D.C., June 3, 2009 — Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Schapiro today announced the formation of an Investor Advisory Committee to give investors a greater voice in the Commission's work. SEC Commissioner Luis A. Aguilar will serve as the Commission's primary sponsor of the Committee.

"Through this well-respected and diverse group, we are reaching out to investors in a new and significant way," said Chairman Schapiro. "I look forward to hearing their views on new products, trading strategies, fee structures, and the effectiveness of disclosure, among other issues."

Commissioner Aguilar added, "Investors need a greater voice at the Commission. The Commission's traditional role as the investor's advocate, as well as our deliberations, will be enhanced by the range of views the Advisory Committee will provide."

The Investor Advisory Committee's charter provides for a broad scope of interest, including:

  1. Advising the Commission on matters of concern to investors in the securities markets;
  2. Providing the Commission with investors' perspectives on current, non-enforcement, regulatory issues; and
  3. Serving as a source of information and recommendations to the Commission regarding the Commission's regulatory programs from the point of view of investors.

The Advisory Committee will be co-chaired by Richard (Mac) Hisey, President of AARP Financial Incorporated and AARP Funds, and Hye-Won Choi, Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Governance for TIAA-CREF. Fred Joseph, President of the North American Securities Administrators Association and Securities Administrator for the State of Colorado, will be an ex officio participant.

The Advisory Committee's other members will include:

The Advisory Committee will begin its work in the next few weeks, after the SEC staff files the Committee's charter with Congress.