The Securities and Exchange Commission has announced the upcoming retirement of Ken Johnson, its Chief Operating Officer since December 2017, effective this December.
Chairman Paul S. Atkins lauded Mr. Johnson’s extensive contributions, stating, "Ken has been an integral leader at the SEC for more than two decades. Having known him both as a Commissioner and now as Chairman, I can attest to his ultimate integrity in serving this agency and the country. His adept oversight of SEC operations and administrative functions has significantly furthered our mission. I will certainly miss his wise counsel and extend my best wishes for his future endeavors."
As COO, Mr. Johnson has overseen a broad spectrum of the SEC's operational and administrative functions. This encompassed critical areas such as Human Resources, Acquisitions, Financial Management, Information Technology, the EDGAR Business Office, the Office of the Chief Data Officer, and Support Operations, which includes Freedom of Information Act, Records Management, and Facilities Management functions.
Reflecting on his tenure, Mr. Johnson expressed his gratitude: "I want to thank Chairman Atkins, the Commissioners, and my many friends and colleagues over the years. It has been the honor of a lifetime to collaborate with the exceptional staff of the SEC. I also want to extend a special appreciation to the Commission’s operational and administrative professionals, whose skillful work behind the scenes is crucial in enabling the agency to continue its vital work on behalf of investors and our markets."
Prior to his role as COO, Mr. Johnson held the position of the SEC’s chief financial officer from 2010 to 2017. His journey at the agency began in 2003, having first served as a management analyst and then chief management analyst until 2010, after joining the SEC from the Congressional Budget Office.
Mr. Johnson holds an undergraduate degree from Stanford University and a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.