The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently appointed Natasha Vij Greiner and Keith E. Cassidy as interim acting co-directors of the Division of Examinations, effective immediately. The decision comes due to the Division’s director Richard Best taking an extended medical leave, according to a July 25 news release.
“My thoughts are with Rich as he’s away from the agency on medical leave,” SEC Chair Gary Gensler said in the release. “I thank Natasha and Keith for stepping in on an interim basis to lead the Division of Examinations. They are both strong leaders who have earned the respect of their colleagues throughout the agency.”
Greiner is currently the deputy director of the Division and also holds the position of national associate director of the Investment Adviser/Investment Company (IA/IC) examination program, including the Private Funds Unit, and associate director of the Home Office IA/IC examination program, according to the release. With more than 21 years of experience at the SEC, she has served in various capacities, including acting chief counsel and assistant chief counsel in the Division of Trading and Markets, focusing on legal and policy matters related to market participants and securities markets.
She also spent nearly a decade in the Division of Enforcement, investigating potential violations of federal securities laws, the release reported. Greiner holds a J.D. from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law and a B.S. degree from James Madison University.
Cassidy, who also serves as deputy director of the Division, has been assigned the role of national associate director of the Division's Technology Controls Program (TCP), overseeing examinations of Regulation SCI entities, the SEC's CyberWatch program and the Cybersecurity Program Office, according to the release. In addition to his work at the SEC, Cassidy is an infantry officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and holds the position of executive officer of 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, earning several accolades, including a Bronze Star.
Cassidy previously served as director of the Commission's Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and as chief of staff and counsel at the Department of Justice's Office of Legislative Affairs, the release said. Cassidy holds a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School, an LL.M. in Securities and Financial Regulation with distinction from Georgetown Law Center and a B.A. from the University of Virginia.
Greiner and Cassidy will assume their new roles as interim acting co-directors while continuing to fulfill their existing leadership positions within the Division, as per the release.
