WEST PALM BEACH, FL (www.hedgeco.net) – The Securities and Exchange Chief Accountant, Donald Nicolaisen announced that he will be leaving the agency in October, 2005. Nicolaisen joined the agency in 2003, and he was instrumental in helping the agency introduce and pass initiatives in the area of financial disclosure. He was also credited for assisting the SEC to strengthen its audit process, in an effort to rebuild investor confidence, following the accounting problems which rocked the US business environment several years ago.

SEC Chairman Christopher Cox, commenting on Nicolaisen’s departure said, “Don Nicolaisen has served with distinction during challenging times, and has met every challenge-most notably by establishing landmark new protections for investors during the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley act.” Cox added, “I’m pleased that he has agreed to remain at the SEC long enough to help the agency search for a successor and continue to build on his work for investors and for all who benefit from healthy capital markets.”

In his statement, Nicolaisen said, “Over the last two years I have had the great privilege of working with a highly talented and motivated staff. They are a terrific group working toward the same basic goal – representing the interests of investors, so while I look forward to my return to the private sector, it is not easy to leave this great institution and the professional and personal friendships that I have forged with my colleagues and staff.”

He added, “I am also honored to have served under the leadership of Chairmen Christopher Cox and William Donaldson and I am very proud of what we have accomplished and the steps we have taken to protect investors and to provide stability to our markets. I look forward to working with Chairman Cox to manage an effective transition for my successor however best I can.”

Nicolaisen previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) as a senior partner, where he held various management and leadership positions prior to joining the SEC. Mr. Nicolaisen received his B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1969.

Paul Oranika
Contributing Writer
HedgeCo.Net
Email: Editor@hedgeco.net

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