Natasha Vij Greiner and Keith E. Cassidy on Tuesday were named interim co-directors of the Securities and Exchange Commission's examinations division, effective immediately, while Richard Best, the division's director, is on extended medical leave.
"My thoughts are with Rich as he's away from the agency on medical leave," said SEC Chairman Gary Gensler in a news 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."
Both Ms. Greiner and Mr. Cassidy were appointed as the examinations division's deputy directors in November.
Ms. Greiner has been with the SEC for 21 years and also serves as the national associate director of the investment adviser/investment company (IA/IC) examination program, which includes the private funds unit, and is the associate director of the home office IA/IC examination program.
Mr. Cassidy, who has been with the SEC for more than 12 years, is also the national associate director of the division's technology controls program (TCP) with responsibility for examinations of Regulation SCI entities and for overseeing the SEC's CyberWatch program and the cybersecurity program office.
Both Ms. Greiner and Mr. Cassidy will continue to serve in their current leadership roles within the division, the SEC said.
The examinations division said in February that its 2023 priorities will include compliance with newly adopted rules, ESG investing and crypto assets.
Mr. Best, who joined the SEC in 2015, has served as the division's director since May 2022; he previously served as director of three SEC regional offices: New York, Atlanta and Salt Lake City. Prior to joining the SEC, Mr. Best held supervisory, litigation and investigative positions at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
