Whitcomb joins the Exchange from Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., where he was a Vice President in the Compliance Department since 1999. At Schwab, Whitcomb provided compliance coverage for the firm's Capital Markets and Active Trader units. Whitcomb began his career at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission where he was an attorney and branch chief in the Division of Enforcement from 1989 to 1999. In that role, Whitcomb worked on the investigation and enforcement action involving the NASD and certain Nasdaq market-makers. During his tenure at the SEC, Whitcomb received the Ellen B. Ross Award in 1998 and the Chairman's Award for Excellence in 1996.
On Whitcomb's hiring, Dave Herron, CHX CEO, said, "There is no question that market integrity is our top priority. Dave's hiring will benefit the investing public as he brings to the Exchange a history of excellence and dedication that will strengthen our regulatory capabilities and heighten our ability to be a pro-active Self-Regulatory Organization."
Lee Mitchell, CHX Chairman, said, "It was important we find someone of Dave's caliber for this position. Dave's unique combination of enforcement experience at the SEC and compliance experience at a large, diversified firm like Charles Schwab make him ideal for this important post. In an industry beset with regulatory issues, it was paramount for us to enlist someone who has worked in complicated regulatory environments and who knows the importance of protecting the investing public."
Whitcomb holds a B.A. from Clark University and a J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law. Whitcomb also holds a Series 7 and 24.
The Chicago Stock Exchange was founded May 15, 1882. The CHX is a strong force for competition to all U.S. markets. The CHX trades more than 3,500 NYSE, AMEX, NASDAQ and CHX-exclusive issues.
