"Ethiopis has played a significant role representing the SEC internationally, and has been instrumental in identifying and addressing the variety of cross-border issues facing the Commission and its counterparts," said SEC Chairman Harvey L. Pitt. "I have asked Commissioner Roel Campos to lead the Commission's efforts on the international front, and Ethiopis will be instrumental in that effort." "Ethiopis has established himself as an extremely well-respected and highly sought-after expert on international enforcement and regulatory issues in the SEC and abroad," said SEC Commissioner Roel Campos. "His expertise, developed through years in the public and private sector, will serve the investing public well."
As Acting Director, Tafara will assist in planning and directing the Commission's international efforts. He succeeds Felice Friedman.
Tafara, 38, joined the Commission's staff in 1999 as an assistant director in the Office of International Affairs. During his tenure at the Commission, he has helped in the establishment of a regulatory dialogue with the European Commission and promoted improved enforcement cooperation between the SEC and its regulatory counterparts in the Caribbean. He also has helped oversee the Commission's contribution to multilateral groupings such as the International Organization of Securities Commissions.
Before coming to the Commission, Tafara was counsel to the chairperson at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and served in the CFTC's Division of Enforcement in several capacities. He began his legal career in the Brussels office of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton. Tafara received his A.B. from Princeton University and his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center.
