George Canellos and Andrew Ceresney have been named co-directors of the Securities and Exchange Commission's enforcement division — the first time two leaders have been tapped for the group.
Canellos, 48, has been acting director of the division since January, and before that was deputy director before since June 2012, and director of the SEC's New York Regional Office since July 2009.
Ceresney's career has tracked closely with SEC chairman Mary Jo White's and he has been characterized as her lieutenant.
Like White, Ceresney, 41, he has been a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, representing individuals and firms in white collar criminal and SEC and internal corporate investigations as well as civil litigation. He also served as deputy chief appellate attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan, where he was a member of the securities and commodities fraud task force and major crimes unit.
"George and Andrew are two of the best lawyers and finest people I know," White said. "They are a perfect combination to lead the talented enforcement division professionals who protect investors and keep our markets safe and vibrant."
The enforcement division is the SEC's largest unit, with more than 1,200 investigators, accountants, trial attorneys and professionals.
