On 13 June 2025, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (US SEC) appointed Erik Hotmire as Chief External Affairs Officer and Director of the Office of Public Affairs, effective 16 June 2025.
He was previously Senior Advisor and spokesman to US SEC Chairman Christopher Cox and also advised the US SEC’s Division of Enforcement. During the George W. Bush Administration, he served as Special Assistant to the President and White House domestic policy spokesman.
In the private sector, Mr. Hotmire held senior leadership positions at global communications advisory firms, including as partner and co-founder of Watermark Strategies, global co-lead of financial institutions at Brunswick Group, senior managing director at Teneo, and partner at FGS Global. He began his career in radio and television journalism and holds a B.A. in political science from Taylor University.
Welcoming Mr. Hotmire back to the agency, US SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins stated: “I am delighted that Erik is coming back to the SEC to provide his talents and experience to continue our meaningful outreach to those interested in our activities. His leadership will be essential for helping market participants and investors clearly understand our priorities and actions, guided by the SEC’s core mission: investor protection; fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and capital formation.”
Reflecting on his new role, Mr. Hotmire commented: “I am honored Chairman Atkins asked me to join him and valued SEC colleagues to advance the Commission’s vital work for investors and the capital markets. I look forward to engaging market participants and the investing public, especially given the nation’s rapidly changing and vibrant financial system.”
