SEC enlists two for PR support
WASHINGTON: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has enlisted two veteran communications professionals to help in the department's efforts during the current economic turmoil.
John Heine, a spokesperson for the SEC, confirmed that Andrew Weinstein and Erik Hotmire began working with the SEC at the beginning of this month. Weinstein, a former corporate communications VP and chief spokesperson for AOL, is a paid consultant for the SEC. Hotmire, a former communications director to Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), is a full-time employee. He was most recently a director at Clark & Weinstock, a government relations and public affairs consulting firm.
“They're here to support the three-member press staff in the SEC's office of public affairs in keeping investors and the general public informed during the current crisis,” said Heine, echoing the words of John Nestor, director of the SEC's public affairs office, who gave a similar quote to Bloomberg.
Heine declined to elaborate further on the nature of the work that either man would be doing.
The media and lawmakers recently criticized the SEC, and chairman Christopher Cox specifically, for inaction as the Wall Street crisis escalated.
