Michael Dicke Named Associate Regional Director for Enforcement in SEC's San Francisco Regional Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2008-192

Washington, D.C., Sept. 10, 2008 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the promotion of Michael Dicke to Associate Regional Director for Enforcement in the agency's San Francisco Regional Office. Mr. Dicke will lead a large staff of attorneys, accountants and other professionals who investigate and litigate federal securities law violations in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Alaska.

Mr. Dicke, 44, joined the SEC in 1996 as a staff attorney after five years in private practice. Since then, he has served in several supervisory capacities. Most recently, Mr. Dicke served as an Assistant Regional Director for Enforcement since 2005. He replaces Marc Fagel, who was recently promoted to Regional Director of the San Francisco office.

"For more than a decade, Mike has been investigating and bringing important cases for the benefit of investors," said Linda Chatman Thomsen, Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement. "Mike is an outstanding lawyer who has been instrumental in the success of the San Francisco office. It has been a great privilege to work with him."

Mr. Fagel said, "Mike enjoys tackling cutting-edge legal issues, and is tenacious but even-handed in pursuing wrongdoers. Investors are fortunate to have him as their advocate."

Mr. Dicke added, "It is a great honor to work closely with so many exceptionally talented and dedicated colleagues in the San Francisco office. I am proud to be part of a group that demonstrates on a daily basis its commitment to vigorous securities law enforcement that furthers the Commission's mission of protecting the investing public."

During his tenure at the SEC, Mr. Dicke has investigated, litigated, and supervised numerous high profile and significant enforcement actions brought by the San Francisco office. Among other things, Mr. Dicke has played a significant role in overseeing many recent stock option backdating cases, as well as multiple cases involving financial fraud by public companies, investment adviser and mutual fund misconduct, and penny stock fraud.

Mr. Dicke received his J.D. degree magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1990, and his B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1986.

# # #

For more information, contact:

Marc Fagel
Regional Director, SEC's San Francisco Regional Office
(415) 705-2449

http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2008/2008-192.htm