Paul S. Atkins (Delta–Wofford ’78) was sworn in as Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 21, 2025. He was nominated by President Donald J. Trump in January and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 9 by a vote of 52–44.
Atkins, an alumnus of Wofford College and member of Kappa Alpha Order’s Delta Chapter, previously served as an SEC Commissioner from 2002 to 2008. He also worked as chief of staff to former SEC Chairman Richard C. Breeden and later served as a member of the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets. More recently, he was the CEO of Patomak Global Partners, a financial services consultancy he founded.
In his new role, Chairman Atkins has emphasized the importance of fostering innovation within capital markets. Speaking at the SEC Speaks 2025 event, he stated that the agency should avoid stifling innovation and instead support market development through clearer and more predictable regulatory frameworks. He highlighted areas of focus such as digital asset oversight, streamlining regulatory processes, and ensuring effective investor protections.
Atkins’ appointment has been noted for his prior involvement in digital asset policy. He previously co-chaired the Token Alliance, a blockchain industry initiative, and served as an advisor to the Chamber of Digital Commerce.
He succeeds Gary Gensler and is the 34th individual to serve as SEC Chairman.
