https://www.sec.gov/news/pressrelease/2016-136.

html

Press Release
Sean McKessy, Chief of Whistleblower Office, to Leave SEC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2016-136
Washington D.C., July 8, 2016 The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Sean
McKessy, Chief of the SECs Office of the Whistleblower, is planning to leave the agency later this
month.
Mr. McKessy became the first head of SECs whistleblower program in February 2011 and helped
establish the whistleblower office that assesses and reviews all whistleblower tips received by the
agency, evaluates whistleblower award claims, and makes recommendations to the Commission on
whether claimants have satisfied eligibility requirements to receive an award.
The SECs whistleblower program has had a transformative impact on the agency, and Seans service
as the first head of the Whistleblower Office has contributed greatly to the programs success, said
Andrew J. Ceresney, Director of the SECs Enforcement Division. Sean has been a staunch advocate
for whistleblowers, a relentless promoter of the program, and an invaluable advisor on these issues.
Mr. McKessy said, It has been an honor and pleasure to serve as the first Chief of the SECs Office of
the Whistleblower. Working with the extraordinarily talented and dedicated staff of the Whistleblower
Office and the Enforcement Division in standing up a groundbreaking and exemplary Whistleblower
Office has been the highlight of my professional career.
During Mr. McKessys tenure as Chief of the Office of the Whistleblower:
The office has reviewed more than 14,000 whistleblower tips from individuals in every state in the
country as well as the District of Columbia and 95 foreign countries.
More than $85 million has been awarded to 32 whistleblowers. Because of the information and
assistance provided by these whistleblowers, the SEC was able to bring successful enforcement
actions where more than $504 million was ordered in sanctions, including more than $346 million in
disgorgement and interest for harmed investors. More than $453 million has been collected in
connection with these actions as well as successful related actions.
The SEC also has brought actions to ensure that employees feel secure in reporting wrongdoing to
the SEC, without fear of reprisal from their employers, including its first enforcement actions under
the anti-retaliation provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and against a company for including language
in confidentiality agreements that impeded whistleblowers from reporting to the SEC.
Mr. McKessy also worked at the SEC from 1997 to 2000, serving as a Senior Counsel in the
Enforcement Division.
Mr. McKessy has served as corporate secretary for Altria Group Inc. and AOL Inc., and as securities
counsel for Caterpillar Inc. In these roles, Mr. McKessy developed and supervised internal compliance
and reporting programs related to the federal securities laws, served as corporate compliance officer,

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and coordinated the reporting of potential violations to boards of directors.

Mr. McKessy received the SECs Law and Policy Award in 2011 for his involvement with the
implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act.
The Whistleblower Offices Deputy Chief Jane Norberg will serve as Acting Chief following Mr.
McKessys departure.

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