Richard Best

Richard Best is the Director of the Division of Examinations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.  He became Director in May 2022, after having served as its Acting Director since March 2022.  He was previously the Regional Director of the Salt Lake Regional Office, serving from July 2015 to February 2018, Regional Director of the Atlanta Regional Office, serving from February 2018 to September 2020, and Regional Director of the New York Regional Office serving from September 2020 to March 2022.

Before coming to the Commission, Mr. Best was a Chief Counsel in the Department of Enforcement of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).  Mr. Best was also a Director, Senior Trial Attorney and Trial Attorney at FINRA.

Mr. Best previously worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Office of the Bronx County District Attorney.  He was a supervisor in the Office’s Rackets Bureau where he managed high-profile public integrity and organized crime prosecutions, among other matters.   

Mr. Best received his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York, College at Old Westbury, and a law degree from the Howard University School of Law.