SEC Names Paul Knight Chief Operating Officer

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced on July 6, 2026 that Paul Knight has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of the SEC, as detailed in Press Release 2026-62. Knight succeeds Charlene Arietti Gold, who had been serving as Acting COO.

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SEC Appoints Paul Knight Chief Operating Officer

Highlights

  • The SEC's chief operating officer post has gone to Paul Knight.
  • The SEC announced the appointment on July 6, 2026.
  • Knight spent nearly 12 years at JPMorgan Chase before rejoining the agency.
  • His earlier stint at the agency ran from 2008 through 2012.
  • Charlene Arietti Gold had been serving as Acting COO prior to the appointment.

A Return to the Commission

Knight previously served at the SEC from 2008 to 2012, where he held the role of interim managing executive for the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis. Following his first stint at the agency, he worked as a senior advisor and business manager at the U.S. Treasury Department between 2012 and 2014.

Knight then spent nearly 12 years at JPMorgan Chase. During his time there, he managed the program office for the Chase Bank expansion into 25 new states and later served as principal lead for driving growth across U.S. lines of business.

Background and Education

His working life began while he was still in college, at a small firm in Annapolis, Maryland, where he grew up. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and a Master of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School. A Cornell University certificate in commercial real estate rounds out his credentials.

New Role and Oversight

In the role, his portfolio spans human resources, acquisitions, financial management, the EDGAR Business Office, and the offices of the chief data officer, chief risk officer, and support operations. The Office of Support Operations includes Freedom of Information Act, Records Management, and Facilities Management functions.

Statements

Agency leadership voiced delight at Knight's return to the SEC. Knight's background inside and outside the Commission was cited as preparing him to lead the dedicated public servants whose work safeguards investors and strengthens capital markets.

Knight, for his part, called it an honor to rejoin the SEC's professional staff and support the Commission's work.