The Securities and Exchange Commission announced on July 22, 2026, that Sam Waldon, Principal Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement, will depart the agency on July 31, 2026. Waldon has worked at the SEC for more than 14 years. He will be succeeded by Osman Nawaz, who previously served at the SEC from 2010 through 2024 and rejoined the agency in June 2026.

SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins said Waldon’s contributions to the agency and the Division of Enforcement were reflected in the key leadership roles he held during his tenure. Atkins also said he had benefited from Waldon’s counsel and wished him well in his future endeavors.

SEC Director of Enforcement David Woodcock said Waldon’s work ethic and commitment to the Division of Enforcement had been valuable, and that his mentorship to colleagues would be missed. Woodcock said Waldon’s positive impact at the SEC would continue after his departure.

Waldon’s SEC service

Waldon served as Acting Deputy Director from October 2024 to January 2025. He later became Acting Director of Enforcement on two occasions, in 2025 and 2026. Before those roles, he began his SEC career as a staff attorney, later serving as Assistant Chief Counsel and Chief Counsel in the Division of Enforcement from 2022 through 2024.

In 2011, Waldon received the SEC’s Philip A. Loomis, Jr. Award for outstanding legal scholarship, analysis, and draftsmanship in creating workable solutions to difficult legal and policy issues while exhibiting the highest caliber of personal and professional integrity. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Virginia Tech and a juris doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law.

Nawaz’s enforcement background

Nawaz previously held several roles in the Division of Enforcement, including staff attorney, Assistant Regional Director, and Chief of the Complex Financial Instruments Unit. Waldon thanked Chairman Atkins and Commissioners Peirce and Uyeda for the opportunity to work under their leadership, as well as colleagues in the Division of Enforcement. He also thanked Woodcock and Nawaz for their friendship and stewardship of the Division.

I take great comfort in knowing that Enforcement has never been in better hands.