Board Hires Public Affairs Director

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) announced today that it has hired Christi Harlan as its Public Affairs Director, effective April 14. “Christi’s extensive experience in facilitating communications on complex financial and accounting issues will be extremely valuable to the Board as we continue to carry out our mission,” said Charles D. Niemeier, Acting Chairman of the Board.

In commenting on her new position, Ms. Harlan said, “This is a terrific opportunity to be in on the ground floor of an organization that has a very important role to fulfill for investors and other members of the public. I look forward to working with the Board to ensure that investors and the public are aware of the Board’s actions to restore confidence and responsibility in our markets.”

Currently, Ms. Harlan is Public Affairs Director of the Securities and Exchange Commission, where she has provided advice and assistance in connection with announcements of significant new rules, including rules to implement the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Prior to joining the Commission, she served as Director of External Affairs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and as Communications Director for the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. She also spent 20 years as a reporter, including six years at The Wall Street Journal.

Ms. Harlan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and English from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, and a Masters of Studies in Law degree from Yale Law School.