Barbara Roper Gets Key SEC Post

"With investor protection at the core of the SEC's mission, I'm looking forward to bringing that same focus on the needs of individual investors to my work for the SEC," she explained.

Responding to the news, CFP Board CEO Kevin R. Keller, said: "CFP Board applauds U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler's appointment of Barbara Roper as senior advisor to the Chair. Ms. Roper is uniquely qualified to assist the chair in advancing the agency's mission."

"While most people know Barbara Roper for her life's work on investor protection issues, we've watched for years as she's engaged tirelessly with industry participants to find common ground. Ms. Roper [has] generously shared her expertise by serving with distinction on three CFP Board commissions," Keller explained in a statement.

The CFP Board commissions Roper has served on are:

• The Commission on Standards, which developed CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct,
• The Standards Resource Commission, which develops guidance resources interpreting the Code and Standards, and
• The Public Policy Council, which helps inform CFP Board's public policy positions.

A 35-year veteran of the consumer group, Roper has been a prominent advocate on investor protection issues, particularly the standards that apply to investment professionals giving advice and recommendations. She is a graduate of Princeton University.

Related: Consumer Group Presses SEC's Gensler to Define Best Interest and Why Reg BI Will Push More BDs Into RIA Model