Longtime Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staffer Sebastian Gomez Abero has been named Deputy Director of the SEC’s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation (OASB). Gomez Abero has been serving as Senior Advisor to SEC Chairman Jay Clayton.
The OASB was created as a voice for underserved sectors of the economy such as smaller, private firms that frequently struggle to raise growth capital. The OASB has been a supporter of improving existing crowdfunding regulations along with other recommendations.
According to the SEC, Gomez Abero will oversee strategic initiatives and help lead the team in the Office of the Advocate, which is focused on advocating for solutions to challenges faced by small businesses and their investors in raising capital, from startups to small-cap public companies. The office also proactively works to identify and address challenges faced by minority-owned, women-owned, rural, and natural disaster area-affected small businesses as well as their investors.
Director of the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation Martha Legg Miller issued the following statement on the news:
“Sebastian’s breadth of expertise in capital formation, combined with his passion for supporting entrepreneurs and their investors, is widely known and respected throughout the Commission and beyond. Even more important than his subject matter expertise, Sebastian is an incredibly thoughtful colleague, mentor, and manager, and our office will be stronger because of his leadership. Our team is thrilled to welcome him to our group.”
Chair Clayton said, “Sebastian has been an unwavering advocate for retail investors and entrepreneurship.”
Gomez Abero said he was honored to join such a diverse and talented team.
Since July 2018, Gomez Abero has advised Chair Clayton on issues involving the Division of Corporation Finance, Office of the Chief Accountant, and Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation. He also advised the Chairman on enforcement matters as well as the Commission’s diversity and inclusion efforts.
Prior to joining the SEC in 2007, Gomez Abero practiced law at Hogan Lovells, specializing in corporate governance, disclosure, and SEC compliance.