Washington, D.C., Jan. 5, 2009 (LAWFUEL) – The Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox today announced the appointment of Alta G. Rodriguez as Acting Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Director for the SEC.
The SEC’s EEO Office works to ensure that the agency’s professional staff is comprised of diverse backgrounds that reflect the diversity of the investing public. The EEO Office’s primary mission is to prevent employment discrimination and harassment, and ensure that all SEC employees have the working environment necessary to support their efforts to protect investors, maintain orderly markets, and promote capital formation. Deborah K. Balducchi, Director of SEC’s EEO Office since 1996, recently retired.
Ms. Rodriguez has served as the EEO Deputy Director at the SEC since October 2008. She previously served as Manager, National Diversity Initiatives, for the United States Postal Service (USPS), where she led a network of 130 diversity specialists, serving approximately 700,000 postal employees nationwide. .
Chairman Cox said, “Ms. Rodriguez’s extensive experience on issues related to diversity and equal employment opportunity will ensure that our EEO program continues to help the SEC maintain a fair and efficient workplace, and a diverse and professional staff focused on the interests of investors.”
Ms. Rodriguez said, “I’m honored to be named by Chairman Cox as the Acting EEO Director and I’m eager to contribute to the SEC’s noble mission of protecting investors, maintaining fair, orderly and efficient markets, and facilitating capital formation.”
Ms. Rodriguez, a former litigator with an emphasis on employment and business litigation, spearheaded a number of initiatives to promote the Postal Service’s domestic and international products and services within the diverse communities it serves. She also was responsible for, among other things, monitoring compliance with applicable EEO laws, developing and promoting best practices in the areas of diversity and inclusion, and managing the implementation of national diversity programs focused on creating an inclusive workplace and marketplace. During Ms. Rodriguez’s tenure, the Postal Service was named “One of the Best Companies for Hispanics” by HispanicBusiness, and “Public-Sector Employer of the Year” by Careers & the disABLED.
Born in Mexico and raised in Southern California, Ms. Rodriguez is the daughter of migrant workers and the oldest of seven children. She graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Mass., in 1990 with a BA degree in Government and a Certificate in International Relations. She has studied at the Institute of Political Studies (Paris, France) and at the University of Paris. Ms. Rodriguez received her law degree from the UCLA School of Law in 1996 and is a member of the California State Bar.
