WHO IS PAUL ATKINS?

Paul Atkin’s name is going to be more familiar to investors, in all likelihood, Mary Jo White is leaving as head of the SEC at the end of the Obama presidency. Donald Trump has tapped former Republican SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins to manage transition efforts at the SEC and other financial agencies. Mr. Adkins is viewed by some to be himself a top contender to be SEC Chairman.

Affluence is known primarily for his conservative views on enforcement penalties and corporate governance. That means, that the proposals for companies to disclose pay raises between CEOs and employees, and to disclose the potential effects of global warming on corporations, will go by the wayside.

Atkins was also a staunch critic of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which regulates accounting firms that audit public companies. The PCAOB has substantially driven up the costs of audits for companies doing an IPO or reverse merger.

Atkins was also a strong proponent of the 2012 Jump Start Our Business Startups Act, which scaled back some SEC rules to help smaller companies raise money. It is expected of if Atkins becomes SEC Chairman, he will continue his advocacy in this regard for the creation of venture exchanges for mid-cap stocks and broadening the exemptions for private capital raising from state regulation. These actions could create a virtual boom in Regulation A and other going public transactions.

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference. If Paul Atkin gets his way, things are going to change, and change fast, for small companies seeking capital.