WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 4, 2006 - Miami attorney Armando J. Bucelo, Jr., is the new chairman of the board of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which was created by Congress to maintain a special reserve fund to help investors at bankrupt brokerage firms. Mr. Bucelo already has been active for three years as a presidential appointee on the board of SIPC, upon which he is both the first Hispanic and first Floridian to so serve his nation.
Bucelo was appointed by President Bush as a director of SIPC in 2002 and became vice chairman of the board in 2003. He is stepping into the position formerly held by W. R. "Tim" Timken, Jr., who was chairman of the board of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation from 2003 to 2005.
SIPC Board Chairman Bucelo said: "I am honored to have been chosen to serve my country in this important capacity. The work of SIPC is integral to confidence in the integrity and fairness of our capital markets. It is part of my focus to ensure that all Americans -- including those who may be new to this nation and those who may not speak English as their first language - learn of how the Securities Investor Protection Corporation can serve them."
Bucelo also serves on the board of directors of the National Housing Development Corporation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving affordable housing in partnership with local communities, empowering individuals and revitalizing communities. He was appointed by the governor as a trustee of the board of directors of Miami Dade Community College and has served in that capacity since 1999. Bucelo was also a director of Freddie Mac under the George H.W. Bush administration.
Bucelo is the recipient of numerous awards and honors for his extensive civic activities. Born in Havana, Cuba, he received his B.S. and J.D. from the University of Miami. Bucelo is a member of the Florida Bar and the Inter-American Bar. He is admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States as well as various United States Tax and District Courts.