The longest-serving chairman
of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Appointed by President Bill
Clinton in July 1993, Levitt was reappointed to a second five-year term in May
1998. He resigned in February 2001. Levitt’s term was characterized by a strong
emphasis on investor protection. He was considered an advocate for small,
individual investors, and in 2002 published a book that lists the seven deadly
sins that the financial industry commits against investors. Before becoming SEC
chairman, Levitt owned Roll Call, a
newspaper that covers Capitol Hill. From 1989 to 1993, Levitt was the chairman
of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. He was the chairman of
the American Stock Exchange from 1978 to 1989.