SEC director in Salt Lake City retires

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The first and so far only director of the Salt Lake Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission is retiring.

Kenneth Israel is retiring after 38 years with the agency whose task is to protect investors and regulate public companies and markets.

Israel's last day was Thursday. He has been head of the Salt Lake office since 1994.

"Having served on the front lines protecting investors and our markets for decades, Ken has earned the agency's lasting gratitude," SEC Chair Mary Jo White said in a statement announcing his retirement.

Israel began working at the SEC in 1975. He transferred to the Denver Regional Office in 1981 and became chief for enforcement in the Salt Lake branch office in 1987 and director in 1994. The branch became a regional office in 2007 and Israel remained as director.