Jackie Cottrell to Depart as Director of the PCAOB’s Office of External Affairs

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) today announced that Ms. Jackie Cottrell, the Director of the Office of External Affairs (OEA), will be leaving the PCAOB on April 21 to take a new role at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

“Jackie’s departure is truly a loss for the PCAOB and for this Board. She has been a tireless advocate and spokesperson for the PCAOB,” said PCAOB Chair Erica Y. Williams. “While we are sad to see her go, we are happy that Jackie is realizing a long-held dream. She will be missed.”

“It’s bittersweet to leave the mission of investor protection and the dedicated Board members and staff who are committed to serving the public interest,” said Ms. Cottrell. “While I look forward to working on conservation issues that are my personal passion, I will continue to cheer for the PCAOB from the sidelines.”

Ms. Cottrell joined the PCAOB as OEA Director in June 2020, following nearly 18 years as the Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Pat Roberts. During her PCAOB tenure, the organization completed major communications initiatives, including a comprehensive branding overhaul and the relaunch of its public website.

In light of Ms. Cottrell’s departure, Kent Bonham has been appointed Acting Director of OEA. Mr. Bonham is OEA’s Deputy Director for Government Relations and Outreach. As Acting Director, Mr. Bonham will continue to advance OEA’s focus on enhancing the PCAOB’s transparency and accessibility to accomplish OEA’s core functions of external and internal communications, government relations, and stakeholder engagement and outreach.

“Kent steps into the Acting Director role with deep experience in communications, outreach, and public policy, including 15 years at our organization,” said Chair Williams. “We are pleased he will serve in this important position at the PCAOB.”

Since 2007, Mr. Bonham has overseen PCAOB relations with the U.S. Congress, as well as various federal and state government agencies. He has also overseen the PCAOB Scholars Program, the PCAOB forums, and other outreach events. Mr. Bonham joined the PCAOB after six years with Clark & Weinstock, Inc., a corporate advisory, lobbying, and consulting firm in Washington. Earlier, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, a member of the Senate Banking Committee. He received a B.A. from Colby College and an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.

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About the PCAOB

The PCAOB is a nonprofit corporation established by Congress to oversee the audits of public companies in order to protect investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate, and independent audit reports. The PCAOB also oversees the audits of brokers and dealers, including compliance reports filed pursuant to federal securities laws.

Contact

PCAOB Office of Communications and Engagement
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