A trio of executives are following outgoing chair, William Donaldson, in leaving the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The SEC announced that Peter Derby, managing executive for operations and management, announced that he intends to leave the commission at the end of July to explore options in both the private and public sectors. Matthew Well, Director of the Office of Public Affairs, intends to leave the commission this week to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Joseph Hall, managing executive for policy and a member of Donaldson’s senior management team, will leave the commission to join the law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York.

Derby took on his job in April 2003. In this position Derby assisted Donaldson with the task of increasing the SEC’s operational effectiveness and responsiveness while considering administrative, operational and management issues. He oversaw: the creation of the Risk Management Program and the Office of Risk Assessment; producing the first-ever audited financial statements of the commission; the integration of technology into document management initiatives; among other things.

Hall assisted Donaldson in directing the commission’s policy-making and enforcement activities. He joined the commission as Senior Policy Fellow in the Office of General Counsel in October 2003.

Well was the agency’s principal spokesperson, and was responsible for developing and executing internal and external communications programs, and providing strategic counsel to Donaldson and division heads.