Robinson, 37, has been serving in that role at the commission for the past few weeks, sources said. Before joining the SEC, Robinson was vice president of corporate communications at Friedman Billings Ramsey, an investment firm in Arlington, Va. Robinson also was previously a spokesman for Mobil Corp. and the National Association of Securities Dealers. He worked at the Justice Dept. and the White House from 1989 through 1991.

Robinson received his bachelor's degree from S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Maxwell School of Citizenship at Syracuse University.