Gerald Rome, who has been Colorado’s chief securities regulator since June 2014, will retire at the end of November.

Rome will be succeeded by Chris Myklebust, the deputy executive director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, the parent of Rome’s division, DORA Executive Director Marguerite Salazar announced Monday.

Before being named commissioner of the Colorado Division of Securities, Rome was deputy commissioner for a decade.

As commissioner, Rome has led state efforts to crack down on fraudulent investment schemes, regulate crowdfunding and protect vulnerable adults from exploitation.

DORA said that during his tenure as commissioner, “the Division brought dozens of enforcement actions that resulted in restitution orders for investors in excess of $20 million, and in excess of 24 enforcement cases that resulted in criminal convictions. These convictions also resulted in a combined 159 years of prison time for perpetrators of securities-related crimes in Colorado, and more cases are currently pending.”

“Jerry has truly demonstrated what it means to be a civil servant for the people of Colorado throughout his career in securities industry regulation,” Salazar said. “From his steadfast pursuit of justice for victims of fraud to his work implementing programs and legislation aimed at prevention of crimes of fraud, theft and exploitation, Jerry never wavered from his mission to protect Coloradans. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

In a statement, Rome called it “a privilege to work at the Division of Securities for the past 18 years, especially with the talented and dedicated staff of the Division. I have been very fortunate to work on behalf of retail investors here in Colorado, a dream job for me, on diverse and challenging enforcement cases, and with a robust and efficient examination program. I look forward to following the Division’s continuing achievements on behalf of Colorado investors in years to come.”

Myklebust is a former state bank and financial services commissioner at DORA. He left the agency a year ago to start a business before returning last May.

“Chris brings a depth of experience not only with Colorado’s financial and securities industries, but he also understands the importance of creating a fair regulatory environment so that innovation can thrive while working to keep consumers and investors safe,” Salazar said. “His focus on policy regarding blockchain technology and the ways it might affect the future of financial transactions and its impact on businesses and consumers will be vital as more and more cryptocurrencies in the form of securities are offered to Coloradans to invest in.”

“I’m thrilled to be part of the incredible legacy that the Division of Securities has built around protecting consumers in Colorado,” Myklebust said. “I appreciate the many people providing fair and honest services within Colorado’s regulated securities industry. To benefit the reputation of those compliant businesses and to protect consumers, the Division of Securities will continue to respond vigorously to those that engage in illegal activities and seize upon opportunities to prey on people. I’m honored to begin my work with the sophisticated people at the Division of Securities who are especially passionate about protecting our most vulnerable citizens.”