Edmund L. Jenkins was appointed chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Board effective July 1, 1997. Previously, he was managing partner of the Professional Standards Group of Arthur Andersen LLP’s worldwide practice. The Professional Standards Group led by Mr. Jenkins represented Arthur Andersen before the FASB and federal regulators with respect to accounting, auditing, and financial reporting matters. During his 38-year career at the firm, he also served as managing partner of its accounting and audit practice, holding worldwide responsibility for the largest segment of the firm’s professional practice. In that capacity, he was responsible for the firm’s practice before the Securities and Exchange Commission. Before joining the FASB, he served as chairman of the Special Committee on Financial Reporting, constituted by the American Institute of CPAs, and referred to as the "Jenkins Committee." Mr. Jenkins also was a charter member of the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force, serving from the Task Force’s inception in 1984 to 1991. He was a member of the FASB’s Advisory Council from 1991 to 1995. Mr. Jenkins holds a BA degree from Albion College and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and several state societies of CPAs.