President Barack Obama has nominated former U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission.

White served New York's Southern District for nearly a decade, specializing in investigating and prosecuting large-scale white-collar crimes along with securities and banking fraud.

She also served as director of the NASDAQ stock exchange.

In accepting her nomination, White thanked her husband for his support and said Thursday is also her 43rd wedding anniversary.

White House officials say her experience will be essential to the administration's efforts to implement Wall Street reform.