John C. Williams (economist)
John C. Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 12, 1962 Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Economist |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Known for | President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York |
John Carroll Williams (born June 12, 1962) is a distinguished American economist currently serving as the president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, a position he has held since June 2018. Prior to this, he was at the helm of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco from 2011 through 2018. In his present capacity, Williams also fulfills the role of ex officio vice chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee.
Early life and education
Williams was born in 1962 in Sacramento, California, where he was raised as the son of a state attorney. His secondary education took place at Encina High School located in Sacramento County.
He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1984. Subsequently, he earned a Master of Science in economics at the London School of Economics in 1989. Williams completed his doctoral studies with a Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University in 1994.
Career
Williams launched his professional journey in 1994, joining the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as an economist. In 2002, he transitioned to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, initially serving as a research advisor. By 2009, he advanced to executive vice president and director of research at the same institution. He then assumed leadership as president and CEO of the San Francisco Fed from 2011 until his departure in 2018.
On June 18, 2018, Williams took office as president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. His speeches often emphasize topics such as the natural rate of interest (commonly referred to as "R-star"), principles of sustainable economic expansion, and shifting macroeconomic landscapes.
Other positions held
Throughout his career, Williams has contributed editorial expertise to several leading economic publications. He was an associate editor for the Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control between 2001 and 2005, held a similar role at the American Economic Review from 2005 to 2008, and served as managing editor for the International Journal of Central Banking during 2011–2016. Additionally, he acted as senior economist at the Council of Economic Advisers from 1999 to 2000 and taught as a lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2008.
Personal life
Williams is married to Audrey Lyndon, who is a professor specializing in health equity and serves as associate dean at the New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing. The couple has two sons and resides in New York City.