06/23/2026
Like many former Federal Reserve employees, I was saddened to learn of the passing of Alan Greenspan, who served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve for much of my 21-year career at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
Throughout his tenure, I witnessed his leadership during periods of economic uncertainty, financial market volatility, and national crises. But it wasn't until September 11, 2001, that I fully understood the immense responsibility carried by the Chairman of the Federal Reserve.
At the time of the attacks, Chairman Greenspan was vacationing in Switzerland. With U.S. air travel grounded, extraordinary measures were taken to bring him back to Washington immediately. The nation's financial system needed stability, liquidity, and confidence, and the Federal Reserve moved swiftly to ensure our economy continued to function during one of the most difficult periods in modern American history.
I remember being stranded in Dallas, Texas, attending bank examiner school, unable to return home for nearly two weeks. Those were uncertain days for all of us. Yet, through it all, the Federal Reserve's leadership remained calm, focused, and committed to maintaining confidence in our financial system.
A few years later, I had the honor of meeting Chairman Greenspan at a reception hosted by the Board of Governors. My role at the time reported both to the Atlanta Fed and the Board, which afforded me opportunities to interact with leaders across the Federal Reserve System. While Chairman Greenspan was a man of modest physical stature, his influence on monetary policy and the global economy was immeasurable.
One of my proudest professional accomplishments remains earning my examiner commission—signed by Chairman Greenspan himself.
His legacy will undoubtedly be debated by economists and historians for years to come. But for those of us who served within the Federal Reserve System during his tenure, we witnessed firsthand a leader entrusted with extraordinary responsibility during some of the nation's most pivotal moments.
Rest well, Chairman Greenspan, and thank you for your decades of service to our country and its financial system.