Childhood & Early Life
Jerome Hayden “Jay” Powell was born on February 4, 1953, in Washington, D.C., U.S., to private lawyer Jerome Powell and Patricia Hayden. His maternal grandfather was the dean of the 'Columbus School of Law' at the 'Catholic University of America' and a lecturer at the 'Georgetown Law School.' He grew up with five siblings: Susan, Matthew, Tia, Libby, and Monica.
After graduating from the Jesuit institute 'Georgetown Preparatory School' in 1972, Powell attended 'Princeton University.' He obtained his BA degree in politics in 1975. Following this, he continued his studies at the same university and submitted his senior thesis, titled 'South Africa: Forces for Change.'
In 1975, Powell interned as a legislative assistant under Pennsylvania senator Richard Schweiker for a year. He then attended the 'Georgetown University Law Center' and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1979. He also served as the editor-in-chief of the 'Georgetown Law Journal.'
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Political Career
Powell moved back to Washington in 1990. He was appointed as the assistant secretary of the treasury for finance under the administration of President George H. W. Bush. He was later promoted to the position of the under secretary of the treasury secretary, Nicholas F. Brady, the former chairman of 'Dillon Read and Company.'
During his tenure in the treasury for finance, Jerome Powell supervised the policies of the financial institutions and the treasury debt market. He supervised the investigation of the false bidding case of the investment bank 'Salomon Brothers.' Under his supervision, Warren Buffett became the chairman of the bank.
Under the new administration of President Bill Clinton, Powell was appointed as the managing director of the 'Bankers Trust' in 1993. He resigned in 1995, when several clients of the bank suffered heavy losses due to derivative deals.
In 1997, Powell became a partner at the private-equity and asset-management firm named 'The Carlyle Group.' He established the 'Industrial Group' for the 'Carlyle U.S. Buyout Fund.' He quit 'Carlyle' in 2005.
He then established the private-investment firm 'Severn Capital Partners.' In 2008, Powell joined the private-investment and venture-capital firm 'Global Environment Fund' as a managing partner.
As a visiting scholar (2010 to 2012) at the Washington-based think tank 'Bipartisan Policy Center,' Jerome Powell persuaded congressional ‘Republicans’ to raise the debt limit in the wake of the United States debt-ceiling crisis in 2011. He accepted $1 as his annual salary.
Powell's work with the 'Policy Center' impressed Barack Obama, and he nominated him to the ‘Federal Reserve Board of Governors’ in December 2011. He emerged as a prominent ‘Republican’ who actively participated in the internal debates of the ‘Federal Reserve.’
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In May 2012, the senate confirmed Powell's nomination. With this, he became the first opposition party member to be nominated for the post since 1988. He assumed his duties in the ‘Federal Reserve’ on May 25, replacing Frederic Mishkin, who had resigned without completing his term.
During his term with the ‘Federal Reserve,’ Powell voted for four interest-rate increases and supported the revision and strengthening of the bond-buying program implied during the 2008 financial crisis.
In January 2014, Powell was nominated for another term in the ‘Federal Reserve.’ His nomination was confirmed in June 2014. Powell's 14-year term will end on January 31, 2028.
Jerome Powell supported the 'Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform' and the 'Consumer Protection Act' but suggested a more efficient and strategic application. In October 2017, he acknowledged the importance of higher capital and liquidity requirements in making the financial system safer. He also suggested the revision of the 'Volcker Rule,' saying that smaller banks should be excluded from the rule.
In November 2017, Donald Trump nominated Powell as the next ‘Federal Reserve’ chair. The 'Senate Banking Committee' confirmed his nomination on December 5, 2017, with ‘Democratic’ senator Elizabeth Warren as the only opposition. Powell won the position on January 23, 2018, by strong bipartisan support.
He assumed his duties as the 16th chairman of the ‘Board of Governors’ of the ‘Federal Reserve’ on February 5, 2018, for a 4-year term. He also serves as the chairman of the 'Federal Open Market Committee.'
At the annual 'American Economics Association' conference on January 4, 2019, Powell confirmed that he would not resign even if the Trump administration pressurized him to do so.
Facts About Jerome Powell
Jerome Powell is an avid guitar player and has been known to play in a band with other Federal Reserve officials.
He is a dedicated fly fisherman and enjoys spending time outdoors pursuing this hobby.
Powell is a fan of classic cars and has a small collection of vintage automobiles.
He has a passion for history and enjoys visiting museums and historical sites in his free time.
Powell is known for his sense of humor and enjoys telling jokes to lighten the mood during meetings and conferences.
