Sarahelen “Sally” Thompson will become the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ new Deputy Director, starting on July 24.
In her new role, Dr. Thompson, who joined BEA four years ago as the top executive overseeing international economic statistics, will work closely with BEA Director Brian Moyer and his executive team to improve and expand the agency’s statistical programs.
“In this rapidly changing economic environment, it is essential that we keep BEA’s statistics relevant and up to date,” said Dr. Moyer in announcing the selection. “We are fortunate to have someone like Sally with the skills and dedication to move us forward and to help us tackle the variety of measurement challenges confronting our economic accounts.”
As Associate Director for International Economics, Dr. Thompson has been responsible for the production of BEA’s international statistics, including the current account, the U.S. investment position and the operations of multinational enterprises. In her current post, Dr. Thompson led the most significant restructuring of BEA’s international statistics since 1976, played a key role in developing statistics that track new direct investment by foreigners in the United States, and oversaw the creation of a data tool to provide easier access to BEA’s vast array of international statistics.
Before she came to BEA, Dr. Thompson was director of the Market and Trade Economics Division at the USDA’s Economic Research Service. Prior to that, she worked in academia, including as a professor and head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University and as a professor of Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois. Dr. Thompson received a doctorate from Stanford University and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Thompson takes over the No. 2 post from Dr. Moyer, who, since being elevated to Director in September 2014, also has been filling in as acting Deputy Director.