Patricia Abaroa is the new Deputy Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis, bringing decades of economic accounting experience to the post.
As Deputy Director, Ms. Abaroa will work to enhance and expand the agency's statistical programs and their impact and help shape BEA’s highest priority research projects.
“We are fortunate to have Patricia in this role. Her deep expertise, innovative mindset, and steady leadership will be invaluable as BEA continues to deliver timely, relevant, and objective economic data to the American public,” said Vipin Arora, BEA’s Director, in making the announcement.
She succeeds Mary Bohman, who retired after 29 years of federal service, including four at BEA.
Ms. Abaroa joined BEA in 2000 and is an expert in international economic accounting. Before becoming Deputy Director, she served as Chief of BEA’s Balance of Payments Division and prior to that was Chief of the Direct Investment Division. In those positions, Abaroa led the development of new statistics, improved timeliness, helped modernize data collection programs, and implemented changes that increased the accuracy of information collected in business surveys.
Fulfilling a goal under the Group of 20, or G20, Data Gaps Initiative, Ms. Abaroa oversaw the development and release of new quarterly statistics on the currency composition of U.S. debt, valuable information for assessing U.S. exposure to foreign currency risks in international investments. For that, she was awarded a Commerce Department Gold Medal, the department’s highest honor.
She has represented BEA on other international statistical initiatives and working groups connected to the International Monetary Fund, the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, and the United Nations.
Ms. Abaroa holds a master’s degree in economics from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in economics and international studies from the American University.
BEA’s data are used by business leaders, policymakers, and Americans to make informed decisions. One of the federal government’s premier statistical agencies, BEA produces closely watched official economic data, including gross domestic product (GDP) for the United States as well as by state, county, and industry. BEA also produces foreign trade and investment statistics and detailed data on outdoor recreation, the marine economy, the digital economy, and other topics.