History of Christopher Waller in Timeline

Christopher J. Waller is an American economist currently serving as a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, a position he has held since December 2020. He was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate. His term is set to last through January 2030. Waller's role on the board involves contributing to the formulation of monetary policy and overseeing the nation's financial system.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1959: Born in Nebraska

In 1959, Christopher J. Waller was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

1981: Graduated from Bemidji State University

In 1981, Christopher Waller received a B.S. in economics from Bemidji State University.

1984: Graduated with a M.A. from Washington State University

In 1984, Christopher Waller received an M.A. from Washington State University.

1985: Joined Indiana University

In 1985, Christopher Waller began working at Indiana University's Department of Economics as an associate professor, assistant professor and director of graduate studies.

1985: Graduated with a Ph.D. from Washington State University

In 1985, Christopher Waller received a Ph.D. from Washington State University.

1994: Visiting Scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

From 1994 to 1995, Waller was a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and Washington University in St. Louis.

1995: Visiting Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis

From 1994 to 1995, Waller was a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and Washington University in St. Louis.

1998: Taught economics at the University of Kentucky

From 1998 to 2003, Waller taught economics at the University of Kentucky and was also a research fellow at the Center for European Integration Studies at the University of Bonn, in Germany.

2003: Gilbert F. Schaefer Chair of Economics at the University of Notre Dame

From 2003 to 2011, Waller was Gilbert F. Schaefer Chair of Economics at the University of Notre Dame, on leave from 2009.

2009: Joined Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

In 2009, Christopher Waller joined the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis as research director and executive vice president, where he enhanced the FRED program and partnered with Washington University.

2009: On leave from the University of Notre Dame

In 2009, Waller was on leave from his position as Gilbert F. Schaefer Chair of Economics at the University of Notre Dame, a position he held from 2003 to 2011.

2011: Left Gilbert F. Schaefer Chair of Economics at the University of Notre Dame

In 2011, Waller ended his time as Gilbert F. Schaefer Chair of Economics at the University of Notre Dame, where he had been since 2003, on leave from 2009.

July 2019: Nominated to Federal Reserve Board of Governors

In July 2019, President Donald Trump tweeted his intent to nominate Waller and Judy Shelton to serve on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

2019: Advocated against raising rates

In 2019, Christopher Waller argued that the Fed should not raise rates due to low inflation and high private savings.

February 2020: Senate Banking Committee Hearings

In February 2020, Christopher Waller had hearings before the Senate Banking Committee regarding his nomination to the Federal Reserve Board.

July 2020: Senate Banking Committee Voted to Advance Waller's Fed Nomination

In July 2020, the Senate Banking Committee voted 18-7 to advance Christopher Waller's nomination to the Federal Reserve.

December 3, 2020: Confirmed in the Senate

On December 3, 2020, Christopher Waller was confirmed in the Senate by a vote of 48-47.

December 2020: Confirmed to Federal Reserve Board

In December 2020, Christopher Waller was confirmed by the Senate to serve on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

2021: Advocated for tapering asset purchases

As inflation accelerated in 2021, Christopher Waller was an early advocate for tapering asset purchases, particularly purchases of mortgage-backed securities.

April 2022: Advocated aggressively raising the Federal Reserve's policy interest rate

In April 2022, Christopher Waller advocated aggressively raising the Federal Reserve's policy interest rate to contain inflation.

July 2022: Issued paper claiming U.S. economy could enjoy a "soft landing"

In July 2022, Christopher Waller and Andrew Figura issued a paper claiming that the U.S. economy could enjoy a "soft landing."

2024: Supported reducing the Federal Reserve's policy rate

As inflation came down in 2024, Christopher Waller supported reducing the Federal Reserve's policy rate.

2024: Member of Three Committees

As of 2024, Christopher Waller was a member of three committees of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

2024: Expressed skepticism about a central bank digital currency

In 2024, Christopher Waller expressed skepticism about a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the United States, and likened stablecoins to "synthetic" currency.