Director

Robert Tannenwald
Robert is a Vice President and Economist at the Boston Fed as well as Director of the Center. Bob has published extensively in the field of public finance, including topics such as devolution, unemployment insurance, the business tax climate, and the impacts of state and local tax policies.

Bob has been with the Bank since 1981. From 1984 to 1986, he served as executive director of the Massachusetts Special Commission on Tax Reform. In 1992 and 1993, he served as research director of the Massachusetts Special Commission on Business Tax Policy. During 2000 he served as research director of the New Hampshire Commission on Education Funding. He is also president of the National Tax Association.

Bob holds a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and a Ph.D. from Harvard University. His favorite place in New England is Hanover, New Hampshire. Email Bob.

Deputy Director

Darcy Rollins Saas
Darcy started with the New England Public Policy Center as a Policy Analyst in 2005. She was promoted to Deputy Director in 2007; in this position, she is responsible for working with the Director of the Center and its staff to develop and to implement its strategy and mission, including development of a research agenda and outreach strategy. Darcy has written on subjects ranging from regional housing policy to the costs and benefits of film tax credits in New England. She previously worked at the Maine Development Foundation, where she was an analyst for the state's annual economic indicators report and managed a community economic development program. Darcy holds a masters in public policy from Tufts University and a BA in political science from Colgate University. Darcy's favorite place in New England is Portland, Maine. Email Darcy.

Economists

Bo Zhao
As a Senior Economist, Bo leads research projects on regional economic and policy issues for the Center. He specializes in urban, regional, and public economics, with research interests in state and local public finance, housing markets, and fair housing and lending. Bo served on the Municipal Aid Subcommittee of the Municipal Finance Task Force between 2006 and 2007. He was selected by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as one of 20 young scholars nationwide to participate in the 2005 Entrepreneurship Research Boot Camp at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His work has been published in the Journal of Urban Economics and presented at various academic meetings, including the National Tax Association's annual conferences. Bo earned a Ph.D. in economics and a master's degree in applied statistics from Syracuse University. His favorite place in New England is Acadia National Park in Maine. Email Bo.

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Policy Analysts

Heather Brome
As a Policy Analyst, Heather prepares analyses of regional economic and policy issues for internal and external communications. She has written on topics ranging from state and local tax policy to the economic impact of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Previously, she consulted to cities on economic development strategies for a Boston-based non-profit, ran a congestion management program for a regional transportation agency in California, and worked as a planner for a private urban and regional planning firm. She holds a masters in public policy from the University of Michigan and a BA in environmental science and public policy from Harvard College. Heather's favorite place in New England is the courtyard of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Email Heather.

Jennifer Weiner
As a Policy Analyst, Jennifer prepares analyses of regional economic and policy issues for internal and external communications. Her research interests include health policy, public finance, and labor economics. Prior to joining the Center, Jennifer performed health economics and outcomes research for a Boston-based consulting firm and conducted policy analyses for the Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy. Originally from New Hampshire, she holds a masters in public affairs from Princeton University and a BA in economics from Bates College. Jennifer's favorite place in New England is the top of West Rattlesnake Mountain in Holderness, New Hampshire. Email Jennifer.

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Research Assistants/Associates

Antoniya Owens
As a Research Associate, Antoniya performs research and data analysis on economic and policy issues. Her work at the Center has focused on topics in immigration, health policy, minimum wage issues, public finance, energy policy, and economic development. Antoniya rejoined the Fed in January 2005 as a Research Assistant for the Center after interning in the Research Department in the summer of 2003. Originally from Bulgaria, she holds a BA in economics and politics from Mount Holyoke College and worked at an economic consulting firm before joining the Center. Antoniya's favorite summer destination in New England is Newport, Rhode Island, and in the winter, she likes to ski in Northern Vermont. Email Antoniya.

Robert Clifford
As a Research Assistant, Robert conducts data analysis and research on economic and policy issues for the Center. His research interests include public finance, health policy, and developmental economics. Originally from New Hampshire, Robert holds a Masters in economics from the University of New Hampshire and a BA in economics from Keene State College. Robert's favorite place in New England is the Lake of the Clouds Hut near the peak of Mount Washington. Email Robert.

Editor

Tom DeCoff
Tom produces the Center's regional economic data publication, New England Economic Indicators. Prior to joining the Federal Reserve in 2000, Tom conducted economic research and analyses as a government contractor for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and Spanish from Colby College. Email Tom.

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Interns

Igor Popov (Summer Intern)
As a summer research intern, Igor assists Center staff with data analysis and research on economic and policy issues. His research interests include behavioral public economics, public finance, and international trade. Igor was born in Moscow, Russia, but grew up in California, where he is now an undergraduate at Stanford University. Email Igor.

Maria Margaritis (Administrative Intern)
Maria is an administrative intern assisting Center staff with administrative duties as well as small research tasks. She graduated from Excel High School in South Boston in June 2006 and is currently a student at Suffolk University, where she is focusing her studies on business management. Maria's favorite places in New England are Six Flags and Water Country in the summer and the Boston Common Frog Pond Skating Rink in the winter. Email Maria.

Throughout the year, NEPPC offers a limited number of internships. Find out more.

Research Library Staff

The Research Library of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston is a partner of the Policy Center. Joyce Hannan, Library Director; Sandra Cram, Assistant Director; and Teresa Huie and Catherine Spozio, Information Specialists are contributing their expertise working with the Center to develop resources and are members of the Center's project teams. General information about the Research Library can be found at: http://www.bos.frb.org/economic/resource/library.htm

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