Release: #4644-02
For Release: May 20, 2002

CFTC Announces the Appointment of Dr. James A. Overdahl as Chief Economist

Washington, D.C. – The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced today the appointment of Dr. James A. Overdahl as Chief Economist. Under the agency restructuring announced on February 1, 2002, to facilitate the implementation of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000, the Office of the Chief Economist is an independent office with responsibility for providing expert economic advice to the Commission. Its functions include policy analysis, economic research, expert testimony, education and training.

Commenting on the appointment, Chairman Newsome said, “I am proud to welcome Jim Overdahl back to the CFTC and I know that he will be a valuable addition to the Commission’s new management team and its new program, the Office of the Chief Economist.”

Dr. Overdahl comes to the CFTC from the Risk Analysis Division of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in Washington, D.C., where, as a specialist in financial derivatives, he served as an in-house consultant on issues involving derivatives trading and asset management. Previously, Dr. Overdahl served as a staff economist at the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission, and taught courses in economics and finance at the University of Texas, Georgetown University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Overdahl received his B.A. degree from St. Olaf College in 1980, and his Ph.D. in Economics from Iowa State University in 1984. He has written extensively on market structure and investments, and is co-author, with Robert Kolb, of a definitive textbook on financial derivatives.