Welcome Aboard, New NABE Members!

Please join the NABE Board of Directors and staff in welcoming new members who joined over the last two months. Since July 2007, 509 persons have joined NABE. New members are added to the on-line registry at http://www.nabe.com/mem/search.html at the beginning of each month.  IdeaLink, e-mailed to NABE members each month, includes a listing of new members.   Here are selections from brief interviews, conducted by e-mail, with two new members.

Jeff Needles
Senior Financial Analyst
Harley-Davidson
Milwaukee,Wis.

What is your current position?
I am a senior financial analyst at Harley-Davidson's Corporate Finance Department. My primary responsibilities are financial planning, consolidations, and analysis of certain key accounts.  Recently, I began to publish various monthly economic reports for review by senior leadership. I’ve been with Harley four plus years.

What is the main focus of your company or organization?
Harley-Davidson designs and manufactures premium motorcycles.

What are your career highlights and education before your current job?
Prior to Harley, I worked at The Boeing Company.  I received my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Washington University in St. Louis and my bachelors from Saint Louis University. I am a Certified Public Account (CPA).

Why did you join NABE?
I joined NABE to gain additional skills and experience in analyzing economic data.  I also seek to enhance my understanding of present economic conditions and future expectations.

What drew you to economics?
Economics provides the tools necessary to assist in decision making and explaining our business results.  Thus, an understanding of economics is a necessary part of being able to provide valuable contributions and insight to our business.

Philip A. Shively
Chief, Economic Analysis Section                                 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Washington, D.C.

What is your current position?
I am the chief of the Economic Analysis Section, Risk Analysis Branch Division of Insurance and Research Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). I am in charge of a section that analyzes economic and financial issues, informs senior management and board members of risks to the economy and financial markets, and publishes internal and external studies of issues related to the economy, financial markets, and the banking industry.  I have held this position since January 2008.

What is the main focus of your company or organization?
Our mission at the FDIC is to maintain the stability of and public confidence in the nation's financial system by insuring deposits and promoting safe and sound banking practices.

What are your career highlights and education before your current job?
Prior to rejoining the FDIC in January, I was a manager with the advisory, risk and regulatory team at PricewaterhouseCoopers.  Prior to that, I was a senior financial economist in the Division of Insurance and Research at the FDIC.  In addition, I have held positions in consulting, corporate finance, and as a professor of economics and business.  I earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan, an MBA in finance and statistics from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. in mathematics and economics from Lake Forest College.

Why did you join NABE?
I am interested in exchanging ideas, concerns, and viewpoints with other economists and business professionals.

What drew you to economics?
I enjoy identifying and analyzing economic and financial issues, as well as communicating analytical results.