SMG’s Salinger gets top post at FTC bureau
To an academic with research interests in industrial economics, antitrust policy, and business regulation, the chairmanship of the finance/economics department at the School of Management is a very good job. But according to SMG Professor Michael Salinger, an appointment at the Federal Trade Commission is “the best job in the world.”
After 15 years at Boston University, Salinger will take a two-year leave of absence, beginning this fall, to become the director of the FTC’s Bureau of Economics. He replaces Luke Froeb, who is joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University. The appointment was announced this summer.
“For an industrial economist interested in the practical application of academic ideas, being director of the Bureau of Economics is arguably the best job in the world,” Salinger says. “I look forward to returning to BU in two years and bringing what I learn into the classroom.”
The Bureau of Economics works within the FTC to evaluate the economic impact of the commission’s antitrust and consumer protection actions, analyze market issues, and provide reports and recommendations on various industries.
Salinger, who holds a doctorate in economics from MIT, will oversee about 70 economists and serve as an intermediary between the research bureau and FTC commissioners.
At BU, Salinger has been chairman of the finance/economics department and won the 2004 Broderick Award for service to the undergraduate community. Prior to his appointment at BU, he taught at Columbia University and MIT and worked as a consultant for the FTC, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Australian Competition and Commerce Commission.
“Michael Salinger is an outstanding economist and a splendid colleague,” says Louis Lataif (SMG’61, Hon.’90), dean of SMG. “He will no doubt be an exceptionally valuable addition to the Federal Trade Commission.”
Deborah Platt Majoras, chairman of the FTC, added, “I am confident that Michael’s insight and experience will continue [the FTC’s] tradition of excellence, and provide invaluable assistance to the commission in fulfilling its joint competition and consumer protection.”