BYU Romney Institute names administrator of the year

The BYU Romney Institute named former FDIC chair Sheila C. Bair its administrator of the year for her lasting work and assistance during the recent economic recession.

Bair served as chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from 2006-2011 until becoming the senior advisor at the Pew Charitable Trusts in September.

“No matter what kind of push back you get, your job is to serve the public interest. If you’ve done that, you will be recognized,” Bair said.

In 2008 and 2009, Forbes magazine named her the world’s second-most powerful woman for her unceasing leadership during the tumultuous time of financial instability in America. She also topped The Wall Street Journal’s “50 Women to Watch List.”

“Ms. Bair was an easy choice for this award because she is committed to serving the public,” said David Hart, director of the Romney Institute. “When Ms. Bair stepped down as FDIC chair she probably had many opportunities to make a lot of money in the private sector. But where did she go? She went to a charitable foundation. That’s indicative of the type of person she is.”

—Sarah Gambles