# How Alan Greenspan’s Stint as President Ford’s Top Economic Adviser Cemented his Passion for Public Service and Prepared Him to Lead the Fed.

1 Opinion June 23, 2026By Simon Bowmaker and Paul Wachtel

The Conversation ![Simon Bowmaker and Paul Wachtel headshots](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/2026-04/bowmaker_wachtel_1.png?itok=OWLwuMGk)Alan Greenspan, who died on June 22, 2026, at the age of 100, is best remembered for his 18 years at the helm of the Federal Reserve. What many people don’t know is that an earlier and more obscure stint during the administration of President Gerald Ford shaped him as a public servant.

As professors of economics, we haven’t just covered Greenspan’s legacy for our students. We also knew him personally, in different capacities: One of us interviewed him in 2016 for a book on public service, and the other was present as a young professor when Greenspan defended his dissertation at New York University in 1977.

To us, one of the most notable aspects of his career was his commitment to public service, cemented while he served as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers from 1974-77, during the Ford administration.

Read the full [*The Conversation* article](https://theconversation.com/how-alan-greenspans-stint-as-president-fords-top-economic-adviser-cemented-his-passion-for-public-service-and-prepared-him-to-lead-the-fed-285888).
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*Simon Bowmaker is Distinguished Clinical Professor at NYU Stern. Paul Wachtel is Professor Emeritus of Economics at NYU Stern.*

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