Peter R. Orszag

Peter R. Orszag is a prominent American economist, businessman, and author. He has served in senior economic policy positions in the administrations of Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama, and was the first director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) during the Obama administration.

Originally from Connecticut, Orszag graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University and earned a Ph.D. in economics from the London School of Economics. In 1993, Orszag joined the White House's National Economic Council (NEC), where he worked under President Clinton as one of several senior aides. In 1997 he moved to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), this time under President Bush. Here he served as the Associate Director for Economic Policy, responsible for the formulation and implementation of the president's domestic policy initiatives. During his tenure at OMB, he also briefly assumed the role of Deputy Director of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

In the early 2000s, Orszag left the Bush administration to work as a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. He also became a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University and Princeton University, as well as a visiting associate professor at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. During this period, Orszag wrote several books, including his award-winning work, “The Participant's Guide to the American Economy.”

In January 2009, Orszag was nominated to serve as the first director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Obama. In August, he was confirmed in his new role by the US Senate and, over the next two years, led the OMB's efforts to respond to the Great Recession. During his tenure, the Obama administration implemented record-setting reforms in healthcare, the data collection, and homeland security.

Orszag resigned from his post in July 2010 and returned to the private sector, accepting a position at the cooperation Citigroup. In 2011, he published another book focused on economic policy, entitled “Unstable Times: The Economic Messages of Thomas Piketty and Joseph Stiglitz.” This book was well-received, with many praising Orszag's ability to bridge the divides between disciples such as economics, public policy, and politics.

In 2013, Orszag joined the board of the health insurance company, UnitedHealth Group. Here he works as a strategic advisor, helping the company navigate the often-complicated landscape of health care regulation and reform. He also currently serves on the board of directors for the National Retail Federation and GlobalPost and is a senior advisor for several start-up companies.

Throughout Orszag's long career in public policy and the private sector, he has become known as an authority on economic and public policy affairs. His experience, both in government and private industry, has made him one of the most in-demand commentators in the economic and political arena. His publications and lectures have been widely praised for their clarity, insight, and focus on complex policy and economic issues.

In addition to his work as a business leader, Orszag speaks and writes regularly on economic, political, and health care policy. His work on health care reform and its implications for the American economy have been widely praised. Orszag is also a sought-after media commentator, appearing frequently on the news networks and major publications such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and The Hill.