Request for information regarding the appointment of Patrick Harker as President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

Jordan Haedtler filed this request with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors of the United States of America.
Tracking #

F-2016-0065

Status
Completed

Communications

From: Jordan Haedtler

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

I request an electronic copy (e.g. pdfs on a CD-ROM or via email) of all electronic records (emails, memos, etc...) of the deliberations of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors concerning the appointment of Patrick Harker as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia during the time period of 9.22.2014 through 3.2.2015. This request includes, but is not limited to, the recording of the vote by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and all motions made regarding the approval of Harker's appointment, as well as all materials shared with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia in relation to the vacancy at the position of Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank President. This request also includes, but is not limited to, all materials demonstrating outside opinions sought and the breadth of public support expressed for this appointment, including all opinions received from labor unions, academics, or leaders of civil society groups concerning the regional bank vacancy. This request also includes, but is not limited to, all materials in the possession of any members of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors concerning candidates for this position other than Patrick Harker. This request also includes, but is not limited to, all communication pertaining to filling the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia presidential vacancy between the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, as well as all communication pertaining to filling the Reserve Bank presidential vacancy between Federal Reserve Board of Governors and retiring Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Plosser. This request also includes, but is not limited to, all documents concerning the Philadelphia Federal Reserve from any search firm hired by the regional bank to fill the presidential vacancy, including Korn/Ferry International.

I request a waiver of all fees for this request. In order to help to determine my status to assess fees, you should know that the Center for Popular Democracy is a non-profit educational organization. Disclosure of the requested information to me is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government. Specifically, it is of great public interest to understand how Reserve Bank presidents-- who are among the most important economic policymakers in the country-- are chosen, especially in light of the fact that three consecutive presidential vacancies at Federal Reserve Banks in 2015 were filled by individuals with strong ties to Goldman Sachs.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Jordan Haedtler
Center for Popular Democracy

From: FOI Requests

[Federal Reserve Board]

December 11, 2015

VIA EMAIL TO: requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>

Please verify receipt of this acknowledgment letter via email message.

Mr. Jordan Haedtler

Center for Popular Democracy

c/o MuckRock

Dept MR 22753

PO Box 55819

Boston, MA 02205-5819

Re: Freedom of Information Act Request No. F-2016-00065

Dear Mr. Haedtler,

This will acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 4, 2015, and received by the Board's Freedom of Information Office on December 7, in which you request, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA"), 5 U.S.C. § 552, all electronic records (emails, memos, etc...) of the deliberations of the [Board] concerning the appointment of Patrick Harker as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia during the time period of September 22, 2014 through March 2, 2015, including, but not limited to, the following:

- the recording of the vote by the [Board], and all motions made regarding the approval of Harker's appointment, as well as all materials shared with the [Board] from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia in relation to the vacancy at the position of Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank President;

- all materials demonstrating outside opinions sought and the breadth of public support expressed for this appointment, including all opinions received from labor unions, academics, or leaders of civil society groups concerning the regional bank vacancy;

- all materials in the possession of any members of the [Board] concerning candidates for this position other than Patrick Harker;

- all communication pertaining to filling the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia presidential vacancy between the [Board] and the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, as well as all communication pertaining to filling the Reserve Bank presidential vacancy between [the Board] and retiring Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Plosser; and

- all documents concerning the Philadelphia Federal Reserve from any search firm hired by the regional bank to fill the presidential vacancy, including Korn/Ferry International.

The Board makes every effort to fulfill requests in a timely manner; however, there may be delays in fulfilling complex requests or those that require consultation. Please feel free to contact the Board's FOIA Requester Service Center at (202) 452-3684 to obtain information about the status of your request.

Very truly yours,

/signed/

Jeanne M. McLaughlin
Manager, Freedom of Information Office

From: FOI Requests

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January 6, 2016

VIA EMAIL TO: requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>

Please verify receipt of this extension letter via email message.

Mr. Jordan Haedtler

Center for Popular Democracy

c/o MuckRock

Dept MR 22753

PO Box 55819

Boston, MA 02205-5819

Re: Freedom of Information Act Request No. F-2016-00065

Dear Mr. Haedtler,

On December 7, 2015, the Board of Governors ("Board") received your letter dated December 4, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA"), 5 U.S.C. § 552, for all electronic records (emails, memos, etc...) of the deliberations of the [Board] concerning the appointment of Patrick Harker as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia during the time period of September 22, 2014 through March 2, 2015, including, but not limited to, the following:

- the recording of the vote by the [Board], and all motions made regarding the approval of Harker's appointment, as well as all materials shared with the [Board] from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia in relation to the vacancy at the position of Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank President;

- all materials demonstrating outside opinions sought and the breadth of public support expressed for this appointment, including all opinions received from labor unions, academics, or leaders of civil society groups concerning the regional bank vacancy;

- all materials in the possession of any members of the [Board] concerning candidates for this position other than Patrick Harker;

- all communication pertaining to filling the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia presidential vacancy between the [Board] and the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, as well as all communication pertaining to filling the Reserve Bank presidential vacancy between [the Board] and retiring Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Plosser; and

- all documents concerning the Philadelphia Federal Reserve from any search firm hired by the regional bank to fill the presidential vacancy, including Korn/Ferry International.

Pursuant to section (a)(6)(B)(i) of the FOIA, we are extending the period for our response until January 21, 2016, in order to consult with two or more components of the Board having a substantial interest in the determination of the request.

If a determination can be made before January 21, 2016, we will respond to you promptly. It is our policy to process FOIA requests as quickly as possible while ensuring that we disclose the requested information to the fullest extent of the law.

Very truly yours,

/signed/

Jeanne M. McLaughlin
Manager, Freedom of Information Office

From: Jordan Haedtler

To Whom It May Concern:

I am following up on this FOIA request from December 4, 2015 and seeking acknowledgement of my request.

Sincerely,
Jordan Haedtler
Center for Popular Democracy

From: FOI Requests

[cid:image001.png@01D15EA5.A484B3B0]
February 3, 2016

Mr. Jordan Haedtler
Center for Popular Democracy
c/o MuckRock
Department MR 22754
P.O. Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819

Re: Freedom of Information Act Requests Nos. F-2016-0064 and F-2016-0065

Dear Mr. Haedtler:

This is in response to your electronic messages dated and received by the Board's Freedom of Information Office on January 19, 2016, regarding your December 4, 2015, requests pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552. You seek copies of records of the deliberations of the Board regarding the appointment of Robert Kaplan as President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (F-2016-0064) and Patrick Harker as President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia (F-2016-0065).

Board staff continue to process your request. The search for records is being completed and staff is beginning to review the search results for responsiveness and releasability. We will continue to process your request as quickly as possible. At this point in time, we estimate that your request can be completed in 4 to 5 weeks.

Very truly yours,

/signed/
Jeanne M. McLaughlin
Manager, Freedom of Information Office

From: FOI Requests

[cid:image001.png@01D15EA5.A484B3B0]
February 3, 2016

Mr. Jordan Haedtler
Center for Popular Democracy
c/o MuckRock
Department MR 22754
P.O. Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819

Re: Freedom of Information Act Requests Nos. F-2016-0064 and F-2016-0065

Dear Mr. Haedtler:

This is in response to your electronic messages dated and received by the Board's Freedom of Information Office on January 19, 2016, regarding your December 4, 2015, requests pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552. You seek copies of records of the deliberations of the Board regarding the appointment of Robert Kaplan as President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (F-2016-0064) and Patrick Harker as President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia (F-2016-0065).

Board staff continue to process your request. The search for records is being completed and staff is beginning to review the search results for responsiveness and releasability. We will continue to process your request as quickly as possible. At this point in time, we estimate that your request can be completed in 4 to 5 weeks.

Very truly yours,

/signed/
Jeanne M. McLaughlin
Manager, Freedom of Information Office

From: FOI Requests


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