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About
Stephen Friedman (born December 21, 1937) is an American economist, investment banker, and public servant known for his extensive career in finance and government advisory roles. A graduate of Cornell University and Columbia University Law School, he practiced as an attorney for four years before joining Goldman Sachs & Company in 1966, advancing rapidly to become a partner in 1973, a member of the Management Committee in 1982, and co-chairman from 1990 to 1992. In the public sector, Friedman served as Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council under President George W. Bush from 2002 to 2004. He also chaired the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (2002–2004), was a member and later Chairman of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (nominated in 2004, served 2006–2009), and contributed to the Presidential/Congressional Commission on the Roles and Capabilities of the U.S. Intelligence Community. His philanthropic contributions to Cornell University include the naming of the Friedman Wrestling Center and the Friedman Strength and Conditioning Center in his honor.