Austan Goolsbee Steps Down From White House Position, Returns To Teaching

Austan Goolsbee is heading back to his teaching position at the University of Chicago after stepping down from his role as the White House Council of Economic Advisers.

Goolsebee took a leave of absence from his position four years ago so he could work with President Obama and his team of advisors, if he did not return by the fall semester he would have lost his tenured position, a position he help for 14 years before taking his leave of absence.

Goolsbee said of his decision:

“While I am looking forward to returning home to Chicago, I will always be proud of the years I have spent working for this President,” Goolsbee said. “I believe that his judgment, his courage in confronting the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes, and his commitment to the American people have made a tremendous difference for the nation.”

Speaking about his close friend Obama responded:

“Since I first ran for the U.S. Senate, Austan has been a close friend and one of my most trusted advisers. Over the past several years, he has helped steer our country out of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and although there is still much work ahead, his insights and counsel have helped lead us toward an economy that is growing and creating millions of jobs. He is one of America’s great economic thinkers.”

[Source: Politico]