The Federal Reserve chairman, fell into this position after the outgoing chairman Paul Volcker, suddenly announced his resignation. It was President Reagan who nominated him for the job. He studied clarinet at the Juilliard School of Music and before that time was the saxophone player for a band. He then went to study to become an economist. He worked in his role during the longest economic expansion in American history. He has had a substantial impact on global markets. One interesting tidbit about Greenspan is that he gets most of his work done while soaking in the bath every morning!