WASHINGTON - The Atlanta Federal Reserve's board chair, Gregory Haile, said the search to fill the vacancy left by former Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic will extend beyond the Southeast and include candidates from across the country so long as they are prepared to engage with people and businesses throughout the Sixth Federal Reserve District.
Haile, speaking as the recruitment accelerates, said the board wants a broad slate of contenders and is not imposing a strict geographic restriction. "We want the pool to be wide. We want to make sure that we embrace candidates who fit the mold to support the 6th District," he said in an interview, noting that applications are still being accepted and that interviews are expected to begin within around 30 days.
The Sixth District spans diverse economic and social terrains - from affluent sections of the Florida coast to corporate headquarters in Atlanta and agricultural communities in rural Alabama. Haile emphasized that while the board values familiarity with the district, having existing ties is "not an obligation." Instead, the board is prioritizing a demonstrated willingness to travel and meet residents face to face across the region.
"What we did want to make sure we created room for was 'what's it look like to have someone who we can be assured will engage in understanding the district?' ... that means not hesitating to go whether it's Miami, whether it's Red Bay, Alabama, whether it's somewhere in Tennessee, to have a willingness to engage face to face," Haile said.
Bostic, who was a college professor in California and a native of New Jersey when he was selected for the Atlanta job, frequently traveled across the district during his tenure and often drew attention to rural and community development concerns. He also held the distinction of being both the first Black and the first openly gay president among the Fed's 12 regional reserve banks.
In early December, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he would push for future reserve bank leaders to have lived in their districts for three years and warned that those who did not meet that standard could be vetoed. When the Atlanta Fed announced the search on December 15, the posting said the goal was to "identify a large pool of candidates who have meaningful ties to the Sixth Federal Reserve District."
Haile said the bank's board has not been constrained by outside limits on its recruitment. While regional bank presidents are selected by their respective boards, such hires must be ratified by the Washington-based Federal Reserve Board of Governors. "We haven't had any engagement along those lines," Haile said, referring to outside directives about residency or candidate qualifications. "That has actually not needed to be a consideration for us ... the search has been going incredibly well. I haven't felt the sense of any negative intrusion at all."
The timing of the hire carries heightened sensitivity. Bostic was a visible voice on the importance of economic equity, even as he acknowledged that monetary policy has limits in directly addressing such issues. The successor will be chosen amid a broader political backdrop that includes pushback against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts during the Trump administration and concerns about the central bank's independence as a new chair, Kevin Warsh, is expected to be confirmed this spring.
President Donald Trump, according to the context of the ongoing appointments process, is seeking to increase his influence over the central bank through additional selections. Haile said the board recognizes the prominence of the role. "I don't think there's a scenario where we don't view this as one of the most important jobs in America," he said. "So there is a focus on getting the best candidate to service this district ... and that is unwavering."
Search timeline and process
The Atlanta Fed's process remains open and active. Applications are still being taken and interviews are slated to start within about a month. The regional board is charged with selecting a nominee who will then require ratification by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington.
District considerations
Haile portrayed the board's priority as finding candidates who will dedicate themselves to understanding the district's varied communities through in-person engagement rather than relying solely on prior residence. The board is looking to balance a broad candidate pool with demonstrated commitments to connect with locations as different as Miami, Red Bay, Alabama, and Tennessee towns.
Political and institutional context
The selection occurs at a politically sensitive juncture for the central bank. Debates about lived-in residency expectations for reserve bank leaders and broader questions about the Fed's independence and priorities underscore the importance the Atlanta board attaches to choosing a candidate who can both serve the district and navigate evolving institutional challenges.