As a governor of the Federal Reserve Board from 1996 to 2002, Laurence H. Meyer helped make the economic policies that steered the United States through some of the most tumultuous times in its recent history. When he was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1996, the U.S. was entering one of the most prosperous periods in its history, the "New Economy". But then came The Asian financial crisis, the Russian default, the collapse of long-term capital management, problems with America's stock market, and the terrorist attacks of 9/11.