Centennial Group Associates

Biography: Massimo Russo, Senior Associate

Address: 4925 Upton Street, NW
Washington, DC 20016
Telephone: 202-363-6245
Fax: 202-363-2859

EDUCATION
1963: M. A. Economics, Yale University
1962: Dimploma di Laurea in Giurisprudenza, University of Rome

EMPLOYMENT
1998-2001
Employer: Johns Hopkins University, The Paul H. Nitze School of Advance International Studies
Position: Adjunct Professor
Description: Teaching one course on advanced economies comparing the economies of the four major European countries to those of the USA and Japan, as well as analyzing issues of European monetary integration and international policy coordination.

1997-1998
Employer: International Monetary Fund
Position: Special Advisor to the Managing Director
Description: During this period, Mr. Russo participated in general Fund policy work, coordinated the Fund activities related to European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), and represented the Fund at international meetings and conferences.

1987-1997
Employer: International Monetary Fund
Position: Director, European Department
Description: As head of the European Department, Mr. Russo directed the Fund's surveillance work on European countries. In particular, he headed missions to the largest countries (France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom). He was also responsible for supervising the negotiations of stand-by arrangements with European member countries, both market and transition economies. In particular, he personally headed the team that negotiated the reform program introduced by Poland in 1989, which set the standards for subsequent programs for other transition countries. Mr. Russo also represented the Fund and made presentations at various conferences and international meetings.

1983-1987
Employer: Commission of the European Communities
Position: Director General, General Directorate for Economic and Financial Affairs
Description: As its chief Economist, Mr. Russo was responsible for coordinating the economic work of the Commission, supervising surveillance over the economic policies of member countries, participating in meetings of the Council of Finance Ministers, both formal and informal, of the Committee of Central Bank Governors, and in realignment negotiations. He participated in the European and G-7 summits, as well as the preparatory meetings of the "sherpas". Mr. Russo was also in charge of negotiating the economics policy conditions for balance of payments community loans to France (1983) and Greece (1985-1986).
Member of the Monetary Committee and of the Economic Policy Committee, European Communities
Member of the Board of the European Investment Bank

1980-1983
Employer: International Monetary Fund
Position: Deputy Director, Administration Department
Description: Particular responsibility for supervising the IMF's budget and salary determination system as well as data processing activities.

1974-1980
Employer: International Monetary Fund
Position: Division Chief and Assistant Director, African Department
Description: In 1974, Mr. Russo returned to the African Department of the IMF where he headed missions to Central and Eastern Africa. In particular, he headed the teams that negotiated several stand-by arrangements for Gabon, Zaire and Zambia. He represented the Fund at the negotiations of Zaire's debt to the Paris Club and toward international commercial banks, which resulted in the establishment of the London Club.

1972-1974
Employer: OECD
Position: Senior Economist, Department of Economics
Description: In charge of the desks for Japan and Switzerland, responsible for supervising the preparation of economic forecasts for these countries, writing the relevant OECD Survey, and preparing internal policy notes.

1967-1968
Employer: International Monetary Fund
Position: IMF Resident Representative in Mali
Description: He was posted Resident when this country reintegrated the CFA franc zone and was granted the first of a series of arrangements by the Fund.

1964-1972
Employer: International Monetary Fund
Position: Economist and Senior Economist, African Department
Description: In charge of several country desks, he participated in missions to Africa (in countries both North and South of the Sahara) and in the negotiations of numerous stand-by arrangements.

FELLOWSHIPS
1962 - 1963: Fellowship from Yale University and Fulbright Fellowship from the US Government.