James A. Berkovec

BERKOVEC JAMES ARTHUR BERKOVEC Tragically taken from us on Sunday, June 7, 2009 at age 52. Beloved son of James and Doris Berkovec of Roseville, CA; proud and loving father of Sara, Amy and Adam of Bethesda, MD. Survived by his three brothers, David and his wife Malee of Washoe Valley, NV, Michael and his wife Kyoko of Redwood Shores, CA and Kenneth of Washoe Valley, NV. Jim was born on September 15, 1956. He was educated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he graduated with a PhD in Economics in 1983. Jim was an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia and an Economist at the Federal Reserve Board before joining Freddie Mac in 1994. He made several significant contributions to economics during his academic career, including an innovative model of equilibrium in new and used car markets and one of the first dynamic models of retirement behavior of older Americans (with Steven Stern of the University of Virginia). Jim was employed by Freddie Mac for 15 years, most recently serving as Vice President of Credit Models and Analytics and was a key contributor in work regarding foreclosure prevention at the request of the Obama Administration. He will be remembered by his friends and his colleagues at Freddie Mac as one of those rare individuals whose calm demeanor and easy-going style were coupled with a high degree of intelligence, wisdom and just plain common sense. His contributions to the company were material, and he was recognized as a genuine leader in his field. Private services were held on Friday, June 12 at Pumphrey''s Funeral Home. Donations in memory of Jim can be made to MIT for James A. Berkovec (1977) Memorial Fund. Checks should be payable to MIT and mailed to Bonny Kellermann, Director of Memorial Gifts; 600 Memorial Drive, W98-500, Cambridge, MA 02139. Please include a note stating that your gift is in memory of James Berkovec.