Robert N. Downey, senior director at Goldman, Sachs & Co., was recently recognized for distinguished service and lifetime achievement when The Bond Market Associations municipal division presented him with its 2005 Honor Roll Award.
Downey, who received the award last week, said he hoped being honored towards the end of his professional career would be an inspiration for younger people in the municipal bond business to strive for excellence and creativity.
Really its a devotion to the clients, which are the state and local governments, which is what Ive done or tried to do, and I think most of the people in the business try to do that, he said. Its nice to make a good living from it as well. But its trying to achieve some professionalism and some excellence on behalf of your clients that I think theyll see as something that can be rewarded and honored by your peers.
Downey joined Goldman in 1969, where he ran the municipal bond business for many years, served as vice chairman of the fixed-income division and was responsible for the firms Washington, D.C., office. In addition to serving on the board of TBMA, he was chairman of the Securities Industry Association and is a former board member of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board.
Previous recipients of the award include Mark Page, director of the New York City Office of Management and Budget, James A. Lebenthal, chairman emeritus of Lebenthal & Co., and Roger G. Hayes, former managing director of Banc of America Securities LLC.
