RAND Corporation Names Daniel McCaffrey as PNC Chair in Policy Analysis

The RAND Corporation has appointed Daniel McCaffrey as the PNC Chair in Policy Analysis, RAND President and CEO James A. Thomson announced.

The position, supported by a $500,000 gift from The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., was created to enable an exceptional researcher to devote a portion of his time to support new research on emerging or underappreciated issues, mentor promising researchers and provide leadership within RAND's Pittsburgh office.

McCaffrey leads the RAND Statistics Group, which provides statistical analysis to the wide variety of research projects conducted at RAND. RAND opened its Pittsburgh office in 2000. After beginning his tenure with RAND in Santa Monica, McCaffrey joined the Pittsburgh office in 2002.

McCaffrey, a 2007 recipient of a RAND President's Award and a fellow of the American Statistical Association, is recognized as one of the nation's top experts in statistical analysis, as well as an authority on the models that underpin pay-for-performance systems across public organizations.

“Dan has contributed a wealth of expertise to a variety of RAND projects, including research on education, child welfare, health and drug and alcohol abuse,” said Barry Balmat, director of RAND's Pittsburgh office. “Dan is the ideal choice to continue RAND's commitment to excellence in the statistical analysis that underlies much of our work.”

“Early childhood education is an issue of major focus for our company's community involvement efforts,” said James E. Rohr, chairman and chief executive officer of PNC. “Dan's skills have been applied to many areas, including program evaluation and pay for performance – both important issues in early childhood and K-12 education. PNC's support will enable him to continue making breakthroughs on relevant concerns that affect children of all ages.”