WASHINGTON-Federal Reserve Board Vice Chairman Roger W. Ferguson, Jr. announced that he would be resigning his seat effective April 28. Ferguson has submitted his resignation to President George W. Bush from the post he has served since Nov. 5, 1997. "My service on the Board has been rewarding and stimulating, and it is now time for me to pursue other professional opportunities," he wrote. He will not be attending the March 27-28 Federal Open Market Committee meeting. "Roger has made invaluable contributions to the Federal Reserve and to the country," newly installed Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said. "He led the Fed's first response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, was a strong advocate for increased transparency of monetary policy, and ably represented the Federal Reserve in important international [venues]. I value his friendship and counsel greatly and wish him all the best in his new endeavors." Ferguson, 54, was first appointed to the Board by President Clinton to fill an unexpired term ending January 31, 2000. President Bush then appointed him to a full term expiring Jan. 31, 2014. Before joining the Fed, Ferguson was a partner at McKinsey & Company, Inc., an international management consulting firm, and before that an attorney at the New York City office of Davis Polk & Wardwell.