Peter Damaris, author of Spiraling Downward: Thinking About and Preparing for Economic Collapse, has spent more than 30 years working in a variety of financial institutions and consulting firms both in the US and overseas. He has specialized in risk management, financial analysis, equity portfolio management, and distressed debt resolution. He holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in International Affairs with concentrations in Economics and East Asia. He and his wife currently reside in North Carolina.