He was previously a senior economist at American Farm Bureau Federation and has worked at Clemson University and the University of Kentucky.
Joshua Sherman specializes in econometrics, statistics, antitrust, industrial organization and pricing behavior.
The economist will leave her current appointment at Stanford later this year after four years at the institution.
She takes up the new appointment at the agricultural, environmental and development economics department in July.
The role marks a return to government service for the academic, who previously helped to establish the Office of Research at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
He joins the organization in a research leadership role alongside fellow co-scientific director Amy Finkelstein.
Nicolas Vincent will serve as a deputy governor for a two-year term.
The association describes a 16% real-terms reduction in funding for economics research as a “perverse outcome”.
The professor of international business begins the four-year term on July 1.
The six recipients of the accolade will be recognized at the association’s annual meeting in July.