The Morgantown MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) Economic Outlook Conference will be held March 19 at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown. The event is presented annually by the West Virginia University College of Business and Economics, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, and will feature Andy Bauer, Ph.D., economist, Baltimore Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and will include a global economic outlook by Jose “Zito” Sartarelli, Milan Puskar Dean; the U.S. economic outlook by Bauer; the West Virginia economic outlook, presented by Dr. Paul Speaker, associate professor of finance and economics at B&E; and a panel of industry experts. Continental breakfast begins at 8 a.m.

Panelists will include Betty Carver, Commissioner, West Virginia Division of Tourism; Jeff Herholdt, Director, West Virginia Division of Energy; Joe Letnaunchyn, President and CEO, West Virginia Hospital Association; Larry Mazza, President and CEO, MVB Bank; and Mark Muchow, Deputy Secretary, West Virginia Department of Revenue.

Andy Bauer is a regional economist at the Baltimore Branch of the Richmond Fed. He holds a bachelor’s degree from American University and a doctorate from Emory University. In addition to following the national economic outlook, he monitors the Fifth District economy with a special focus on Maryland and the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. He also regularly speaks on national and regional economic conditions to academic groups, business associations and civic organizations.

Prior to joining the Richmond Fed in 2006, Bauer worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. As a senior economic analyst on the Atlanta Fed’s macroeconomic team, Bauer co-authored articles on macroeconomic forecasting, consumer inflation measures and shocks to the U.S. economy during recessions.

Paul Speaker is a faculty member in the WVU College of Business and Economics Department of Finance. He is also Vice President of Operations Management Consultants LLC and President of Forensic Science Management Consultants, LLC.

Speaker’s research activity is concentrated in economic modeling, including regulated industries, business valuation, process engineering, financial institutions, the role of not-for-profit institutions, the impact of technology, and the business of forensics. His teaching areas include corporate finance and business valuation. He has been active with curriculum design, integration of course work, and developments in distance learning technology.

Speaker regularly serves as a consultant to several industries, including the forensic community, defense sector, energy sector, and banking and financial institutions. He has presented seminars and workshops across the energy sector and to the forensic community. He has frequently been recognized for his teaching excellence.

The cost to attend this annual event is $55 and $20 for college students with a valid student ID. Registration for all attendees is required.

To register online for the Morgantown MSA Economic Outlook Conference, please visit bber.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

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CONTACT: Patrick Gregg, WVU College of Business and Economics
patrick.gregg@mail.wvu.edu or 304.293.5131