The U School of Business’ Bureau of Economic and Business Research has appointed a senior economist as interim director after the death of former director Thayne Robson.
James Wood, who has worked for the bureau for 29 years, has taken over the directorial duties until a new director is found.
“The School of Business is conducting a nationwide search for a new director. The person will have a fresh set of eyes,” he said.
When the new director is found, Wood will hold the full-time position of associate director.
“I am very honored to be appointed, it’s the first promotion I’ve had in 29 years,” he said.
Wood will continue to complete economic studies, proposals and contracts.
“We will offer the same services very much like the last 35 years under Thayne’s leadership,” he said.
Wood believes he was chosen because of his tenure at the bureau.
“It really is just a matter of longevity,” he said. “I’m very familiar with the data, state, the people in government and in businesses around Utah.”
Wood’s familiarity stems from his involvement in committees around the state. His expertise includes the housing and real estate markets, and he is a member of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors and of the Revenue Assumptions Committee for the State of Utah. Wood is the author of more than 80 research studies for statewide offices, most recently “Economic Change in Salt Lake City’s Central Business District, 1990 to 2001” for The Downtown Alliance of Salt Lake City this year.
The Bureau?which currently employs eight full-time positions and two student positions?has existed for about 70 years, and it serves the community by providing economic data.
“We work on various research projects, and we do some programmatic mission where we provide data. When it’s not a research project, we participate in panels in the community and prepare economic analysis, data and trends in population and employment,” he said.
The bureau is also one of the main providers of economic data to the state Legislature as well as to the U.