Those looking for a glimpse into the economic forecast for 2020 and beyond may join the Bryan College Station Chamber of Commerce when it gathers area experts at the annual Economic Outlook Conference in January. Through speakers and panels, the local business landscape will be discussed as the Brazos Valley responds to growth.
The conference is on Jan. 29 beginning with an informal coffee meet-and-greet with elected officials. The conference opens at 7:30am with registration and breakfast. The conference ends at 2pm following the keynote speakers.
The 2020 Economic Outlook Conference is open to the public, and registration is now open. Advance registration is $85 per person for B/CS Chamber of Commerce members; tickets are $100 per person for non-members. Reserved tables of eight are available for $750, 10 for $950, and 12 for $1,150. Seating is limited. To reserve space, visit www.bcschamber.org, call Jordan at (979) 260-5200, or email Jordan@bcschamber.org.
Conference Schedule
7am | Coffee with Elected Officials 7:30am | Registration 8am | Welcoming Remarks Glen Brewer, President & CEO B/CS Chamber of Commerce Karl Mooney, College Station Mayor 8:20am | Session I Katherine Kleeman, Licensee/Franchise Owner-Brenham, Bryan & Conroe, Spherion Staffing Services Kelly Templin, Director, Texas A&M University RELLIS David Reynolds, Director, Bryan CTE Program 9:15am | Break 9:30am | Session II Joey Dunn, Deputy City Manager, city of Bryan Natalie Ruiz, Director of Economic Development, city of College Station Brazos County 10:45am | Break 11am | Session III Matt Prochaska, President/CEO, Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation Kindra Fry, President/CEO, Experience BCS Dan Rudge, Executive Director, Bryan College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization Chad Wootton, Associate Vice President – External Affairs, Texas A&M University Office of the Provost 12pm | Lunch 12:30pm | Keynote Speaker Dr. James Gaines, Chief Economist for the Texas Real Estate Center, Texas A&M University *Schedule as of Dec. 17; subject to change
2020 Economic Outlook Conference — Speaker Previews
Dr. James Gaines Chief Economist, Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University The 2020 Economic Outlook Conference is Jim Gaines’ 11th appearance at the conference.
Dr. Gaines has been involved with professional economic practices such as real estate research, urban economics, and project risk assessment for more than 35 years.
For 16 years, Dr. Gaines worked as a real estate consultant at KPMG and Arthur Anderson. Dr. Gaines has taught as an assistant professor of real estate and finance at both Kent State University and the University of South Carolina and performed the role of president of the Rice Center, associated with Rice University.
As the chief economist at Texas A&M University’s Real Estate Center, Dr. Gaines continuously offers the Economic Outlook Conference’s attendees not only an inside glimpse at the trends in the real estate market, but also his own credible predictions for what the market will look like in the upcoming year.
Katherine Kleeman
Professional Recruiter, Spherion Staffing Services Katherine Kleemann and her husband have been co-owners of the Spherion Staffing Services franchise office in Bryan since 2008. Spherion has offices in Bryan, Brenham, and Conroe, and their main job is to create long-lasting matches between individuals seeking careers and employers looking for proficient teams.
By remaining an active member of the Bryan College Station Chamber of Commerce and serving as the immediate past-president of the Brazos Valley Society of Human Resource Managers, Kleemann is still heavily involved in the Brazos Valley and its economic dialogues.
Kleemann primarily manages the staffing portion at Spherion and will surely provide entrepreneurs, businesses, and prospective employees at the Economic Outlook Conference with insight on how excellent staffing can easily propel one’s business.
Kelly Templin Director of the RELLIS Campus, Texas A&M University System Kelly Templin graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental design in 1987 and then a master’s degree in urban and regional planning in 1991. Before being named director of the RELLIS research and academic site, located in College Station, Templin acted as city manager for the city of Seabrook for two years and then city manager for the city of College Station for four years. From 1991 to 1994, Templin also worked as director of Planning & Economic Development for the city of Seabrook.
As director of one of the most innovative research sites to emerge from Brazos Valley, Templin has witnessed firsthand how the surge of environmental agencies coming to RELLIS can potentially positively impact the economy of Brazos Valley.
David Reynolds
Director of Career and Technical Development, Bryan ISD David Reynolds has been the director of Career and Technical Development at the Bryan Independent School District for the past seven years.
Bryan ISD’s Career and Technical Education division works to fulfill the workforce’s growing demand for employees with prior technical experience by providing students with hands-on learning opportunities.
In late October of 2019, the Bryan school district had its official open house for its new Career and Technical Education Complex. This new facility allows CTE students to have access to new technologies and equipment that will make their learning experience much more valuable.
