Those looking for a glimpse into the economic forecast for 2019 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 will be held Jan. 23 beginning with an informal coffee meet and greet with Bryan and College Station mayors and superintendents. The conference opens at 7:30am with registration and breakfast. The conference ends at 1:30 p.m. following the keynote speakers.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN The 2019 Economic Outlook Conference is open to the public. 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 $1150. 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 The Leaders Breakfast sponsored by Texas Central Coffee sponsored by Hilton College Station
Informal meet and greet with the Bryan and College Station mayors and school superintendents, and Brazos County Judge Duane Peters
7:30am Registration
8am Welcome Title Sponsor Wells Fargo Glen Brewer, President & CEO B/CS Chamber of Commerce
8:20am | Session I Sponsored by Texas A&M University Matt Prochaska, President/CEO, Brazos Valley Economic Development Corp. Dr. Clark Ealy, Superintendent, College Station ISD Dr. Christie Whitbeck, Superintendent, Bryan ISD
9:15am Break Sponsored by CHI St. Joseph Health
9:30am | Session II Sponsored by BTU Joey Dunn, Deputy City Manager, City of Bryan Natalie Ruiz, Director of Economic Development, City of College Station Steve Manchester, Economic Development Consultant, Brazos County Kindra Fry, President/CEO, Experience Bryan College Station
10:30am | Break Sponsored by Aggieland Carpet One & Jones|Carter
11am | Session III Sponsored by the Law Office of Shane Phelps, P.C. Dr. James Gaines, Chief Economist for the Texas Real Estate Center, Texas A&M University Chad Wootton, Associate Vice President – External Affairs, TAMU Office of the Provost
12:15pm | Lunch Sponsored by Guaranty Bank & Trust
12:35pm | Keynote Speakers Dan Rudge, President/CEO, Metropolitan Planning Organization Lacey Loftin, Data Dissemination Specialist & Media Relations, U.S. Census Bureau
ADDITIONAL SPONSORS Extraco Banks, Atmos Energy, Binkly & Barfield Consulting Engineers, BBVA Compass, American Momentum Bank, Kyle Office Products, Copy Corner, Express Employment Professionals Pencil Sponsor: Brenham National Bank Speaker Gifts: Experience Bryan College Station A/V Sponsor: Avinext, RDM Pros Media Sponsors: The Eagle, Bryan Broadcasting, Insite Magazine/Integ
2019 Economic Outlook Conference — Speaker Previews
Lacey Loftin National Account Manager at the U.S. Census Bureau Lacey Loftin is currently a statistician for the United States Census Bureau. Her time there is focused on outreach to organizations and governments in Texas, sharing data, tools, and useful applications. Loftin graduated from Texas A&M University in 2003 with an economics degree and from there she worked to create statistics school programs, supervised data collection operations, and acted as a congressional liaison during the 2010 census. Loftin says she sees herself staying at the bureau until she retires, yet doubts she will be doing the same type of thing day-to-day. Loftin says she believes the census bureau is important because the statistics received is the data the country uses to make their major policy and funding decisions. “This is something that is required by the [U.S.] Constitution, and it’s super important to get it right,” she says.
Clark Ealy College Station ISD Superintendent Clark Ealy, College Station ISD superintendent, began his career as director of program assessment, evaluation, and accountability in CSISD. In 1990, Ealy graduated with a bachelor of science in kinesiology from Texas A&M University — Commerce. He went on to pursue further schooling with a Master of Education and a Ph.D. in Education Administration, both from Texas A&M University as well. “When I moved [to College Station], I didn’t know I wanted to be a superintendent,” says Ealy. “I continued to work here and have expanded my roles since.” He says the Economic Outlook Conference is an important community event he never misses. Knowing what is going on in the entire Brazos Valley community directly affects CSISD and helps those in the community know what’s going on with the school systems.
Dr. Christie Whitbeck Bryan ISD Superintendent Dr. Christie Whitbeck is a consensus builder and the Bryan ISD superintendent with more than 30 years of knowledge on public education. She strongly believes in the ‘Children first. Always.’ mission of Bryan ISD. Before coming to Bryan in 2017, Whitbeck served as deputy superintendent of Fort Bend ISD for four years, the assistant superintendent of academics in Alvin ISD, principal in Katy ISD, and she opened an elementary, middle, and high school in Katy ISD. Whitbeck says she sees the Economic Outlook Conference as an informative event which gives a good perspective on the area and its growth. “I see my role in this [conference] as sharing Bryan’s story, to tell where Bryan is today and where we are headed tomorrow,” says Whitbeck.
Dr. James Gaines Chief Economist for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M Dr. James Gaines is currently the chief economist at the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M; right now, his focus is on housing and land development issues. Making his 10th appearance at the annual Economic Outlook Conference, Gaines is a crowd favorite. He has more than 40 years of experience in a broad array of real estate activities. Though Gaines started his college years off with real estate, his career has included a variety of ventures. He was a professor for about 12 years, then he moved on to work as an assistant professor of real estate and finance at the University of South Carolina, and he also served as the president of the Rice Center, which is what brought him back to the Bryan College Station area. Gaines says he believes since there has been such a rapid growth curve for the last several years in Brazos County, growth will slow in the upcoming year.
