Spears School's Center for Applied Economic Research under new leadership

Thursday, August 6, 2009

(August 6, 2009   Stillwater, OK) – The Spears School of Business Center for Applied Economic Research (CAER) at Oklahoma State University is pleased to announce the new leadership team of economists Russell Evans and Kyle Dean.

Evans joined the CAER in May and replaced Mark Snead as CAER director. Evans is an OSU graduate and is returning to the Spears School after spending a year as a faculty member at the University of Tulsa. Having completed his graduate coursework in 2005, he and Dean formed a private economic consulting firm, Economic Impact Group, LLC, in Edmond, Okla., and they have continued working together ever since.

“I have enjoyed thoroughly the experiences acquired as a small business entrepreneur and hope to bring the same client-oriented approach to the center,” Evans said.

Dean also joined the CAER in May as the associate director and research economist. He received his bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of Oklahoma in 1989. After spending 11 years working in telecommunications and networking, Dean came to OSU and earned a doctoral degree in economics. He specializes in economic modeling and regional analysis.

The core objectives of the CAER will be threefold: 1) offer support to state and local agencies consistent with OSU’s mission as a land grant institution, 2) contribute an objective voice to ongoing policy discussions around the state and 3) provide a training ground to young economists interested in applied research. 

“While I look forward to an expanded role in the economic development and policy arena, the core offering of CAER will continue to be economic forecasting,” Evans said.

Evans said he is excited about his return to OSU and the future of the CAER.

“Above all, I hope our clients always find a friendly voice and a willing advisor when dealing with the CAER and our staff,” he said.

For more information about the CAER, contact Evans or Dean at 405-744-7405 or visit the CAER Web site at http://spears.okstate.edu/caer.