Avoiding Risk: Economic Growth Strategies – Sacramento, CA

SPEAKER

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  Mike Pogodzinski

  San Jose State University

  Mike Pogodzinski , Ph.D. is a Professor of Economics at San Jose State University and a Research Associate of the Mineta Transportation Institute. His transportation research has included work on the employment impacts of high-speed rail construction, the impact on ridership of park-and-ride facilities, and the economics of bike sharing. He also does research on state rainy-day funds and the impact of municipalities on school performance.

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  Billy Leung

  REMI

  Billy Leung is the Vice President of REMI, where he plays a leading role in U.S. and international consulting and support services. He has worked with government agencies and organizations throughout North America and the world, helping them achieve their planning and policy analysis goals. Mr. Leung has assisted clients in addressing the impacts of both policy changes and unpredictable events such as natural disasters. He has evaluated the economic and policy impacts of terrorist attacks and other threats to public safety and public health. His research efforts include: The Economic Impacts of 9/11 on the New York Region. Macroeconomic Impacts of Shutting down the US Borders in Response to a Security or Health Threat. As part of REMI’s global services, Mr. Leung has worked with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Korea Energy Economics Institute. In addition to his international efforts, Mr. Leung has assisted state and regional agencies, including Southern California Association of Governments. He has supported their long-term transportation and environmental planning initiatives. Mr. Leung joined REMI in 2002 and was promoted to vice president in 2009. Over the years, he has contributed to the development of the REMI model and performed economic impact studies. He has analyzed the economic impact of the biodiesel industry in New York State for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and researched the economic impact of widening New Mexico’s US 54 for the New Mexico Department of Transportation. He holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and received his M.A. in Regional Economics and Social Development at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. His master’s thesis was on the research and development of incorporating transportation and land use with Input/Output economic modeling.

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  Peter Evangelakis, Ph.D.

  REMI

  Peter Evangelakis , Ph.D. is an Economist at REMI. Since joining REMI in September 2017, he has assisted clients in planning and conducting economic analysis using the REMI model, contributed to the firm’s business development efforts, and prepared and presented in-person and online seminars on topics such as Amazon HQ 2.0 and innovation in transportation. Prior to starting at REMI, Dr. Evangelakis taught undergraduate Intermediate Microeconomics as a lecturer at the University of Chicago. He is an experienced economic researcher and analyst; highlights of his work include measuring the effects of climate change on mortality and electricity usage and estimating air quality effects of the NOx Budget Program. Dr. Evangelakis has written papers analyzing the effects of Florida property tax reform and the non-pecuniary benefits of building a professional sports stadium. He also served as an intern at The Washington Economics Group, Inc., and The Human Services Coalition of Miami-Dade County. Dr. Evangelakis holds Ph.D. and Master’s degrees in Economics from University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics from Swarthmore College.

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  Harry Walsh

  REMI

  Harry Walsh is an Economic Associate at REMI, responsible for client support and business development. Since joining REMI in May 2017, Mr. Walsh has assisted with client support and software quality assurance. He has also contributed to REMI’s marketing efforts, including the development of the company’s new website. Prior to REMI, he worked as an intern at the Massachusetts State House of Representatives, where he delivered daily briefings to a representative and researched a bond bill in debate. While at UMass Amherst, Mr. Walsh was an elected leader of the Undergraduate Economics Club, and served as editor-in-chief for the Massachusetts Undergraduate Journal of Economics. Mr. Walsh will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in May 2018.