Background

Skylar has been working with Economic Leadership LLC since its inception, specializing in data collection and analysis. As the firm’s “chief data nerd,” he enjoys tracking down new sources and insights. He appreciates the variety of clients that Economic Leadership LLC works with and the unique research questions they offer. While the subject matter varies from project to project, the goal is to provide clients with the best data, effectively communicate these insights, and help them make informed decisions.

Prior to joining Economic Leadership LLC, Skylar worked for RTI International as an Associate Economist in the Environmental, Technology, and Energy Economics group. It was at RTI where Skylar and Ted Abernathy (EL’s founding partner) first worked together.

Work

Skylar has produced several “state of the industry” reports for our clients. This includes 12 editions of the North Carolina State of the Technology Industry Report for the NC Tech Association. Similar research has been conducted for tech associations in Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

He also has extensive experience in conducting economic impact analyses. Skylar has conducted these assessments for several private, non-profit universities to help them understand the role their institutions play in their regional economy. This work has also included forecasting the impact of potential changes associated with state tax policy, transportation infrastructure, manufacturing announcements, and investments made in sports and arts tourism. This work has included two editions of the economic impacts generated through tourism and real estate through the creation of the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in downtown Wilson, North Carolina.

Other innovative research has included developing a methodology to estimate AI’s impact on future employment, a metro economic mobility index for the Raleigh Chamber, a benchmarking report for state workplace safety, and supply chain opportunity analyses for renewable energy development.

About

Skylar grew up in North Carolina and attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW). He graduated summa cum laude with bachelor’s degrees in both economics and geography from UNCW and has continued working in these fields for the last 15 years. He currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah where he can often be found hiking with his dog, swimming in alpine lakes, learning to archery hunt, rock climbing, or skiing with friends during a big storm.