Bauer Brings ROI to Economic Forum

William "Bill" Gilmer, director of the Institute for Regional Forecasting at the University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business, says Houston’s economy will achieve a soft landing at the end of a "long, slow escalator ride down" following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Gilmer was one of three economic experts on the Economic Outlook Panel hosted by the Houston Business Journal recently. He was joined by Joanne Salih, a partner at Oliver Wyman, an energy and natural resources firm in downtown Houston, and Mohammad Ahmadizadeh, a principal economist and data scientist at Workforce Solutions, focusing on the Houston labor market. 

Houston Business Journal Editor-in-Chief Sean McCrory moderated the panel that followed an in-depth economic presentation by Augustine "Gus" Faucher, chief economist of PNC Financial Services Group. 

Faucher's presentation and predictions for Houston's economy in 2025 echoed the most recent forecast from the Institute for Regional Forecasting. The institute predicted a soft landing for the economy in 2025. However, as Gilmer noted, Houston's economic ties to the national economy remain strong. 

"Houston is a jewel of the American economy." Gilmer said. 

Gilmer, a longtime economist for the Bank of Dallas, said these panels and content from the Institute for Regional Forecasting are valuable resources for business professionals and students alike. 

"We have a lot to share," Gilmer said. "Our business is being integrated into the community, and Bauer, of course, is an absolutely essential part of that community." 

Lenay Johnson, executive director of recruitment and admissions for Bauer Graduate and Professional Programs, was on hand at the event as a sponsor, connecting with the business community and prospective students. She said the opportunity to help facilitate events like the economic forecast serves two purposes. 

"It's a great opportunity for us to have a presence with industry leaders in our city," Johnson said. "It also enables our current students and alumni to network with the Houston community and business leaders in the area." 

Johnson said the college's investment in forums like this benefits everyone at Bauer. 

"We have students in every industry, in every business function, and even in functions that are not directly business-related," Johnson said. "This gives us an opportunity to hear about the city and business landscape as a whole and incorporate that information into resources we provide for our students, as well as what we need to teach in our curriculum." 

Johnson says it's not just the students who benefit from Bauer's business knowledge and industry connections. 

"Our students bring a unique perspective," she said. "They learn things in the classroom today and implement it on the job tomorrow. Employers don't have to wait to see a return on their investment. They're seeing it immediately." 

Gilmer agrees with Johnson's view of Bauer's place in the Houston business community and encourages more people to get involved. 

"They get an amazing education at very nominal cost," the economist said with a chuckle.