Bill LaFayette, Ph.D., brings 16 years of experience in economic development organizations and a thorough understanding of the workings of regional economies and workforce development to RegionomicsTM clients. Bill offers an array of economic and workforce analysis and planning services to clients in public, private, academic, and not-for-profit sectors. The goal is to help clients understand regional and community economic and demographic trends and work with them to develop strategies to respond to those trends and grow their economies and businesses.
Bill is a recognized authority on the economies of Ohio and the Columbus region. His clear, jargon-free explanations of economic forces have brought him great demand as a source for print and broadcast media and as a speaker to business, government, and community groups. He produced the Columbus Chamber’s annual Columbus Blue Chip Economic Forecast beginning in 1999.
Prior to founding Regionomics, Bill spent 12 years as vice president of economic analysis for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and four years with Rickenbacker Port Authority, which managed Rickenbacker International Airport and its Global Logistics Park and Foreign-Trade Zone. An experienced educator, he served on the finance and real estate faculties of Ashland University and the University of North Texas, and has more recently been an adjunct faculty member of the Capital University School of Management and The Ohio State University’s Departments of Finance and Workforce Development.
Bill engages with his community through service on the board and program committee of the Columbus Metropolitan Club, the board of Community Research Partners, and with various volunteer groups benefiting the state, the region, and the historic Columbus neighborhood in which he lives.