Join us for the 2026 Economic Outlook Conference on February 3rd at the Central Bank Center to discuss the economic trends shaping our world. More details and registration will be coming soon!
Whether you are a business leader, policymaker, academic, or simply want to better understand Kentucky’s economy, this conference provides an opportunity to hear unique perspectives and participate in insightful discussions.
Kentucky’s Economic Outlook 2025 - Michael Clark
Price Dynamics in the Bourbon and Scotch Markets: 2006-2023 - Kenneth Troske & Michael Clark
Bluegrass Area Housing Market - Richard Gibbens
Director of the Center of Business and Economic Research, Gatton College of Business and Economics, University of Kentucky
Mike Clark is the Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research and an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics. Prior to coming to UK, Dr. Clark was the Chief Economist for the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. His research focuses on labor, health, and economic development policies. He has conducted research for various Kentucky state agencies including the Department of Public Health, the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, and the Department of Income Support. He also forecasts revenues for the city of Lexington, Kentucky and Kentucky’s unemployment insurance program. He earned a B.A. in Management and an M.S. and Ph.D. in economics from the University of Kentucky.
Regional Executive, Cincinnati Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
Julianne Dunn is the regional executive the Cincinnati Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. She is responsible for managing relationships with regional stakeholders, monitoring the region’s economic environment, and contributing to the Bank’s monetary policy mission. She also manages four of the Bank’s Business Advisory Councils. Ms. Dunn joined the Bank as a research analyst in June 2017 and has since held positions of increasing responsibility.
A native of central Michigan and lifelong Big Ten football fan, Ms. Dunn holds a BA in International studies from the Ohio State University and an MA in economics and international relations from Syracuse University.
Division Director, Kentucky Emergency Management
In April of 2024, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear appointed Eric Gibson as the Director of the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management. In this role, Director Gibson is responsible for the preparation for, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of disaster events in Kentucky.
Eric Gibson is the State Emergency Management Director, overseeing Kentucky’s emergency response and management efforts. Gibson began his career as a trooper with the Kentucky State Police, working his way up to hold several command positions. Since then, he’s worked with the Department of Fish and Wildlife as Colonel of the Law Enforcement Division and the Department of Agriculture, where he established their Emergency Management Section. With nearly 30 years of service to the Commonwealth, Director Gibson continues to lead with a focus on service, resilience, and a deep commitment to the safety of all Kentuckians.
Senior Economist, Center for Business and Economic Research, Gatton College of Business and Economics, University of Kentucky
Katie Scott is a senior economist at the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky. In her role, she conducts applied economic research for Kentucky policymakers, focusing on subjects such as the state’s labor market, workforce development programs, and the impact of key sectors such as education, healthcare, and energy.
Before joining CBER, Katie served as a staff economist with the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, where she evaluated the fiscal impact of proposed legislation. Katie also served on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data Users Advisory Committee, providing feedback on BLS data programs. She holds a master’s degree in applied economics from Miami University and undergraduate degrees in economics and geoscience from Denison University.
Resources for the Future
Margaret Walls is an economist and Senior Fellow at Resources for the Future (RFF), an independent, nonprofit research organization in Washington, DC, where she is Director of the Climate Risks and Resilience Program and a co-host of Resources Radio the RFF weekly podcast.
Dr. Walls’s research focuses on the impacts of extreme weather, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires on people and communities and the design of programs and policies to improve adaptation and resilience. She has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and is the author of over 40 book chapters and published reports. She is an editor of the Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, a member of the Technical Advisory Committee for the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan, and a former board member of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists. Dr. Walls has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Kentucky and a PhD in economics from the University of California-Santa Barbara.
