Daniel Hodge Named New Director of Economic and Public Policy Research at UMDI
The UMass Donahue Institute is pleased to announce that Daniel Hodge has been named as new Director of Economic and Public Policy Research. An applied economist and life-long resident of Massachusetts, Dan brings over 18 years of experience assessing local, regional, state, and multi-state economies in terms of economic impacts, competitiveness, target industries, strategic plans, and infrastructure investments to his new position. Most recently, he was the principal/owner of Hodge Economic Consulting, and he has held prior positions at HDR Decision Economics, Cambridge Systematics, and Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI). Dan's key areas of expertise include: economic development analysis, competitiveness assessments, and strategic planning; economic impact and benefit-cost analysis; transit-oriented development (TOD) market analysis; return on investment (ROI) analysis of sustainability and smart growth initiatives; and transportation planning, trade analysis, freight logistics, and industrial development.
Dan’s unique background combines rigorous, data driven quantitative economic analysis with significant experience developing strategic plans and policy initiatives. His work has impacted major projects in Massachusetts, New England and at the national level. He was the project manager for the widely praised Innovation-Based Economic Development Strategy for Holyoke and the Pioneer Valley, as well as a study for the Boston Redevelopment Authority on the Economic and Sustainability Benefits of Boston's ARRA Investments. Most recently, he served as the on-call economist for the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Florida Department of Transportation. Dan earned his Master of Arts in Applied Economics and Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics/Business from Lafayette College.
The UMass Donahue Institute (UMDI) is the public service, outreach and economic development unit of the University of Massachusetts President’s Office. Established in 1971, UMDI draws on the resources and expertise of the University to address the needs of government agencies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. UMDI provides significant economic and public policy analysis, organizational development, training, education, financial management education, applied research, and program evaluation to federal and state agencies, nonprofits, industry associations, and corporations. From its unique position within higher education, UMDI serves as a bridge between theory, innovation, and real-world applications.
The UMDI Economic and Public Policy Research Group (EPPR) is a leading provider of applied research, helping clients make informed decisions about strategic economic and public policy issues. EPPR produces in-depth industry studies that help clients build credibility, gain visibility, educate constituents, and plan economic development initiatives. The UMass Donahue Institute's Economic and Public Policy Research group works with faculty on all five campuses to produce high-level economic and public policy reports that are disseminated as free-standing research reports and through MassBenchmarks, the journal of the Massachusetts economy, published in cooperation with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. MassBenchmarks, which is EPPR’s trademark publication, presents timely information concerning the performance of and prospects for the Massachusetts economy, including economic analyses of key industries that make up the economic base of the state.
December 20, 2012
