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 Staff Biography - Ross DeVol

DeVol
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Ross C. DeVol
Director, Regional Economics
M.A., Economics, Ohio University

Email: rdevol@milkeninstitute.org

Ross C. DeVol is Director of Regional Economics and the Center for Health Economics at the Milken Institute. He oversees the Institute's research efforts on the dynamics of comparative regional growth performance. He is also an appointee to the California State Controller's Council of Economic Advisors, a panel formed in 2007 to advise the controller on emerging strengths and vulnerabilities in the state's economy, major issues and trends that may affect the state's fiscal health and how to make the best use of limited government revenues and resources.

Since joining the Institute, DeVol has put his group in the national limelight with groundbreaking research on technology and its impact on regional and national economies. He is an expert on the new intangible economy and how regions can prepare themselves to compete in it. He examines the effects of technology, research and development activities, international trade, human capital and labor-force skills training, entrepreneurship, early-stage financing and quality-of-place issues on the geographic distribution of economic activity. DeVol is ranked among the "Super Stars" of Think Tank Scholars by International Economy magazine.

His most recent work involves the study of biotechnology and other life-sciences clusters, and the impact these industries have on regional economies. He was the lead author of "Mind-to-Market: A Global Analysis of University Biotechnology Transfer and Commercialization," released in September 2006. This study looked at the transfer and commercialization of university-developed intellectual property on a global basis, with particular focus on biotechnology. "The Greater Philadelphia Life Sciences Cluster: An Economic and Comparative Assessment" provided a comprehensive look at the economic impact, breadth and depth of the life sciences sector in the Greater Philadelphia region relative to other leading regions.

DeVol was the lead author of "Biopharmaceutical Contributions to State and U.S. Economies," released in October 2004, documenting the large economic impact of the industry and analyzing which states are best positioned for future growth. In "America's Biotech and Life Science Cluster," he and his colleagues researched leading clusters and San Diego's position among them, and highlighted the key factors determining success. He co-authored "The Economic Contributions of Health Care to New England," which constituted the first detailed examination of the concentration, innovation capacities, growth and economic-multiplier impacts of health care in that region. He authored the Policy Brief "America's Health-Care Economy" in August 2003 — the first comprehensive benchmarking of the nation's leading health-care clusters.

He completed a significant study in July 1999, "America's High-Tech Economy: Growth, Development, and Risks for Metropolitan Areas," an examination of how clusters of high-tech industries across the country affect economic growth in those regions. It has been translated into Chinese and published in China. His "Best Performing Cities: Where America’s Jobs Are Created," published in November 2004, researched which cities are creating jobs and economic opportunity and described the factors determining long-term success. This is a continuation of research previously that was published annually by Forbes. He has authored studies examining how to harness the research and innovation capacity of a region to build high-tech clusters based on new technologies.

Released in March 2004, "State Technology and Science Index: Enduring Lessons for the Intangible Economy," analyzes investments in science and technology ― from higher education to industry research and development ― and their role in deciding the fates of regional economies. He was the principle author of an April 2001 study commissioned by former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan's office examining the impact of a potential entertainment industry strike on the Los Angeles and California economies. He was the principle author of a study released in January 2002 that examined how the terrorist attacks were affecting travel, tourism and other industries across the country. He was the principle author of a study examining the economic impact of a sales-tax reduction on manufacturing equipment in California. He was co-author of "Manufacturing Matters: California's Performance and Prospects," which analyzed the importance of manufacturing to the state's economy.

Prior to joining the Institute, DeVol was senior vice president of Global Insight Inc. (formerly Wharton Econometric Forecasting), where he supervised the firm's Regional Economic Services group. DeVol supervised the respecification of Global Insight's regional econometric models and played an instrumental role on similar work on its U.S. Macro Model, originally developed by Nobel Laureate Lawrence Klein. He was the firm's chief spokesman on international trade. He also served as the head of Global Insight's U.S. Long-Term Macro Service and authored special reports on behalf of the U.S. Macro Group.

DeVol was previously director of economic planning at CSX, where he was responsible for U.S. macroeconomic and industry analysis, and worked with former U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow. He was also an economist at Chase Econometrics and an economic analyst at Union Pacific.

DeVol appears on national television and radio programs, including CNN’s "Moneyline," CNBC's "Kudlow and Cramer" and NPR's "Talk of the Nation." He is frequently quoted in print media, such as The Wall Street Journal, Investor's Business Daily, The Los Angeles Times, Forbes, The Economist, Time, Business Week and others.

DeVol received his M.A. in economics from Ohio University..

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 Publications

2010

Executive Summary:
Jobs for America: Investments and Policies for Economic Growth and Competitiveness

Date: January 26, 2010
Ross DeVol and Perry Wong
With Armen Bedroussian, Anita Charuworn,
Anusuya Chatterjee, Candice Flor Hynek,
Kevin Klowden and Benjamin Yeo


Milken Institute

Jobs for America: Investments and Policies for Economic Growth and Competitiveness
Date: January 26, 2010
Ross DeVol and Perry Wong
With Armen Bedroussian, Anita Charuworn,
Anusuya Chatterjee, Candice Flor Hynek,
Kevin Klowden and Benjamin Yeo


Milken Institute

2009

Charting a Course for Arizona’s Technology-Based Economic Development
Date: December 15, 2009
Kevin Klowden and Anita Charuworn, with Ross C. DeVol
Milken Institute

Executive Summary - Charting a Course for Arizona’s Technology-Based Economic Development
Date: December 15, 2009
Kevin Klowden and Anita Charuworn, with Ross C. DeVol
Milken Institute

Help small business provide health coverage
Date: December 6, 2009
Anusuya Chatterjee and Ross DeVol
San Diego Union Tribune

Best-Performing Cities 2009:
Where America's Jobs Are Created and Sustained

Date: November 11, 2009
Ross DeVol, Armen Bedroussian, Kevin Klowden,
and Candice Flor Hynek
Milken Institute

Executive Summary - Manufacturing 2.0: A More Prosperous California
Date: June 23, 2009
Ross DeVol, Perry Wong, Armen Bedroussian, Candice Flor Hynek and David Rice
Milken Institute

Manufacturing 2.0: A More Prosperous California
Date: June 23, 2009
Ross DeVol, Perry Wong, Armen Bedroussian, Candice Flor Hynek and David Rice
Milken Institute

How to Rebuild US Home Prices and Fix the Economy
Date: June 5, 2009
Ross DeVol and Michael Klowden
FT.com

Executive Summary - North America’s High-Tech Economy: The Geography of Knowledge-Based Industries
Date: June 2, 2009
Ross C. DeVol, Kevin Klowden, Armen Bedroussian, and Benjamin Yeo

North America’s High-Tech Economy: The Geography of Knowledge-Based Industries
Date: June 2, 2009
Ross C. DeVol, Kevin Klowden, Armen Bedroussian, and Benjamin Yeo

Executive Summary - The Greater Philadelphia Life Sciences Cluster 2009: An Economic and Comparative Assessment
Date: May 19, 2009
Ross C. DeVol, Benjamin Yeo, and Anusuya Chatterjee with Armen Bedroussian and Perry Wong
Milken Institute

The Greater Philadelphia Life Sciences Cluster 2009: An Economic and Comparative Assessment
Date: May 19, 2009
Ross C. DeVol, Benjamin Yeo, and Anusuya Chatterjee with Armen Bedroussian and Perry Wong
Milken Institute

The Value of U.S. Life Sciences: A White Paper Exploring Competitiveness, Delivery and Challenges
Date: April 30, 2009
Kevin Klowden and Benjamin Yeo with Ross DeVol
Milken Institute

Energizing California: Mapping Chevron’s Economic Impacts on the Golden State
Date: March 16, 2009
Ross DeVol, Perry Wong, Armen Bedroussian, and Benjamin Yeo
Milken Institute



2008

Best-Performing Cities 2008: Where America's Jobs Are Created and Sustained
Date: September 10, 2008
Ross DeVol, Armen Bedroussian, Kevin Klowden and Soojung Kim
Milken Institute

California's Position in Technology and Science: A Comparative Benchmarking Assessment
Date: June 19, 2008
by Ross DeVol and Anita Charuworn with Soojung Kim
Milken Institute

State Technology and Science Index: Enduring Lessons for the Intangible Economy
Date: June 19, 2008
by Ross DeVol and Anita Charuworn with Soojung Kim
Milken Institute

The Writers’ Strike of 2007–2008: The Economic Impact of Digital Distribution
Date: June 5, 2008
Kevin Klowden and Anusuya Chatterjee with Ross DeVol
Milken Institute

The Economic Outlook for the U.S. and California: Slow Growth or Recession?
Date: May 2008
Ross DeVol with Armen Bedroussian
Milken Institute



2007

An Unhealthy America: The Economic Burden of Chronic Disease -- Charting a New Course to Save Lives and Increase Productivity and Economic Growth
Date: October 2007
Ross DeVol and Armen Bedroussian, with Anita Charuworn, Anusuya Chatterjee, In Kyu Kim, Soojung Kim and Kevin Klowden

An Unhealthy America: The Economic Burden of Chronic Disease [Executive Summary and Research Findings]
Date: October 2007
Ross DeVol and Armen Bedroussian, with Anita Charuworn, Anusuya Chatterjee, In Kyu Kim, Soojung Kim and Kevin Klowden

MIR 4th Qtr 2007
Date: October 2007

Best-Performing Cities 2007: Where America's Jobs Are Created and Sustained
Date: September 2007
Ross DeVol, Armen Bedroussian, and Soojung Kim
Milken Institute

Florida Life Sciences Road Map
Date: June 2007
Perry Wong, Ross DeVol, Kevin Klowden and Benjamin Yeo
Milken Institute

Nemours Children’s Hospital: Advancing Orlando’s Life Science and Economic Development
Date: February 16, 2007
by Perry Wong, Benjamin Yeo, Armen Bedroussian and Ross DeVol

2006

Pittsburgh Technology Strategy - SWOT Analysis
Date: November 2006
Perry Wong, Benjamin Yeo and Ross DeVol

Mind to Market: A Global Analysis of University Biotechnology Transfer and Commercialization
Date: September 20, 2006
Ross DeVol and Armen Bedroussian, with Anna Babayan, Meggy Frye, Daniela Murphy, Tomas J. Philipson, Lorna Wallace, Perry Wong and Benjamin Yeo

Mind to Market: A Global Analysis of University Biotechnology Transfer and Commercialization [Executive Summary]
Date: September 20, 2006
Ross DeVol and Armen Bedroussian, with Anna Babayan, Meggy Frye, Daniela Murphy, Tomas J. Philipson, Lorna Wallace, Perry Wong and Benjamin Yeo

Best-Performing Cities 2005: Where America's Jobs Are Created and Sustained
Date: February 2006
Ross DeVol, Lorna Wallace and Armen Bedroussian
Milken Institute

2005

Los Angeles Economy Project
Date: December 2005
Kevin Klowden and Perry Wong, with Daniel Flaming, Brent Haydamack, Anna Babayan, Michael Bernick, Patrick Burns, Ross DeVol, Daniela Murphy, Don McCarthy, Lorna Wallace, Glenn Yago and Betsy Zeidman

Los Angeles Economy Project: Executive Summary and Recommendations
Date: December 2005
Kevin Klowden and Perry Wong, with Daniel Flaming, Brent Haydamack, Anna Babayan, Michael Bernick, Patrick Burns, Ross DeVol, Daniela Murphy, Don McCarthy, Lorna Wallace, Glenn Yago and Betsy Zeidman

The Greater Philadelphia Life Sciences Cluster: An Economic and Comparative Assessment
Date: June 2005
Ross DeVol, Rob Koepp, Lorna Wallace, Armen Bedroussian and Daniela Murphy

MIR 1st Qtr 2005
Date: March 2005

2004

Best-Performing Cities: Where America's Jobs Are Created and Sustained
Date: November 2004
Ross DeVol and Lorna Wallace, with Armen Bedroussian and Junghoon Ki
Milken Institute

Biopharmaceutical Industry Contributions to State and U.S. Economies
Date: October 2004
Ross DeVol, Perry Wong, Armen Bedroussian, Lorna Wallace, Junghoon Ki, Daniela Murphy and Rob Koepp

Arkansas’ Position in the Knowledge-based Economy: Prospects and Policy Options
Date: September 2004
Ross DeVol, Kevin Klowden, Jeffery Collins and Lorna Wallace, with Perry Wong and Armen Bedroussian

America's Biotech and Life Science Clusters: San Diego's Position and Economic Contributions
Date: June 2004
Ross DeVol, Perry Wong, Junghoon Ki, Armen Bedroussian and Rob Koepp

California's Position in Technology and Science: A Comparative Benchmarking Assessment
Date: March 2004
Ross DeVol and Rob Koepp, with Junghoon Ki and Frank Fogelbach

State Technology and Science Index: Enduring Lessons for the Intangible Economy
Date: March 2004
Ross DeVol and Rob Koepp, with Junghoon Ki

The Illinois Pharmaceutical Industry: Survey of Economic Impact and Importance
Date: February 2004
Ross DeVol, Rob Koepp, Kevin Klowden and Armen Bedroussian

On the Critical List: Health Care Job Vitality in New England
Date: January 2004
Ross DeVol
Milken Institute

2003

MIR 3rd Qtr 2003
Date: September 2003

Nebraska's Position in Technology & Science
Date: September 2003
Ross C. DeVol and Rob Koepp with Junghoon Ki

America's Health Care Economy
Date: August 2003
Ross DeVol and Rob Koepp

Best-Performing Cities: Where America's Jobs Are Created
Date: June 2003
Ross DeVol and Frank Fogelbach
Milken Institute

The Economic Contributions of Health Care to New England
Date: February 2003
Ross DeVol, Rob Koepp, Perry Wong, Armen Bedroussian



2002

MIR 4th Qtr 2002
Date: December 2002

State Technology and Science Index: Comparing and Contrasting California
Date: September 2002
Ross DeVol, with Rob Koepp and Frank Fogelbach

Manufacturing Matters: California’s Performance and Prospects
Date: August 2002
Ross DeVol, Armen Bedroussian, Rob Koepp, Perry Wong