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Page 1 Abant REA and ita Founder, Brian O'Connor, Ph,D, Brian O'Connor, formerlylBM's director of U.S. economics, is creditedwith creatinga database combining elements of macroeconomics, industry and regional forecasting to gauge the impact of the economy on the company's business. He establishedan u�mal consulting practice to serve the planning needs of IB M U.S. and many of its key clients. Brian's doctorate, at the Univcrsity of Maryland, was in inpudoutput analysis and econometric model'mg. He served � technical consultant to the Federal Trade Commission in the late 196Q's, where he designed a quantitative system to support the agency's enforcement mission. Brian came to IBM in 1969 to develop an inpudoutput model for forecasting the industrial composition of the United States. He took over the running of IBM's quarterly econometric model in 1975 and was respons�'ble for all U.S. macroeconomic forecasting: ass�ss ing current conditions, evaluatingpublic policy and providing IBM senior management with economic forecasts to nm its domestic operations. For twenty-five years, he l�as worked with IBM and customer executives to help them assess the impact of economic conditions on their businesses, to anticipate developments in their markets and to traak their performance against potential. In 1993, Brian founded Ridgewood Economic Associates (REA), a consulting f�m�, dedicated to helping business clients meet the challenge of today's competitive environment. Its primary focus is on the development of economic databases and a system of interlocking forecasting models designed tr� improve operating and strategic planning systems. For the last few years, Brian has held the position of Senior Technical Consultant to Texas Perspectives, Inc,, an economic consultingfiml based in Pasti�.�, Texas which speci.alizes in regional economic and public policy analysis.