Welcome to the first installment of the Model City Solutions Journal, which connects the dots between the health of the economy - from neighborhoods to the nation - the built environment, public policy, and the social and cultural behaviors shaping America today.
But first, who am I, and why should you care about what I have to say? I am a globally recognized economic development strategist with over 20 years of on-the-ground experience addressing the economic and social challenges facing American communities. From revitalizing struggling blue-collar manufacturing towns, to addressing stark inequalities in major urban centers, I have gained firsthand knowledge of what’s broken and why and spent my career exploring and implementing solutions. Along the way, I’ve earned recognition as the world’s top young economic development professional of the year by the International Economic Development Council and as a 40 under 40 in the global economic development profession. My expertise spans real estate and business finance, with experience building financial models for over $10 billion in commercial real estate projects and serving as a business analyst in manufacturing.
I’ve seen communities struggle under the weight of redlining legacies, industrial decline, and disinvestment—but I’ve also seen their resilience and capacity for renewal. Through empathy, strategic action, and innovation, I’ve learned that progress is possible, though not without challenges. While the fields before us may be teeming with uncertainties, we hold the seeds of regeneration in our hands.
In this newsletter, we shall explore how economic, social and cultural forces – past and present - shape the realities we experience today. Together, we will uncover the challenges and opportunities that lie before us. With a recurring focus on human flourishing, posts will navigate tradeoffs between resilience and efficiency, assess systemic inefficiencies, and highlight innovative strategies to create thriving, inclusive communities. From urban planning trends to fiscal policies and human behavior, this space aims to illuminate actionable solutions for a stronger, more equitable future.
Join me in this conversation. Together, we can reimagine a country where the pursuit of happiness is not just a lofty ideal, but a shared reality for all.
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