Russell Evans,
Associate Professor of Economics, Exec. Director, Steven C. Agee Economic Research & Policy Inst.
Economics & Finance
Education
Ph.D., Economics, Oklahoma State University
B.S., Economics, Oklahoma State University
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Evans brings academic and business perspectives to his teaching and specializes in regional and fiscal economic forecasting, local analysis of fiscal systems, economic impact analysis, and custom policy modeling. His teaching interests include business statistics and econometrics, energy economics, labor economics, natural resource economics, and public finance. His academic research currently focuses on the jurisdictional-specific burden of the residential property tax and empirical estimates of the effect of local externalities on property values.
Professional Activities
Dr. Evans is the Executive Director of the Steven C. Agee Economic Research and Policy Institute (ERPI), Director of the Center for Regional Economic Forecasting and Policy Analysis, and Assistant Professor of Economics. He is a Co-Founder Principal of the Economic Impact Group, LLC. As the Executive Director of ERPI he is involved in developing relationships with the business community and directing funded research projects. Dr. Evans’ research involves issues important to local civic leaders including the economic and fiscal outlook for the OKC economy, the Oklahoma Consumer Sentiment Index, the Oklahoma Energy Index, and the economic impact of the state’s primary industries including oil and gas and Native American operations.
In addition to his research being regularly cited in local and regional media outlets, Dr. Evans also speaks regularly to local audiences in regards to local and national economic conditions and policy. He is a member of the American Economic Association, the National Association for Business Economics, and the Missouri Valley Economic Association.
Martha Burger is the 18th president of Oklahoma City University. She is a former executive in the energy industry and served as Senior Vice President – Human and Corporate Resources at Chesapeake Energy Corporation.
During her tenure at Chesapeake, the company grew from less than 100 employees to over 13,000 and was recognized by FORTUNE Magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For® in the U.S. from 2008 until 2013. She was instrumental in creating and sustaining the company’s vibrant, unique and nationally recognized culture.
Martha is extremely active in civic and professional organizations as well as statewide initiatives. She has a long history with Oklahoma City University, earning her MBA from OCU in 1992 and joining the Meinders School of Business Oklahoma Commerce and Industry Hall of Honor in 2011. She served as a trustee and chair of the university’s Audit and Finance Committee. She also received an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters in 2012.