2024 State & National Economy Outlook

Charles Dougherty, Director, Senior Economist at Wells Fargo Bank

Charlie Dougherty is a director and senior economist with Wells Fargo’s Corporate and Investment Bank. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, he covers the U.S. economy with a focus on commercial real estate, housing, construction, and regional sectors of the economy. He regularly writes indicator reports, produces special commentary, and contributes to the company’s Weekly Economic & Financial Commentary. His commentary on the U.S. economy has been featured in various regional and national media publications, including Bloomberg News, Yahoo Finance, and The Washington Post.

Before joining Wells Fargo in 2017, Charlie worked as a regional economist and consultant for IHS Markit and more recently for CertainTeed, one of the largest building product manufacturers in North America.

Charlie holds a B.A. and B.S. in economics and finance from the University of Pittsburgh and a M.A. in economics from Temple University in Philadelphia.

He is a member of the National Association of Business Economics, Philadelphia Council of Business Economics, and Charlotte Economics Club.

Reaction & Commentary from Local Economists

Josh Williams, President & Principal Researcher at BW Research

Josh Williams is the founder and president of BW Research. He manages the firm’s California office. Josh has worked in the applied research industry for over 20 years as an analyst, project manager, and research director, and founded BW Research in 2006. Josh remains committed to research and analyses that drives better policies and investment, improves programs and strategies, and expands economic opportunity for all. The firm was founded and remains grounded in the philosophy that robust evidence and reliable data should drive effective planning and decision making.

Josh’s work at BW Research is focused on understanding and measuring how the world of work is changing and what it means for households, students, workers, and businesses. He has had numerous public speaking engagements communicating insights on recent research findings and their impact on employment, education, and the economy. His recent work has examined how employment and economic development could change as regional and statewide economies transition from the status quo to a low carbon future, how regions have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and their best opportunities for recovery and rebuilding, and how educational and employment pathways are evolving as our communities respond to automation, artificial intelligence, and the emerging technologies of our generation.

At BW Research, Josh, often combines secondary data modeling with his expertise in primary research and survey design. He received his B.A. from George Washington University in International Economics, and his M. A. from California State University, Long Beach in Economics. When he is not actively involved in research, coaching rugby, or spending time with his family, he tries to spend more time in the ocean or the mountains.

Ray Major, Deputy CEO & Chief Economist at SANDAG

Ray Major serves as a Chief Analytics Officer for San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and is currently leading efforts within SANDAG to become more data-driven and using data information to support decision-making and future planning efforts. During his 2-year term as an Industry Fellow, Major’s role will be important in forging important connections between the institute and data science-related industry in the goal of strengthening the data science ecosystem within San Diego.

He led SANDAG’s data analytics strategy, driving empirically based solutions and transforming the agency into an analytics-driven organization. Ray’s responsible for the agency’s open data, big data and data science initiatives. As the Chief Economist for the San Diego region responsibilities include developing and translating economic and transportation data and trends into accurate and relevant insights.

Gary London, Senior Principal at London Moeder Advisors

Gary London is widely regarded as one of the nation’s foremost real estate advisors to many of the nation’s largest developers, investors, lenders and real estate asset managers and owners, Mr. London has been at the forefront in understanding and describing the many demographic, technological and societal changes which are transforming our cities and regions.

Mr. London is a Partner of London Moeder Advisors, Instructor at The Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate, University of San Diego, a former Professor at Arizona State University’s graduate program in real estate development (MRED), and taught at University of California, San Diego Extension for 24 years. He is also featured in the San Diego Union Tribune’s weekly “EconoMeter” sharing his views on the great economic issues of our time.