The Future of the Recovery

Christopher Thornberg is Director of the UC Riverside School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development and an Adjunct Professor at the School. He is also the Founding Partner of Beacon Economics LLC.

An expert in economic and revenue forecasting, regional economics, economic policy, and labor and real estate markets, Dr. Thornberg has consulted for private industry, cities, counties, and public agencies in Los Angeles, San Francisco and the Bay Area, San Diego, the Inland Empire, Seattle, Orange County, Sacramento, Nevada, and other geographies across the nation. Dr. Thornberg became nationally known for forecasting the subprime mortgage market crash that began in 2007, and was one of the few economists on record to predict the global economic recession that followed.

In 2015, he was named to California State Treasurer John Chiang’s Council of Economic Advisors, the body that advises the Treasurer on emerging strengths and vulnerabilities within the state’s economy. From 2008 to 2012, he served as economic advisor to the California State Controller’s Office, and as Chair of then State Controller John Chiang’s Council of Economic Advisors.

Well known for his ability to capture and hold audiences, Dr. Thornberg has presented to hundreds of leading business, government, and nonprofit organizations across the globe including Chevron, The New Yorker, Colliers International, the California Chamber of Commerce, City National Bank, the California State Association of Counties, State Farm Insurance, the City of Los Angeles, the California and Nevada Credit Union League, and the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, among many others. He has testified before the U.S. Congress House Committee on Financial Services on municipal debt issues, before the California State Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation regarding rule changes related to Proposition 13, and before the Los Angeles City Council about proposed changes to local minimum wage laws.

Dr. Thornberg is a panel member of the National Association of Business Economists’ quarterly “Outlook,” and a contributor to monthly economics polls published by Reuters. He also serves on the Boards of Directors of both the California Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and is an Executive Member of the Central City Association (Los Angeles) and a member of the California Association for Local Economic Development.

Prior to launching Beacon Economics, Dr. Thornberg was a senior economist with UCLA’s Anderson Forecast. He previously taught in the MBA program at UCLA’s Anderson School, in the Rady School of Business at UC San Diego, and at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand. He has also held a faculty position in the economics department at Clemson University.

A well-known media commentator, Dr. Thornberg has appeared on CNN and NPR and is regularly quoted in major national dailies including the Wall Street Journal and New York Times.

Originally from upstate New York, Dr. Thornberg holds a Ph.D in Business Economics from The Anderson School at UCLA, and a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Taner Osman is Manager of Regional and Sub-Regional Analysis at the UC Riverside School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development. Dr. Osman plays a leading role in many of the Center’s principal research projects, which currently include developing labor market analyses and industry profiles for a variety of regional economies. He is also a postdoctoral researcher at the Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies and an instructor in the Department of Urban Planning at the University of California, Los Angeles.

His research focuses on how local economic development and land use policies affect the performance of industries and regional economies. He also specializes in the impact of high-technology industries on local economies. In addition to his role at the Center, he is also Research Manager at Beacon Economics LLC.

Dr. Osman co-authored the book “The Rise and Fall of Urban Economies,” a comparative study of the Bay Area and Los Angeles economies published by Stanford University Press. He also publishes scholarly work in the areas of economic development, regional economics and land use planning.

Dr. Osman holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles with a specialization in regional and international development.

Adam J. Fowler is Director of Research at the UC Riverside School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development. Mr. Fowler is responsible for overseeing the Center’s research staff and leading projects related to housing, land use, and real estate; sustainable growth and development; environmental economics and domestic energy; public opinion and attitudes; public policy analysis; and regional economics. His recent work portfolio includes co-authoring a high profile analysis of the film and digital media industry in Los Angeles, highlighting both the technological disruption occurring in the industry and the competitive value of diversity. Other recent work includes an analysis and critique of California’s regional housing goals for the public policy group Next 10, and a Labor Market Intelligence Report for San Bernardino County that identifies key trends in the region’s core industries. Mr. Fowler’s research interests include the intersection of behavioral economics and public policy. In addition to his role at the Center, he is also Director of Research at Beacon Economics LLC.

He formerly served as Research Manager and prior to joining the Center, was a member of the Fox Uncertainty Lab and the Consortium of Behavioral Scientists. He served as a teaching assistant in American Government, Public Opinion, and Introductory Game Theory at UCLA. Mr. Fowler also worked as a producer on a documentary film that was acquired by HBO. He has been interviewed by the New York Times and has appeared in statewide publications including the San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Times. He is a member of the American Political Science Association, the American Association for Public Opinion Research, and the International Documentary Association.

Mr. Fowler holds an M.A. degree in Political Science from the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and pursued a Ph.D. in Political Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Council Member Alan D. Wapner has been a member of the Ontario City Council for over 24 years. He has a keen understanding of policy, local government and economic development. During his tenure on the Ontario City Council, the city has experienced record economic success. His leadership in projects like, the Ontario Mills Mall, the Ontario Convention Center, the Ontario Police Station, as well as the Citizens Business Bank Arena, are just some of the projects that have improved the quality of life for the residents of Ontario and the local community. Alan is probably most proud of his leadership in regaining local control of the Ontario International Airport, and as President of the Airport Authority, overseeing an unprecedented successful turn-around of business at the airport, and huge economic impact in the city and region.

Alan represents Ontario on many regional boards, and is known in the region as an expert on transportation planning. He is also a longtime member of the League of California Cities and the National League of Cities Public Safety Policy Committees.

Alan’s leadership positions of the following boards has greatly benefitted Ontario and the Region:

President of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)
Immediate Past President of the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA)
Immediate Past President of the San Bernardino County Council of Government (SBCOG)
Immediate Past President of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)
Member of League of California Cities Board of Directors
Past Chair of the Board of Directors of Omnitrans (Transit Agency)
Member of Metrolink Board of Directors (SCRRA)
Past Chair of League of California Cities Inland Empire Division Legislative Task Force
Member of the Metro Foothill Gold Line Extension Construction Authority
Member of the California-Nevada Superspeed Train Commission
Member of the Board of the California Association of Councils of Governments (Cal Cog)
Secretary/Treasurer of the Executive Committee of the Airport International Board Member Committee (ACI)
Member of the Board of the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC)
Prior to his election to the City Council, Alan was the Vice President of the Ontario-Montclair School Board, where he was a tireless advocate for improving public education. On the School Board, Wapner was a leader in making sure the district’s children received the best education possible.

Alan is a retired police sergeant of the City of Ontario, and is an Ontario business owner.

Alan has been a resident of Ontario for over 40 years. He is married to Judi, and has five children and four grandchildren. Alan graduated from the University of Southern California, where he received his B.A. and received his Law Degree from Whittier College School of Law.