Seventh Annual Economic Development Summit

Dr. Ray Perryman is President and CEO [Chief Executive Officer] of The Perryman Group, an economic research and analysis firm based in Waco, Texas.

He holds a BS [Bachelor of Science] in Mathematics from Baylor University and a PhD [Doctor of Philosophy] in Economics from Rice University. He always felt that the BS would have been somehow more appropriate for Economics. He took his first economics course on a coin flip between economics and psychology. If it had gone the other way, there might be some really messed up people in the world. In addition to his earned degrees, Dr. Perryman has received an honorary doctorate from the International Institute for Advanced Studies. After that one, he told his kids they had to start calling him “Doctor Doctor.” They preferred dork, dweeb, nerd, geek, and loser (on a good day).

Dr. Perryman has held numerous academic positions in his career, including ten years as Herman Brown Professor of Economics and five years as University Professor and Economist-in-Residence at Baylor University, as well as five years as Business Economist-in-Residence at Southern Methodist University. He has authored several books and more than 400 academic papers, and served as President of both the Southwestern Economic Association and the Southwestern Society of Economists. His current academic roles include Senior Research Fellow of the IC² [Innovation Creativity and Capital] Institute of the University of Texas and Institute Distinguished Professor of Economic Theory and Method at the International Institute for Advanced Studies. He also lives in Odessa while working in Waco, is the father of five native Texans (although some have temporarily resided elsewhere for decades) and the grandfather of five, gets lost on his own block (he lives on a circle), and once ran one of his cars into another one.

In the professional arena, Dr. Perryman has authored more than 3,000 trade articles, publishes a subscription forecasting service and a monthly newsletter, writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column, hosts a daily radio commentary, and appears regularly on National Public Radio (NPR [National Public Radio] ). His firm engages in a broad range of complex projects and has served the needs of more than 3,000 clients, including 12 cabinet departments, over half of the Fortune 100, two-thirds of the Global 25, and the 12 largest technology firms, six largest energy companies, and the five largest financial institutions in the world. In other words, he is an obsessive-compulsive workaholic.

Dr. Perryman has been called a “genius” by The Wall Street Journal, a “world class scholar” by Business Week, the “unofficial state economist” by The New York Times, “the most quoted man in Texas” by Texas Monthly, “the conscience of Texas” by NPR [National Public Radio] , and, his personal favorite, “the state’s premiere barbecue connoisseur” by The Dallas Morning News. What his wife calls him can’t be repeated in mixed company.

Dr. Perryman has received hundreds of prestigious awards for his academic and professional efforts. He has been named the Outstanding Young Economist and Social Scientist in the US, the Outstanding Young Person in the World in Business and Economic Innovation, one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans and Ten Outstanding Young Persons in the World. It is highly unlikely that he will ever receive another award with the word “Young” in it, or even “Middle-Aged” for that matter.

Dr. Perryman has been honored by The Democracy Foundation for his role in promoting capitalism in China, The Asia and World Institute for promoting international trade and academic exchange, and the Systems Research Foundation for his contributions to the field of modeling (that would be “economic” modeling, not “fashion” modeling; he seems to think there might be some confusion). He has also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Institute for Advanced Studies. He was skeptical about that one, thinking it was something you received just before you croaked. He has never played in the NBA [National Basketball Association] , but he has played in Wilson Pickett’s band, sang the National Anthem at a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, and had his name and picture in lights on the marquee in Times Square.

Dr. Perryman has received citations from governments around the world, presidents, governors, Congress, and national and state administrative and legislative bodies, and has been nominated for the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics). He has received far more citations from the Texas Department of Public Safety. He has also served on numerous governmental task forces dealing with major issues including, trade agreements (NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement] , USMCA [United States Mexico Canada Agreement] , and others), the savings and loan crisis, Y2K [Year 2000] , 9/11, the mortgage crisis and Great Recession, and COVID-19.

Some of Dr. Perryman’s most gratifying work has been related to economic development, where he has played a key role in the creation of trillons of dollars in investment and millions of jobs and significant pro bono efforts seeking solutions to major social problems such as poverty, hunger, indigent health care, discrimination, and child maltreatment. He is a past recipient of the Outstanding Texas Leader Award and has been honored by the Texas Legislature for his “tireless efforts in helping to build a better Texas.” Dr. Perryman was selected as the 2012 Texan of the Year by the Texas Legislative Conference; received the 2013 Baylor University Distinguished Service Medal; was inducted into the Texas Leadership Hall of Fame in 2014; received the 2016 Cesar E. Chavez Legacy Award for his humanitarian efforts; was named the Most Dynamic Economic Researcher in the US in 2018 by Global Business Insights; received the 2019 Chairman’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in Economic Development from the International Economic Development Council; was selected for the 2019 “Go Global” Award from the International Trade Council as the outstanding global economic analyst for his work on trade, energy, the environment, and other international issues; named the Best Economic Research Service in the US in 2021 by Corp Today Magazine; received the 2023 Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals; and received the 2025 Sissy Farenthold Social Justice Award. He is also an honorary Kilgore Rangerette, although his high kick leaves a lot to be desired, so he is not yet on the traveling squad (but there is always next year!!).

Dr. Prabhas V. Moghe is the sixth president of The University of Texas at Dallas, which has been recognized as one of the most dynamic, fastest growing research universities in the country.

Moghe previously served as the executive vice president for academic affairs at Rutgers University, New Jersey’s flagship public university, where he provided strategic leadership over all academic and research operations across four chancellor-led campuses and 29 academic units. From 2020 to 2025, Moghe helped lead Rutgers through a 40% increase in research funding — from $689 million to nearly $1 billion, just as Rutgers was becoming recognized among the top-15 national public universities.

Moghe earned a degree in chemical engineering at the University of Bombay, followed by a PhD [Doctor of Philosophy] in chemical engineering (bioengineering) at the University of Minnesota and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital before joining the Rutgers faculty in 1995. Moghe held the title of distinguished professor in the School of Engineering at Rutgers over the past decade.

Moghe’s research has led to innovations in cancer detection and potential nanotechnology therapies for brain degenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. His lab at Rutgers secured nearly $30 million in funding and generated 29 PhD [Doctor of Philosophy] s, more than 130 peer-reviewed journal publications, and over 300 podium and plenary talks.

An advocate for graduate education, Moghe has directed two National Science Foundation-sponsored graduate training programs spanning 12 years — in biointerfaces and in stem cell science and engineering. He has also served as an adjunct professor of surgery at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School since 2008 and was a full member of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Inducted recently as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Moghe was previously named a fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and the International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Science and Engineering.

Moghe is a champion for academic excellence, undergraduate and graduate success, and for strengthened faculty recruitment and advancement. He also is an advocate for elevating cross-disciplinary research and has launched programs to foster a more vibrant, innovative and creative mindset among students.

Aaron Demerson currently serves at the President and CEO [Chief Executive Officer] of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC [Texas Economic Development Corporation] ). TxEDC [Texas Economic Development Corporation] is an independently funded and operated 501 (c) (3) organization that strategically partners and markets Texas both domestically and internationally as a premier business destination for companies looking to locate, relocate and/or expand their existing business footprint.

Previously, Demerson served as the Commissioner Representing Employers for the Texas Workforce Commission. In this role, Demerson advocated for over 660,000 Texas employers and over 3 million small businesses. Prior to his appointment he led activities as the Director of the Office of Employer Initiatives at the Texas Workforce Commission. Prior to employment at the Texas Workforce Commission, he served as a Senior Advisor to then Governor Rick Perry and Executive Director of the Economic Development & Tourism Division in the Governor’s Office, leading a team that marketed the State of Texas as a premier destination for both business and travel.

He has also served as the Director of Business Development, the Director of Administration, and managed the Finance Division for the Texas Economic Development Agency. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Leadership Austin and is proud to have participated in both the Army War College and National Training Center civilian programs.

Dr. Calvin D. Jamison serves as the vice president for facilities & economic development at The University of Texas at Dallas. His office is responsible for overseeing the facilities management, economic development, construction, real estate, and auxiliary services enterprises of the University. In a time of tremendous growth for the University, he continues to lead more than $2.5 billion in development and the addition of more than 15 million new and renovated square feet to the campus, including a mixed-use development called Northside, also known as “Comet Town.” UT Dallas has received more than 36 awards for building designs, LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] certification, and sustainability under his leadership.

Prior to his appointment at UT Dallas, Dr. Jamison served as senior vice president and chief administrative officer at Hampton University. He also previously served as CEO/city manager of Richmond, Virginia, where he oversaw almost $4 billion in new development with a $1.5 billion budget and 4,500 employees, held faculty and administrative positions at Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech, and worked in the private sector with the Ethyl Corporation.

Dr. Jamison has served as a clinical professor at UT Dallas and received the 2013 UT Dallas Staff Diversity Award. An avid golfer, his office sponsors the Annual UT Dallas Scholarship Golf Tournament, which has added more than $1 million to three scholarship endowments for undergraduate and graduate students.

Dr. Jamison has spearheaded the completion of an array of university development projects that will have added more than $150 million to the university over the lifespan of the projects. In addition, his leadership in community service work has supported the procurement of more than $11 million in grant funding to benefit HBCUs and expand broadband access to underserved communities around the country.

Dr. Jamison is the immediate past president of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA [National Forum for Black Public Administrators] ). He previously served as the president of the Texas Association of State Senior College and University Business Officers (TASSCUBO [Texas Association of State Senior College and University Business Officers] ) and has held membership in the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), the Research Universities Council, and the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO [Southern Association of College and University Business Officers] ). Dr. Jamison has also served as a past president of the Richmond Arts Council, past chair of Leadership Metro Richmond, and past chair of the Virginia Tourism Corporation Board of Directors where he received their Man of Vision Award. He received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Virginia Tech, and he was appointed to the Board of Visitors of Virginia Tech by the Governor of Virginia. Most recently, Dr. Jamison received the “Marks of Excellence Award” (highest honor) from the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA). He holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees from Virginia Tech.

Jenny Mizutowicz is the Director of Economic Development and Sustainability Liaison at the University of Texas at Dallas. In this role, Jenny leads UT Dallas’ economic development initiatives aimed at being an economic engine for the North Texas region and serves as an internal liaison for sustainability initiatives.

Jenny previously served as Manager of Economic Development Initiatives for UT Dallas from 2019-2022. She has also served as Economic Development Director for the City of Richardson, Economic Development Manager for the City of Carrollton and Director of Marketing for the former Richardson Economic Development Partnership (REDP [Richardson Economic Development Partnership] ), where she launched and managed the region’s first young professionals talent attraction campaign, “The Real Richardson.”

Jenny has a BBA [Bachelor of Business Administration] in marketing from UT Austin and an MA [Master of Arts] in emerging media and communication from UT Dallas. She is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD [Certified Economic Developer] ) and past Chair of the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC [International Economic Development Council] ) Young Professionals Advisory Committee and IEDC [International Economic Development Council] Education and Certification Advisory Committee. She currently serves on the University Economic Development Association (UEDA [University Economic Development Association] ) Board of Directors and chairs the UEDA [University Economic Development Association] Awards of Excellence Committee. In 2023, Jenny was selected by DCEO Magazine as one of the 500 most influential business people in Dallas. Jenny has one daughter and enjoys traveling to new places with her husband Cameron, Texas Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys football, and reading books.

Since 1996, Dr. Hasan Pirkul has led the Naveen Jindal School of Management through tremendous growth to increasing stature. He oversaw the construction of the school’s $38 million facility, which was completed in 2003. Ten years later, he helped direct the building of a $25 million addition that provides 50 percent more space for the University’s largest school.

“The new addition has provided us both breathing room and vital space,” he said. “While it includes many new classrooms, labs and a spacious Career Management Center, it also gives students many areas to congregate and work together. That enhances their social as well as educational well-being, and it contributes favorably to how they view the school.”

Pirkul has transformed the School of Management. Student enrollment has soared from 2,252 in 1996 to more than 9,000 in fall 2016. The faculty is six times larger, increasing from 45 to more than 280, with more than 20 named professorships. Since 1996, the number of academic programs has risen from six degrees to more than 20. In 2011, the school was named the Naveen Jindal School of Management in honor of a gift donated by alumnus Naveen Jindal MBA’92, who is chairman of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd. in India.

Pirkul has created an academic environment that fosters scholarly inquiry, innovative teaching and research productivity. Under his leadership, the school’s academic programs are continually ranked in The Princeton Review, Bloomberg Businessweek and U.S. News & World Report.

Pirkul helped create the UT Dallas Top 100 Business School Research Rankings^™, a widely used measure that he believes is his best contribution to research. The index serves as a benchmark of faculty research output in leading peer-reviewed journals and currently ranks the Jindal School fifth both in North America and globally.

“The UTD Top 100 has helped us set and reach our goal of having the Jindal School become ever more productive in research,” he said. “Improving our standing makes recruiting of faculty, students and businesses to the region much easier.”

As a teacher, Pirkul said he’s proud of advising 16 PhD students, many of whom have gone on to become successful academics. His research interests include design of telecommunication networks, distributed computer system design, knowledge-based systems, locating facilities, neural networks and genetic algorithms.

He is the founding co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Information Technology and Management. He has served as an associate editor of Management Science, Operations Research and Journal of Database Management.

He received a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Bogazici University in Turkey. He earned his master’s in management science and PhD in computer information systems at the Simon School, University of Rochester. Before joining UT Dallas in 1996, he taught at The Ohio State University from 1981 to 1996.