Economic Outlook Conference

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor:
Bank of America

Media Coverage

"Experts Share Insights On Economy, Region at Conference And Expo" - WilmingtonBiz

Going Places

As our region and country emerged in the past year from Covid restrictions, new challenges emerged in the form of inflation, employee shortages and stock market swings. Yet through it all, the Wilmington region has seen continued growth. On October 6, we will took a look back and a look ahead with a national investment strategist, our regional economist and a panel of local leaders who represent some of our region’s biggest economic drivers.

The Swain Center partnered with the WilmingtonBiz Expo & Conference to present our Economic Outlook Conference as a part of the Keynote Lunch. For further event details, visit the WilmingtonBiz conference page.

Questions? Contact Assistant Director Bob Pious.

Brian Daley

Head of Equity Strategy, Chief Investment Office, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank

Brian Daley is a Managing Director and Head of Equity Strategy for the Chief Investment Office (CIO) within Bank of America Corporation. In this role, Daley oversees and develops the individual equity and industry analysis investment strategy supporting Bank of America Private Bank.

Prior to joining Bank of America, Brian served in roles at Trident Investment Management, Conifer Securities, Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch in equity research, trading, and research sales positions. Brian earned his B.S. degree in Finance with a concentration in Economics from Villanova University.

Mouhcine Guettabi

Regional Economist, UNCW's Swain Center

Mouhcine Guettabi joined the UNCW in August 2021 and is serving as both an Associate professor as well as the area’s regional economist.

Before joining UNCW, he was an associate professor of economics at the University of Alaska Anchorage. On the academic front, he is an applied microeconomist, with his recently published research being found in some of the leading economic journals such as the Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, and the Journal of Regional Science. He earned his PhD in economics with an emphasis on Urban and Regional Economics from Oklahoma State University in 2012.

Jeff Bourk

Airport Director, Wilmington International Airport

Jeff Bourk is the Airport Director at Wilmington International Airport. Bourk has over 30 years of aviation experience, including 20 years focused on airport management. He has managed airports publicly and privately operated. He soloed his first aircraft at age 16 and received his pilot’s license at age 17 (the youngest the FAA permits). Bourk holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an MBA from Daniel Webster College. In 2003, the American Association of Airport Executives designated Bourk as an accredited airport executive (A.A.E.), a prestigious honor within the industry.

Brian Clark

Executive Director, North Carolina State Ports Authority

Brian Clark has served as Executive Director of the North Carolina State Ports Authority since January 2021. Under Clark’s leadership, NC Ports has completed several critical infrastructure improvements and during his tenure, the Port of Wilmington’s container terminal was recognized as the fourth most productive port in North America by the World Bank Group and S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Clark has more than 25 years of experience in the maritime industry, having worked in senior positions in port operation in several US locations. He is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and is also a graduate of Duke University Fuqua School of Business Executive Education Program.

Lowell Davis

Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, University of North Carolina Wilmington

Lowell Davis joined the University of North Carolina Wilmington as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs in May 2021. Prior to his tenure at UNCW, he held posts at Western Carolina University, University of Alabama, Indiana University and Hampton University.

In addition to his Vice Chancellor duties, Davis is also a member of the Chancellor’s cabinet; President of the North American Association of Summer Sessions Council; a member of the New Hanover County Commission for African American Heritage, History, and Culture; involved with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; on the Council of Advisors for Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina; and extremely involved with national accreditation efforts through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Davis holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University in higher education administration and student affairs, a master’s in counseling and a bachelor’s in English arts-secondary education from Hampton University.

Natalie English

President and CEO, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce

Natalie English began her role as president and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce in 2017, after serving 11 years with the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, including as its chief public policy officer. She has served for over 20 years in a chamber of a commerce leadership role and has almost 30 years of experience monitoring legislative and regulatory issues locally, statewide, and at the federal level.

Natalie received her B.A. in Communications from North Carolina State University and achieved her designation as a Certified Chamber Executive in 2012, one of only several hundred. Natalie has also been an active volunteer and board member for numerous nonprofit organizations in Wilmington, Charlotte and at the state level.

This section is still undergoing maintenance with the new website launch. More information about our past conferences will be added soon.