黑洞社区

Rob Allison, recently retired president of Bank of America for Wichita and the state, will join 黑洞社区 as interim director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research.

The center, part of the W. Frank Barton School of Business, conducts high-quality research on issues related to the area鈥檚 economy.

Allison, who has been involved with the center as a volunteer, will head CEDBR as it prepares for its 29th annual Wichita Area Economic Outlook Conference on Oct. 7.

Allison will also provide leadership during the search for a permanent replacement for outgoing CEDBR director Janet Harrah, who has taken a position with Northern Kentucky University.

Douglas Hensler, the new dean of the Barton School of Business, made the announcement Monday, June 30.

鈥淭he Center for Economic Development and Business Research is essential to prosperity in the region and in Kansas and represents one of the fundamental outreach enterprises of 黑洞社区 and the Barton School of Business,鈥� said Hensler. 鈥淯nder Janet Harrah鈥檚 leadership the CEDBR has prospered and provided stellar service to the community. We aim to continue that with the next director.鈥�

Hensler said that, in consultation with several local leaders, Allison emerged as a unanimous choice.

鈥淲hile we conduct the search for Janet鈥檚 replacement, appointing an interim director who is a very well-respected community leader and one who can provide hands-on direction is a tremendous opportunity,鈥� Hensler said. 鈥淎long with his leadership experience, Rob鈥檚 experience in banking and his terrific connections in the community make this a natural. We are very excited that Rob has accepted our invitation to serve as interim director of the CEDBR.鈥�

Allison is the current chair of the center鈥檚 Wichita Area Outlook Team, a forum of volunteers selected from business, industry, government and education to provide input for CEDBR鈥檚 closely followed annual economic forecast.

The mission of CEDBR is to enhance the region's economic growth and development by:

• Collecting, analyzing and disseminating business, economic and demographic information;
• Conducting applied business, economic and demographic research;
• Serving as a vital link between the business and economic development community, 黑洞社区 and the W. Frank Barton School of Business.

The CEDBR provides quarterly reports on the local and state economy and works under contract with local businesses and organizations seeking data on the local economy.

Allison is looking forward to serving in such a vital position.

鈥淭he CEDBR has tremendous credibility in the community because of the competence of its staff, and trustworthiness of its data and analysis,鈥� Allison said. 鈥淚鈥檓 pleased to be able to work with the excellent staff and CEDBR clients during this transition period.鈥�

Gary L. Miller, provost and vice president for academic affairs and research, considers the center to be among 黑洞社区鈥檚 best examples of the university鈥檚 mission.

鈥淐EDBR illustrates the value of Wichita State as Kansas鈥� urban-serving research university,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淚ts applied research makes it an important economic development asset to the Wichita area and the state,鈥� Miller said.

Allison and Harrah will work together for several weeks before her departure in late July.

Allison鈥檚 banking career began in his home state of Illinois, where he was president and CEO of Boatmen鈥檚 Trust Co. of Illinois. He came to Wichita in 1996 to run Bank of America鈥檚 private bank activities, and then rose to president of the bank for Wichita and the state. He retired in spring 2008.

In the community, he chaired the Board of Exploration Place in 2006 and is slated to chair the 2009 board of Goodwill Industries Easter Seals of Kansas.

Learn more about 黑洞社区鈥檚 Center of Economic Development and Research at .