Patrick Barkey, the Director of Research at the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER), is retiring after 17 years in the role. During his tenure, Barkey led a team of 20 research professionals through major economic events, including the Great Recession and the Covid-19 pandemic. He conducted influential studies on housing affordability, health care, and high-tech industries, and was widely recognized across Montana for his economic forecasts and outreach efforts, including the Economic Outlook tour and the ‘Montana Economic Minute’ podcast. Barkey also held leadership roles in the Association of University Business and Economic Research (AUBER), serving as Secretary-Treasurer for nine years and president for two years. Under his leadership, BBER celebrated its 50th anniversary of the Economic Outlook Seminars and gained a stronger national reputation. University of Montana President Seth Bodnar praised Barkey for making BBER a trusted source of data and analysis for both public and private sectors. Jeff Michael, BBER’s new director, noted that Barkey’s contributions to Montana’s understanding of its economy will be long remembered.
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Patrick Barkey, UM’S economic research director, retiring after 17 years
Patrick Barkey will be retiring from his position of being the University of Montana’s Director of Research at the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the end of June. n nDuring Barkley’s career he did multiple high studies on topics like housing affordability, health care, and more. n nBarkley has also guided professionals through the Great Recession and the Covid Pandemic. n nHe was known throughout the Treasure State for his economic forecasts alongside his Economic Outlook tour and podcast ‘Montana Economic Minute’. n nBarkley served for nine years as the Association of University Business and Economic Research’s Secretary-Treasurer and the president for two years. n n“It has been a privilege to represent the University of Montana and the BBER brand across our great state,” Barkey said. n nThe following is a press release from UM: n nThe University of Montana’s longtime BBER Director Patrick Barkey is retiring at the end of June after leading the center since 2008. n nOver the past 17 years, Barkey has guided a team of 20 research professionals through the tumultuous years of the Great Recession and the Covid pandemic; conducted highly visible studies on important issues like housing affordability, health care and high tech; served as a well-respected source of economic analysis and expertise for legislators and leaders across the state; and led BBER to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Economic Outlook Seminars. n nBarkey is well-known throughout Montana for his economic forecasts, having traveled the state annually on the Economic Outlook tour, reaching all corners of Montana, and for his “Montana Economic Minute” a one-minute podcast that covers issues ranging from recession, inflation and interest rates to artificial intelligence and federal job cuts. He has elevated the national reputation of BBER through his leadership in the Association of University Business and Economic Research (AUBER), serving as the organization’s Secretary-Treasurer for nine years and its president for two years. He also won AUBER’s most prestigious award, the Thayne Robson award, for his longtime commitment and service to the organization. n n“Under Patrick Barkey’s leadership, BBER has grown to be a highly valued and trusted source of data and analysis that assists and informs a vast array of people and organizations from both the public and private sectors,” according to UM President Seth Bodnar. “BBER gives the people of Montana the gift of data, analysis and information that they can trust. You can’t put a price on this, much like you can’t put a price on the impact Pat has had on the state of Montana.” n n“Pat has a tremendous legacy of helping business, government and the public understand the economy of Montana,” according to Jeff Michael, BBER’s new director. “His contribution to the state will be remembered.” n n“It has been a privilege to represent the University of Montana and the BBER brand across our great state,” Barkey said. n nThe Bureau of Business and Economic Research is a research center located in UM’s College of Business. BBER researchers engage in a wide range of applied research projects that address different aspects of the state economy, including survey research, economic analysis, health care research, forecasting, wood products research and energy research. For more information visit http://bber.umt.edu or call 406-243-5113.