FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Jeffery T. Collins, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, has resigned, effective Dec. 31, 2006.

Jeffery T. Collins

Kathy Deck

Collins has many external business opportunities and has elected to take the time to pursue them more fully. Kathy Deck, associate director of the Center, will serve as interim director until a new director is selected from a national search. Collins will participate in the Walton College’s Business Forecast luncheon on Jan. 26, 2007, where he will present the local, regional and state forecast.

“The Center for Business and Economic Research, under Jeff’s leadership has developed into a local, state and nationally respected entity for business research and economic forecasting,” said Don Bland, Walton College senior managing director of outreach. “The Walton College is extremely grateful for his passion, dedication and numerous accomplishments on its behalf. His leadership will truly be missed.”

Collins said, “The Walton College is a tough place to leave because of the many fine people who work there. I am proud of many of the accomplishments of the center during my tenure but none more than our ability to build a talented and dedicated staff.” 

 Collins has served as director of the Center for Business and Economic Research since 1999. He oversaw applied economic research as part of the college’s outreach mission. Recent studies have been conducted for the city of Fayetteville, Arvest Bank Group, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and Southwestern Energy Co.

Further, Collins has actively worked with the economic development community of the state to build Arkansas’ capacity to create high-wage, high-skill employment. He is a member of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors. He has also served with Accelerate Arkansas, a statewide group of volunteers working under the nonprofit Capital Resource Corp., to benchmark the state’s progress in building knowledge-based companies and employment. Collins has published in scholarly and applied journals, and he is regularly interviewed by national and local media. He earned his doctorate in economics from the University of Tennessee in 1996.