UM announces new director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research

MISSOULA, Mont. – The University of Montana has hired Dr. Jefferey Michael as the new director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

Current and former BBER Director Patrick Barkey will remain in his role until he plans to retire in June 2025.

Since 2021, Michael has served as director of Public Policy at the University of the Pacific law school.

The University of Montana sent the following:

After a national search, the University of Montana has hired Dr. Jeffrey Michael to serve as the next director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

Michael joins BBER from the University of the Pacific, where he has served as director of Public Policy at McGeorge School of Law since 2021. Specializing in economics with decades of experience in regional economic forecasting, Michael was previously executive director of the Center for Business and Policy Research and Director of the Business Forecasting Center at the Eberhardt School of Business at the University of Pacific for 13 years.

“BBER has a tremendous legacy of helping businesses, government and the public understand Montana’s economy,” said Michael. “I’m excited to contribute to BBER’s mission and engage with Montana’s business and civic leaders on critical and emerging economic issues.”

BBER’s long-time director, Patrick Barkey, will remain director of research until June 2025, when he plans to retire.

“We are very fortunate to bring a new leader with Jeff Michael’s experience and skills to Montana State,” Barkey said. “He’s going to start putting his own stamp on everything we do.”

As director of BBER, Michael will lead the team of 20 research professionals at a nationally recognized research center that continues to produce economic and industry data for all geographic areas of Montana, as well as present economic forecasts at annual Economic Outlook Seminars throughout the state.