7/2/2010 - Jackson, Miss.

Dr. Darrin Webb, a senior economist at the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) for nearly 15 years, has been selected as the new State Economist.

He assumes the position immediately from Dr. Phil Pepper, who retired at the end of June.

In his years at IHL, Dr. Webb has worked closely with the Revenue Estimating Group, formulating and presenting the University Research Center’s estimate. He also constructed and maintained the state’s Leading and Coincident Indicator series, tools that are used to forecast economic trends and assess the Mississippi economy.

Dr. Webb, a native Mississippian, is the editor of Mississippi’s Business, a monthly publication that monitors the state’s economy.

“Dr. Webb takes on this important responsibility at a very difficult time in Mississippi’s history. The significant experience he already has uniquely prepares him for the challenge,” Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Hank Bounds said. “I know he will be thorough in his work, allowing our state leaders to make the best decisions possible regarding the state budget and our economy.”

The State Economist serves as the chief economist for the State of Mississippi. Responsibilities include economic forecasting, socio-economic policy analysis and monitoring collections of state general fund revenue.

The State Economist traditionally serves as chair of the Revenue Estimating Group, working closely with the Governor’s Office, Legislative Budget Office, legislators and other state agencies.

Dr. Webb earned an associate’s degree in applied science from Hinds Community College, and a bachelor’s in agribusiness and a master’s in agricultural economics, both from Mississippi State University. His doctorate of philosophy in applied economics is from Clemson University in Clemson, S.C.

Prior to his work as a senior economist at IHL, Dr. Webb served as an assistant professor of agricultural economics at Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, La.

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The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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