I am an economist, attorney, author, entrepreneur, and a leading visionary in community economics. Currently, I serve as an Adjunct Professor at Bard Business School in New York City and a Senior Researcher for Council Fire, where I perform economic development analyses for states, local governments, and businesses around North America. I also publish a weekly newsletter on local investment called The Main Street Journal that reaches 8,000 readers.
I am credited with being one of the architects of the 2012 JOBS Act and dozens of state laws overhauling securities regulation of crowdfunding. I have also authored, coauthored, or edited ten books. My two most recent books are Put Your Money Where Your Life Is: How to Invest Locally Using Solo 401ks and Self-Directed IRAs and The Local Economy Solution: How Innovative, Self-Financing Pollinator Enterprises Can Grow Jobs and Prosperity. One of his previous books, The Small Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition (Berrett-Koehler, 2006), received a bronze prize from the Independent Publishers Association for best business book of 2006.
A prolific speaker, I have given an average of more than one invited talk per week, mostly to local governments and universities, for the past 30 years in nearly every U.S. state and more than a dozen countries.
I am highly active in public engagement, frequently appearing on radio shows, webinars, and video platforms to discuss community economics and local investment strategies.
In addition to his speaking engagements, I have published numerous articles in major media outlets and academic journals, contributing to the national discourse on sustainable economic development.
Book Chapters
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