Join the National Economist Club in this panel presentation about how the freight transportation sector has been impacted during this pandemic and how they are preparing for the future. Association of American Railroads (AAR) Senior Economist Luisa Fernandez-Willey will join us to discuss the current state of the railroad industry, the movement of key commodities and how the industry is preparing for recovery. As well, Bob Costello, Chief Economist for the American Trucking Associations (ATA), will provide an update on the trucking economy and what that means for the broader economy. Trucking moves over 70% of the freight in the US, based on volume, so it is a great reflection of the goods economy.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN! A link to the webinar will be sent prior to the event (by 11am EST, 6/18) to those who sign up. Registration will be open until 11am, Thursday, June 18, 2020. You should receive a confirmation email after registering. If not, contact the NEC for that or any other questions at manager@national-economists.org. Please disregard the QR code in the confirmation email. The Zoom link is what you will need for the webinar.

About the Speakers:

Luisa Fernandez-Willey joined the AAR in March 2015 as a Senior Economist in the Policy & Economics Department. Among other duties, Luisa conducts quantitative and qualitative research and analysis on economic and policy issues affecting freight railroads. Additionally, she assists with the data collection and production of several AAR publications. Luisa’s professional experience prior to joining the AAR includes financial management consulting, economic research supporting government and private sector clients, and academia.
Luisa holds an M.A. in Economics from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a M.Sc. in Business and Economic Forecasting from Kingston University-London. She also completed Michigan State University’s Railway Certification Management Program.

Bob Costello is the Chief Economist & Senior Vice President of International Trade Policy and Cross-Border Operations for the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the national trade association for the trucking industry. As Chief Economist, he manages all of ATA’s collection, analysis and dissemination of trucking economic information. This includes several monthly trucking economic indicators, motor carrier financial and operating data, an annual freight transportation forecast, driver wage studies, weekly diesel fuel price and economic reports, and a yearly trucking almanac. Bob also conducts economic analyses of proposed regulations and legislation affecting the trucking industry.
Bob has a Master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts from Winona State University in Winona, MN.