DAVID WESTFALL WEST GARRETT

1510 W North Loop Blvd # 923, Austin, TX 78756 703.869.6951 west.garrett@gmail.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/westgarrett ECONOMIST | DATA & STATISTICAL ANALYST Methodical and detail-oriented analyst with 7 years of experience in researching, evaluating, and writing. Skilled at analyzing complex data, determining conclusions, and communicating insights to management. Data Management Econometric Modeling Statistical Analysis Client Relations SAS Programming STATA Programming Financial Analysis MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint Database: MS Access, SQL

DATA & POLICY ANALYSIS/RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Economist Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS); Austin, TX (Full-time Contractor, 20112012) Updated, developed, and fine-tuned the strategic asset allocation (SAA) model to forecast asset returns over a 10-year time horizon. Produced a weekly report on TRSs holdings of futures and forwards contracts. Accomplishments Served as key member of workgroup for the Pension Benefit Design Study of TRSs $110 billion fund: wrote and edited portions of the Study, provided various analyses and graphs of the findings, and forecasted the long-term investment returns under the current defined benefit plan and the proposed alternatives. Provided economic and budget analysis under the direction of the CFO for materials presented to the TRS Board of Trustees and used for preparing TRSs Legislative Appropriation Request (LAR). Completed many ad-hoc data management and analysis requests in a timely manner. Research Analyst Texas Legislative Budget Board (LBB), Public Education Team; Austin, TX (20072009) Presented findings to quantitative inquiries from the LBB, the Texas Legislature, and state agencies in a timely manner. Interpreted and analyzed legislative bills and wrote fiscal notes in the 80th and 81st Legislative Sessions. Accomplishments Conducted statistical analysis on the relationship between a student receiving a TEXAS Grant and his/her success in college, and testified as a subject-matter expert in the Texas House of Representatives about this analysis and its implications, resulting in a biennium increase of $186 million for TEXAS Grants. Improved the methodology for forecasting the bilingual student count of each Texas school district by using panel data estimation, and distributed an informative summary in my agency. Generated a report on the methodology of the Texas Cost-of-Education Index, including possible improvements. Economist EmployStats, Economic and Statistical Research and Consulting; Austin, TX (20092011) Consulted with clients to provide their data, statistical, analytical, and written requests in a timely manner. Analyzed, constructed, and manipulated data to facilitate expert analysis. Wrote, edited, and reviewed drafts and collaborated with principal economist to construct legal expert reports and prepare him for legal depositions/trials. Accomplishments Managed certain litigation projects from initial data stage to completed expert report. Conducted research on economic topics to increase long-term company productivity. Took the initiative to research and implement a cost-effective retirement plan for the company.

Resume of David Westfall Garrett

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Statistical Analyst Digital Proctor; Austin, TX (Part-time, 2011Present) Provide statistical and data expertise for a start-up company that detects student cheating in online courses. Accomplishment Improved statistical significance by reducing error rate in proprietary software. Research Specialist Texas Indigent Defense Commission; Austin, TX (2013Aug. 2013) Conducted quantitative analysis for financial, fiscal, and criminal justice data projects. Interpreted and analyzed legislative bills and wrote fiscal notes in the 83rd Legislative Session. Accomplishments Directed the quantitative analysis and collaborated on the qualitative analysis with the Project Manager for the Discretionary Grant Closeout Evaluation of a public defenders office (PDO) in 2 Texas counties. Designed, distributed, and analyzed the results of a survey of county judges on a regional PDO. EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Master of Science in Economics (2006) Financed 80% of graduate education: Served as a Teaching/Research Asst. for 3 semesters in the Economics and Finance Departments. Conducted independent research with Ph.D. graduate to extend the findings of David Romers Do Firms Maximize? Evidence from Professional Football (Journal of Political Economy, 2006). COLLEGE OF WILLIAM & MARY Williamsburg, VA Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Minor in French - Magna cum Laude (2003) COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Volunteer Tax Preparer for Foundation Communities; Austin, TX (2013) Accomplishment Generated nearly $17,000 in tax refunds and saved clients $750 in tax preparation.

Willing to Relocate
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