San Francisco Bay Area
Alec specializes in economic analysis related to competitiveness, labor markets, clusters and value chains, and in facilitating regional economic development. He has directed competitiveness initiatives in over 25 countries using value chain analysis and collaborative strategy development methods to involve stakeholders in cluster identification and growth. His experience is evenly split between advanced and emerging economies, working in aerospace, biotechnology and life sciences, clean tech, energy efficiency, food processing, green building, information technology (ICT), machinery, renewable energy, tourism, textiles and apparel, transportation, and wood products industries, among others. Much of his work focuses on small business development, investment promotion and improving technology transfer mechanisms to promote economic growth. He has front-line experience implementing economic strategies with specific emphasis on climate change initiatives, small enterprise development and clustering. He has lectured on competitiveness and cluster development at U.C. Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings. Specialties: Regional Economic Development; Competitiveness; Labor Market Assessments, Economic Strategy Consulting, Value Chain Analysis; Cluster Development, Facilitation. Countries: Argentina, Armenia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Eastern Caribbean, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guyana, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Zimbabwe and the United States.
Project management, research studies, speaking engagements and trainings.
Annual meetings and special projects promoting TCI, the network for practitioners of competitiveness and cluster development. (Unpaid)
Focusing on labor market analysis, sector selection, and competitiveness assessments for the Private Sector Innovations Unit at FHI 360. Based in Tunis, Tunisia
Served as start-up Chief of Party for this five-year $45 million project, implemented by DAI, which focuses on employment growth and development of three sectors: ICT, Clean Technologies, and Healthcare/Life Sciences. Hired and managed 32 staff and several sub-contractors, including McKinsey and Co. Generated high-level buy-in among private sector stakeholders and government for the project’s cluster-based, private sector driven approach. Pioneered design of several innovative approaches, such as “Implementation Labs” designed to move intensively and quickly from strategy to action on flagship initiatives, and use of social network analysis to gauge project impact on the effectiveness of Jordan’s innovation network. Trained project staff in USAID value chain and cluster facilitation methodologies and supervised identification of over 25 business initiatives.