Friday, September 19, 2014

Renowned Financial Strategists at Hood

Two nationally renowned financial strategists will discuss their insights about Frederick County’s economic outlook Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Hodson Auditorium in Rosenstock Hall at Hood College.

In a talk entitled “The Shifting Landscape of American Communities,” James Chung and Maurice Nicholson will discuss the practice of predicting market changes and national trends and how these methodologies can be applied to the economic demography of Frederick County.
Following the presentation, which is free and open to the public, questions from the audience will be addressed.

            Chung is the president of Reach Advisors, a New York-based strategy, research and predictive analytics firm focused on emerging shifts in the external landscapes. He serves some of the nation’s largest organizations involved in community development and economic development, tourism and resorts, healthy living, museums and cultural institutions, higher education and other fields undergoing significant change or confronting major bets about the future.
Chung has been a featured speaker at many of the national and international conferences for the fields that he serves. He is also a writer, analyst and recurring source for media organizations such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR and “NBC Nightly News,” among many others. He is the co-author of “Life Stages of the Museum Visitor.”  Chung earned his bachelor’s and MBA degrees from Harvard University.

            Nicholson is president of The Relevance Company, a cultural insights and strategy firm focused on helping clients with target market selection and developing strategies to deliver value by leveraging cultural connections. He has assisted organizations involved in economic development in the D.C., Los Angeles and Boston regions, examining how the public is changing and what that means for the future of those communities.  Nicholson earned his bachelor’s degree from Boston University, and his MBA from Harvard Business School.

The presentation is part of Hood College’s Management Distinguished Lecture Series, which focuses on economic issues facing today’s communities. Most recently, the series featured Stephanie Hill of Lockheed Martin and Jessica Jackly, founder of KIVA.

The presentation is co-hosted by Hood College and the Frederick County  Chamber of Commerce and underwritten by chamber members, including Ausherman Properties, Harris Smariga, Leidos Biomedical Research, Linowes and Blocher, Miles & Stockbridge, Miller and Smith and Elm Street Development.  Promotional partners include the Frederick Office of Economic Development, Frederick County Office of Business Development and Retention, and Frederick County Building Industry Association.  For more information contact Cynthia Miller, Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, at 301-662-4164.