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UA Names Mervin Jebaraj CBER Director

2 min read

The University of Arkansas has named Mervin Jebaraj director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Sam M. Walton College of Business. His new role begins Jan. 1.

Jebaraj has been interim director since April following the departure of Kathy Deck, who took a job as director of community and economic research partnerships at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. 

“I look forward to continuing and expanding the range of economic analyses and services that the Center for Business and Economic Research has been known for during its 75-year history,” Jebaraj said in a news release. “The center will continue to fulfill its role as the most relied-on resource for critical economic information in the state of Arkansas and serve as a catalyst for economic development in the state.”

Jebaraj earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and international relations from the University of Arkansas in 2007 and a master of public administration in public policy from the UA in 2011. He was previously the assistant director at the CBER, where he has worked since 2007.

“Mervin has been key to the depth and breadth of data to come out of the Center for Business and Economic Research for several years,” said Walton College Dean Matt Waller. “We are excited that he will now lead the center and its work that is so pivotal to the success and growth of business all across Arkansas. He is a great resource to have at the head of this key player in the state’s economic and business activity.”

The UA said that during his more than 10 years at the center, Jebaraj has been instrumental in “creating and executing” economic studies for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the Northwest Arkansas Council, the Walton Family Foundation, Arvest Bank, the UA and others. Jebaraj was named among Arkansas Business’ “20 in Their 20s” class in 2015.

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