Director of Market Research & Economic Development responsible for managing the economic and market research activities for the firm, coordinating economic development efforts for the International, Greater Sharpstown, Brays Oaks and Montrose management districts and advising on such efforts in the East Aldine District.

 Professional Experience:   CDS Market Research – Principal Associate, 1990-2010.  As senior contract consultant, managed or performed over 200 economic and market research projects primarily for Texas cities, economic development entities, transportation agencies, nonprofit organizations, special districts, developers and property owners.  Included were market demand and feasibility studies for shopping centers, commercial office buildings, industrial parks, a high rise residential building, single family housing and mixed use projects, including transit oriented developments.  Methodologies employed included secondary data research; quantitative survey research calling for project planning, sample design, questionnaire design, interviewing arrangement and analysis of results; qualitative research in the form of executive interviews and focus groups; and the writing and presentation of final reports.   Lawrence & Associates – President, 1978-2010.  Performed market demand and feasibility studies for industrial projects or corporate acquisitions in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Asia.  Performed business partner and importee/distributor searches in Europe on behalf of technology based European manufactures while based in Frankfurt and later Wiesbaden, Germany.  Also planned and managed economic development initiatives in Europe on behalf of the Houston Economic Development Council (now Greater Houston Partnership) and the ASEAN countries, China on behalf of UNIDO and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, and developing countries throughout the world on behalf of the German Agency of Technical Cooperation (GTZ).   Exxon Cooperation – Economic and Marketing Specialist 1965-1978.  After serving as a market analyst on Exxon’s Marketing Planning and Evaluation staff and managing a chain of five company operated car care centers, supervised a staff of three persons performing economic analyses of capital projects, and for the last three years coordinated preparation of Exxon Marketing’s annual long range business plan and capital expenditure forecast.  

 Professional Memberships: Greater Houston Partnership German American Chamber of Commerce Houston Tomorrow (formerly Livable Centers Initiative) Citizens Transportation Coalition Texas Rail Advocates Past President, Houston Chapter, American Marketing Association Past Vice Chairman, Houston District Export Council Past Member, Texas-Tamaulipas Bilateral Commission   Education:   Master of Business Administration, University of Missouri   Bachelor of Science, Industrial Management, University of Kansas