Connecticut Mirror – There are bright spots in Connecticut’s sluggish economy, even as Connecticut’s key manufacturing sector has lagged, a recent federal report says. Those bright spots include healthcare, finance and professional services like information technology, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis says.
Finance
Union Leader Raps ‘Lavish’ Pay for Hospital Execs
The Connecticut Economic Outlook: June 2015
Flat Lining – Connecticut’s Disappearing Economic Growth
Connecticut Center of Economic Analysis – In early June, the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) revised national 2015Q1 GDP estimates, including, unfortunately, strong downward revisions for Connecticut’s Real Gross State Product, wiping out the strong growth reported in CCEA’s previous Outlook.
Darden’s Real Estate Play
Marketplace – Eaten at the Olive Garden lately? You probably thought more about the bread sticks than who owns the building — fair enough. However, Darden Restaurants, which owns the Olive Garden, Long Horn Steakhouse and some other chains, announced Tuesday that it’s going to spin off its real estate into something called a REIT — a real estate investment trust — and then lease the properties back.
Ackerman Faculty Scholars Announced
Five faculty members from the School of Business have been named Ackerman Scholars for academic years 2015-2017. They are: John Phillips of Accounting, Rex Santerre of Finance, Greg Reilly of Management, Girish Punj of Marketing and Bob Day of Operations and Information Management (OPIM).
Continuing from last year, for academic year 2015-2016, are: Qing Cao and Gary Powell of Management and Xue Bai, Jose Cruz and Suresh Nair of OPIM.
The Ackerman Scholar award recognizes significant and continuing all-round academic productivity among the faculty of the School, said Sulin Ba, associate dean of academic and research support. It is awarded to faculty who are not already supported by endowed chair, professorship, scholarship or fellowship appointments. The award is supported by the Ackerman Fund, the School of Business and the departments.
New MBA Case Study Tackles Trillion Dollar Changes in Mutual Fund Distribution Channels
Mutual funds are a core element of retirement and investment plans, representing roughly $1 of every $5 held in the bank or financial accounts of US households. In April, MBA students in Professor Mary Caravella’s MBA Marketing classes analyzed how mutual fund products from the roughly 800 fund companies in the industry currently reach the roughly 57 million households who own them, and then debated how one market leader, Capital Group/American Funds, should address some potential profound market forces affecting their retail go-to-market strategy. Continue Reading
50 Years of Excellence
Gala Evening Celebrates Accomplishments of UConn’s Prestigious Real Estate Program
Some 300 people—from real estate legends to revered faculty to soon-to-be graduates—filled the Rome Ballroom on the Storrs campus to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Center for Real Estate and Urban Economic Studies.
The tight-knit commercial real estate community came out to laude the program’s accomplishments, honor those who have shaped its success, reminisce about the growth of the program over the decades, and to look enthusiastically toward the future.
The UConn Real Estate program has long been regarded as one of the best in the country. Director John Glascock announced that the program’s Advisory Council has secured $2 million in endowed funds for the program during the last four years. At the dinner it was announced that an endowed scholar position would be created in honor of William Kinnard, the first director of the Center. Long-time Professor John Clapp will be named as The William N. Kinnard Research Scholar. Continue Reading
Spring 2015 Research Newsletter
Real Estate: The Practical Approach

International Real Estate Moguls Share High-Stakes Tactics with UConn Protégé
As the CEO of one of the largest real estate advisory firms in the world, David J. Reilly has plenty to keep him busy.
His company, Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers, is immersed in the development of the much-anticipated Fan Pier—an upscale, 21-acre office, retail, residential and restaurant complex along Boston Harbor.
But despite his many commitments, the man at the helm of a $44 billion, Hartford-based real-estate empire, along with three members of the company’s executive team, devotes one evening a week to teach a realistic, challenging and pragmatic course to UConn real estate students.Continue Reading
Academic Symposium
UConn Center for Real Estate 50th Anniversary Academic Symposium
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics Studies, the Center hosted an international academic symposium. Attendees included research professors from countries such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, The Netherlands and Italy as well as top academics from across the United States.
The event held from March 26 through March 28 drew the submission of nearly 60 papers, from which 14 were presented. The process was very competitive, which was evident in the conference through spirited research and lively and engaging debate.
The Center would like to thank C.F. Sirmans and Dean Gatzlaff of Florida State University, and David Ling and Wayne Archer of the University of Florida for paving the way and allowing the Center to step in and hold the conference that would annually take place within their institutions. This group also promoted the conference and ensured the successful attendance. We also thank the UConn Center symposium committee of John Clapp, Jeff Cohen, John Glascock and Steve Ross. A special thanks and appreciation to John Harding for direction and guidance through out the symposium planning.

