ARTBA Economics & Research: Economics & Research Team

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Transportation Construction Industry's Preeminent Market Research Operation

Dr. William R. Buechner is vice president of economics and research at the American Road & Transportation Builders Association in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining ARTBA in July 1996, Dr. Buechner was a senior economist for 21 years on the staff of the Congressional Joint Economic Committee, where he worked with members of Congress on a broad range of economic policy issues. He wrote numerous studies and reports for the Committee, helped Committee members prepare and manage legislation, and managed over 300 Committee hearings. Dr. Buechner is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Amherst College and received his doctorate from Harvard University. He has served on the faculties of George Washington University, American University and George Mason University.

Alison Black

Alison Premo Black is Vice President of Policy for ARTBA. Ms. Black, who is completing her Ph.D. in economics at George Washington University , joined ARTBA as an economist in 2000. She spearheads ARTBA's policy-related research projects and serves as managing director of the ARTBA Research & Education Division. She also oversees the Local Technical Assistance Program and Council of University Transportation Centers management contracts.

Ms. Black has an M.A. in international economics and Latin American studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and is a triple major magna cum laude graduate of Syracuse University.

Prior to joining ARTBA, Ms. Black worked as an analyst and researcher in the economic section of the Republic of Korea and as a researcher in the trade unit of the Organization of American States.

Diego Saltes joined ARTBA in April 2007 as Senior Economist. Mr. Saltes began his career with the American Trucking Associations in 1997 as a Research Analyst and was promoted to Economist two years later. After six years with ATA, Mr. Saltes joined the American Institute of Architects as Director, Economics & Market Research, later moving to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce where he served as an Economist until April 2007.

Mr. Saltes received his Bachelor of Science, Economics (International Concentration) in 1995 and his Master of Science, International Economics, in 1996, both from Radford University . He is currently enrolled on a part-time basis at The Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies for his Masters in International Public Policy.

Mr. Saltes's research has focused on the energy, transportation and construction markets, as well as macroeconomic analysis and forecasting.

Lucia Olivera joined ARTBA in June 2007 as Research Analyst. A native of Argentina, Ms. Olivera began her college degree at the University of Buenos Aires and later moved to the U.S. to attend Southern Utah University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Management and Information Systems in 2003.

After graduation, Ms. Olivera worked as a research assistant for the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, where she assisted economists with data research, report writing, and committee hearings. In 2005 she joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a manager of Federation Relations.

She is currently enrolled on a part-time basis at The Johns Hopkins University's Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences for her Masters in Applied Economics.