Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) President Andrew S. Rein issued the following statement: 

“I am pleased to announce Alex Heil as the Citizens Budget Commission’s Vice President for Research. Alex’s breadth and depth of experience is the perfect fit for CBC, especially at this time of fiscal and economic crises. His extensive knowledge, honed over years as the Port Authority’s Chief Economist and as an economic and environmental consultant, will enhance our analytic capacity and knowledge of regional economics, transportation and environmental issues. We look forward to working together to provide the research and recommendations that hold government accountable and provide a roadmap for responsible management.” 

Statement from Alexander Heil, Ph.D., incoming Vice President for Research:

“I am elated to be joining the Citizens Budget Commission as its Vice President for Research. We are living through an unprecedented health and fiscal crisis. The team at CBC has long been a catalyst for positive change in government finance and their work is needed now as much as ever before.” 

About Alexander Heil, Ph.D. 

Alexander Heil, Ph.D. was the Chief Economist at the Port Authority of NY & NJ since 2010. At the PANYNJ, he led six economists in the Economics Unit of the Port Authority to provide strategic leadership to executive management on issues relating to macroeconomic scenario forecasting, traffic and activity projections, cost-benefit analysis, sustainability & climate change, economic impact analysis, and ongoing real-time commentary of the regional and national economies. Previously, he was an Environmental Economist & Group Leader at CDM Smith, Inc. where he focused on economic and environmental issues for public utilities and researched the economic impacts of transportation investments. Alexander received his Doctorate of Philosophy in Transportation Economics from the University of South Wales in the UK, a Master of Science in Economics from Golden Gate University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Hawai’i Pacific University.