2024 Economic Outlook Breakfast In Fairfield Set For Thursday

Information from the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce:

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce is hosting its much anticipated, annual 2024 Economic Outlook Breakfast at the Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield on Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 7:30am – 9:30am.

The event, which is sponsored by M&T Bank, will feature three very special guest speakers—Luke Tilley, EVP, Chief Economist & Department Head, Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors;
Fairfield’s new First Selectman, William Gerber; and Mark Banhart, Director of Community and
Economic Development for the Town of Fairfield.

Luke Tilley is chief economist and head of Asset Allocation and Quantitative Services for
Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc. (WTIA), the investment advisory arm of Wilmington
Trust and M&T Bank. Luke is also a member of WTIA’s Investment Committee.

Prior to joining Wilmington Trust in 2015, Luke was an officer and economic advisor with the
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Earlier in his career, Luke worked as a senior economist at
IHS Global Insight (now IHS Markit) and as an economist for the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development.

Luke Tilley holds a Ph.D. in economics from Temple University and a bachelor’s degree in
economics and history from James Madison University. He is a former adjunct faculty member at
Temple University and formerly served on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Economic
Association. In addition, Luke is former president of the Philadelphia Council for Business
Economics, a chapter of the National Association for Business Economics.

William (Bill) A. Gerber was elected to serve as the Town of Fairfield’s First Selectman in
November 2023.

First Selectman Gerber and his wife Jessica have lived in Fairfield for almost 30 years
where their children - John, Teddy, and Jillian – attended Fairfield’s public schools. In 2010, their
beloved son Teddy became ill with a rare type of cancer and passed away. Parents of local scouts
organized “Team Teddy Osborn Hill School” - which became the Gerber family’s annual
fundraising event - raising more than $1.4 million for pediatric cancer research since 2010.

In addition to Bill giving back to the community through his family’s annual fundraisers for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, he previously served on the Fairfield Representative Town Meeting (RTM) for 10 years along with its Finance and Legislation and Administrative Committees.

After graduating from Wesleyan University, Bill was among the first Western exchange students to attend Beijing University under China’s new Open Door Policy. After returning to the U.S., he
earned an MBA in Finance and an MS in Accounting from the NYU Stern School of Business, and
a CPA license while working for a major accounting firm in New York City. That foundation led to
a 30-year career in financial services during which he traveled and lived all over the world, working for various high-profile companies in senior-level positions.

In 2019, Bill received his master’s degree in public health from George Washington University, and fulfilled his practical work requirement with the Fairfield Health Department.

Mark Barnhart, is the Director of Community and Economic Development, Mark S. Barnhart for
the Town of Fairfield. During his 20-year tenure, Mark has been responsible for managing all of the Town’s development plans, plus the acquisition and redevelopment of the former Fort Devans site into affordable housing. From 2010 through its December 2011 opening, Mark oversaw the partial remediation and construction of the Fairfield Metro Train Station site to facilitate the private development now underway. Previously, Mark served as Town Manager and CEO for the Town of Stratford from 1992 to 2002. Mr. Barnhart holds a master’s degree from the University of
Pennsylvania and completed his undergraduate studies at Albright College.

Be the first to hear what may be in store for our economy in 2024! The Chamber’s guest speakers
will share a unique perspective on the national, regional, state, and local economy for 2024. This
breakfast program is a valuable opportunity to explore this year’s economic outlook with our
esteemed guest speakers, and discover first-hand, key issues, policies and developments that may
not only affect people personally but may have an impact on the business community as well - both locally and across the state of Connecticut.

“We are very excited to have Luke Tilley, First Selectman William Gerber, and Mark Barnhart as
guest speakers for our 2024 Economic Outlook Breakfast event, as people are always curious about
the direction of our economy as we begin a new year”, says Beverly A. Balaz, President of the
Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. “Please join us ‘must-see’ presentations and for breakfast at the
beautiful Brooklawn Country Club!”

This informative event is open to the public. To reserve a ticket, please RSVP by Friday, January
19 th by calling the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce office: 203-255-1011 or registering online at:
www.FairfieldCTChamber.com.

• 7:30am-8:00am: Networking & Breakfast (Hot breakfast buffet will be served).
• 8:00am-9:00am: Economic Outlook Presentations
• 9:00am-9:30am: Q&A

• Chamber Members: $65/pp
• Non-Members (Public): $75/pp

Reserved Table of 10 for non-Chamber Members: $750.00

For more information on this event, please call the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce: 203-255-1011 or email Michele Berardo: Michele@FairfieldCTChamber.com. For more information, please also visit the Chamber’s website: 2024 Economic Outlook Breakfast Sign-Up

— Flyer via Fairfield Chamber of Commerce