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Headwaters Economics

Headwaters Economics

Independent Nonpartisan Research

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About Us

Headwaters Economics is an independent, nonprofit research group that works to improve community development and land management decisions. We inform community decision-making and identify practical solutions by making complex data understandable, beautiful, and interactive, helping develop solutions to some of the most urgent and important issues that communities face.

Where we work Products & Services Expertise Our Team

Based in Bozeman and Helena, Montana, Headwaters Economics receives funding from a wide variety of sources as part of our mission to improve community development and land management decisions. Our revenue comes from numerous places, including contracts with federal agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service; charitable foundations; and contract work for partner organizations.

Contact Us

Where we work

Headwaters Economics’ tools and data are used by federal and state agencies, local governments, nonprofits, and charitable foundations. Our work spans the country, from rural counties to large metropolitan cities.

Our Products & Services

We inform community decision-making and identify practical solutions by making complex data understandable, beautiful, and interactive.

Economic Research

We synthesize our economic analyses in easy-to-read, beautifully laid out reports.

EXAMPLE

Building a Wildfire-Resistant Home: Codes and Costs

A new home built to wildfire-resistant codes can be constructed for roughly the same cost as a typical home.

Socioeconomic Profiles

Our tools provide customized reports of key demographic and economic indicators.

EXAMPLE

Bureau of Land Management Socioeconomic Profiles

Download socioeconomic reports for states and counties near Bureau of Land Management units.

Data Visualizations

We create interactive dashboards and visualizations to tell a socioeconomic story.

EXAMPLE

Measuring Whitefish Trail Use

Outdoor recreation and the economic impact of Whitefish Trail use in Whitefish, Montana.

Recent Media Coverage

  Investigate WestVisualizing Climate-Vulnerable Communities

Billings Gazette

  Billings Gazette2020 wildfire season caused most structure loss in Montana since 2012

E&E News

  E&E NewsNew tool analyzes wildfire risk for cities, counties, states

See all media coverage

Trusted Experts

Headwaters Economics’ team brings decades of expertise, a commitment to rigorous research, and a deep dedication to helping communities thrive in a changing world.

Our Team

Patricia Hernandez

Executive Director

Patty is Executive Director of Headwaters Economics and has been with the organization since its inception in 2006. Patty has partnered with leaders from communities across the country to advance solutions that benefit people and the environment. She holds a Master’s degree in Ecology.

  •   406.599.7425
  •   patty@headwaterseconomics.org

Kelly Pohl

Associate Director

Kelly is Associate Director at Headwaters Economics and helps coordinate the team’s operations and communications and provides research support. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Montana State University and a Master’s degree in Geography from Portland State University.

  •   406.599.7841
  •   kelly@headwaterseconomics.org
headwaters-staff-Kimiko-Barrett

Kimiko Barrett, Ph.D.

Kimi leads the team’s research in wildfire and other natural hazards and is the Program Coordinator for the Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire program. Kimi holds a Master’s degree in Geography from Montana State University and a Ph.D. in Forestry from University of Montana.

  •   406.224.1837
  •   kimi@headwaterseconomics.org
Headwaters-staff-Janet-Clark

Janet Clark

Janet coordinates administration and staff support at Headwaters Economics, in addition to being our Editor in Chief. Janet holds a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Montana State University.

  •   406.599.1386
  •   janet@headwaterseconomics.org

Bill Daigle

Bill is Headwaters Economics lead software developer and programmer, helping design and build the team’s data tools and visualizations. He holds a M.S. in Biology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

  •   406.404.6119
  •   bill@headwaterseconomics.org
Headwaters-staff-Mark-Haggerty

Mark Haggerty

Mark leads the team’s research in tax policy, rural economic development, and community planning around energy and economic transitions. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Master’s degree in Geography from the University of Colorado.

  •   406.570.5626
  •   mark@headwaterseconomics.org
Headwaters-staff-Megan-Lawson

Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

Megan leads the team’s research in outdoor recreation, economic development, and demographics. She is a statistician and economist with a Ph.D. and Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Williams College.

  •   406.570.7475
  •   megan@headwaterseconomics.org

Brent Powell

Brent leads Headwaters Economics web and media development, providing support with website management, photography, videography, and graphic design. He holds a B.S. in Technology Education from Montana State University.

  •   406.219.1409
  •   brent@headwaterseconomics.org

Ray Rasker, Ph.D.

Ray is the co-founder and former Executive Director of Headwaters Economics. He has written extensively on rural development and the role of environmental quality and public lands in economic prosperity. He holds a Ph.D. in economics and forestry from Oregon State University.

  •   406.570.7044
  •   ray@headwaterseconomics.org

Kris Smith, Ph.D.

Kris leads the team’s research and community engagement related to flood mitigation and contributes to research on public finance and fiscal policy. Kris holds a Bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College, a Master’s degree in Community Development & Applied Economics from the University of Vermont, and has a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences – Geography from Montana State University.

  •   802.989.5385
  •   kris@headwaterseconomics.org

Scott Story

Scott is the team’s lead GIS analyst, database manager, and data wrangler. He coordinates and updates the data behind all Headwaters Economics tools and data visualizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Biology from Montana State University.

  •   406.202.1424
  •   scott@headwaterseconomics.org

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