Florida TaxWatch Welcomes New Chief Economist Dr. Robert D. Cruz

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - To continue our mission of sharing high-quality, independent research and analysis with Florida’s taxpayers and public officials, Florida TaxWatch is proud to announce Dr. Robert D. Cruz has joined our team as our Chief Economist.

"We are excited to welcome Dr. Cruz to our team. He brings a breadth of experience to our organization with a professional career spanning 33 years as a university professor, academic researcher and economics consultant to private sector firms and public sector agencies,” said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, a non-partisan, non-profit research group and government watchdog. “His work will further Florida TaxWatch’s status as the premier government watchdog in the Sunshine State.”

Dr. Cruz comes to Florida TaxWatch after serving as Department Chairman of the Business School at the Kendall Campus of Miami-Dade College. He was also the Chief Economist for Miami-Dade County. Prior to this, he held the rank of full professor in the Andreas School of Business at Barry University and began his academic career in 1981 as faculty member in the economics department at Florida International University.

Dr. Cruz received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1985, and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University in 1978. He is a recognized expert in quantitative economic analysis with particular specialization in regional economic development, macroeconomic forecasting, and modeling and simulation analysis.