Lee McPheters’ research specializes in producing economic forecasts for Arizona and the western states.

His recent research has emphasized transportation issues in economic development, with support from the U. S. Department of Transportation, the Arizona Department of Transportation, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and Boeing, among others.

McPheters is a Research Professor of Economics in the W. P. Carey School of Business and Director of the school’s JPMorgan Chase Economic Outlook Center. McPheters also oversees the Job Growth USA website that tracks employment across states and metropolitan areas and is frequently used by economists, financial analysts and economic development specialists. 

His writings on the western region have been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Economist, Business Week, The New York Times, and Newsweek as well as major metropolitan area newspapers. He has appeared on Good Morning America, Fox News, NPR and CNN commenting on the economy.