Alumnus named Texan of the Year

Perryman ’78 honored for efforts in helping build a better state

World-renowned economist, policy adviser and Rice Owl Ray Perryman ’78 has been named Texan of the Year by the Texas Legislative Conference. He was presented the award March 22 at a special reception in his honor at the forum’s annual conference in New Braunfels.

RAY PERRYMAN

Perryman, who earned his doctorate in economics at Rice, was selected for his tireless efforts in helping to build a better Texas.

“For more than 30 years, Ray has been assessing the economic impact of corporate expansions, regulatory changes, real estate developments, public policy initiatives and myriad other factors affecting business activity,” said Sara Tays, conference chair. “He has conducted hundreds of impact analyses for the U.S. and Texas economies, and these studies have facilitated desirable corporate locations and expansions throughout the state.”

Perryman has been involved in all phases of economic development, including preparation of the “Texas, Our Texas” report, the statewide economic development plan that forms the basis for much of the legislation strengthening incentive programs within the state. He has been involved in numerous significant economic development policy initiatives and major site selections within the state in recent years, and his firm, The Perryman Group, has assisted many communities of all sizes with their development planning efforts. He also prepares regular forecasts of economic variables of the U.S. and Texas and each of the state’s metropolitan statistical areas.

Perryman joins a distinguished list of Texans of the Year, including the late politician and Civil Rights activist Barbara Jordan, former first lady Laura Bush, Southwest Airlines founder Herb Kelleher and late Gov. John Connally.

“I am truly humbled and grateful for this award,” Perryman said. “As a native Texan with deep roots, I can’t imagine any honor that could be more meaningful. The pantheon of past recipients includes friends, heroes and mentors, far too many of whom are no longer with us. I only hope that I can be worthy of their legacy and gain further inspiration from them to continually strive to improve the prospects for our great state as we face daunting challenges and boundless opportunities.”

The Texas Legislative Conference is a nonpartisan organization of Texas business and political leaders who meet annually in New Braunfels to focus on public policy issues.