Ryan Sharp to Join Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.

Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. (EPS) today announced that Ryan Sharp, a recognized expert on the Sacramento-region and California economies, will be joining the firm on Sept. 8 as a senior vice president.

The EPS urban economics practice will be enhanced by Sharp’s experience in analyzing regional economies and industry trends, identifying job and business growth opportunities, and recommending initiatives for economic development. Sharp also will continue to regularly analyze the regional and statewide economies, and be available for speaking engagements and media inquiries.

Sharp for the past 12 years has led the Center for Strategic Economic Research (CSER), an affiliate of the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization (SACTO), where he worked on several Sacramento region economic development projects, including the Next Economy Capital Region Prosperity Plan, Greater Sacramento Generosity Project and Give Local Now campaign, and Partnership for Prosperity Business Plan for the Sacramento Region.

Sharp and the CSER team in recent years also have partnered with EPS on several market analysis, financial feasibility, regional economics, and strategic planning projects, including for Solano County, the City of Dublin, and the City of Elk Grove.

“Ryan adds powerful economic development and industry analysis capabilities to our urban economics services, and he’ll play an important role in serving our public-sector and private-sector clients throughout the U.S.,” said David Zehnder, EPS managing principal.

“I’ve always been impressed with the wide range of high-quality work that EPS has done for so many clients and am excited about applying my skills and experience to a variety of new initiatives,” said Sharp. “EPS offers a platform to practice economic development consulting that’s integrated with land use market and policy analysis, fiscal considerations and infrastructure investment.”

Sharp holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of California, Davis, a master’s degree in International Affairs from California State University, Sacramento, and the designation of Certified Economic Developer from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). He is the current Chair of the IEDC Education and Certification Advisory Committee and a member of the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) Advisory Board.

About EPS

Established in 1983, Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. (EPS) is a land economics consulting firm experienced in the full spectrum of services related to real estate development, regional economic development, financing of public infrastructure and services, land use planning, and government organization. EPS has been a supporter of regional economic development efforts in the Sacramento area for many years and is a member of SACTO and the Sacramento Metro Chamber. The firm in recent years has worked on the Sacramento Civic Amenities Strategic Plan and currently is advising on the Sacramento MedZone initiative to help position the UC Davis Medical Center as an economic development catalyst for Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood.