ANIL PURI
DIRECTOR, THE WOODS CENTER
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
WHY: Forecasts economic and business trends on the local and national levels. Says local business leaders’ outlook has recovered from the initial shock of President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and brewing trade wars from the spring.
IN THE NEWS: His team’s OCBX index of future expectations came in at 68.6% for the third quarter, which started July 1, well above the 52.2% for the previous three months. A reading above 50 indicates OC Business leaders’ belief in future growth in the economy.
NOTABLE: Foresees more optimism for the final three months of this year, starting Oct. 1, based on the quarterly business expectations index OCBX. Puri served as dean of the College of Business and Economics at CSUF from 1998 to 2016.
QUOTABLE: “Hopefully the geopolitical situation will improve.”
