L.A. Economist Jack Kyser Dies
Jack Kyser, head of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp, was 76 years old.
Top L.A. Economist Jack Kyser
Kyser had a long career focusing on the workings of the Southern California economy and spoke with authority on a wide range of topics.
He was best known as a representative of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.
Bill Allen, President of the LACEDC released this statement: We at the LAEDC are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved colleague and true friend, Jack Kyser. Jack was a tireless champion of Los Angeles County. He loved the Countys varied communities, its diverse people and the boundless opportunities available here. He was affectionately dubbed the Guru, the Godfather, and the voice of the Los Angeles economy for his great depth of knowledge, insight and uncommon ability to articulate complex economic concepts and issues in simple and understandable terms. Jack joined the LAEDC in 1991 and built its economic research practice from scratch, and in 2007, the LAEDC renamed its economics department the Kyser Center for Economic Research in honor of Jacks many contributions to the L.A. County community. And we at the LAEDC are absolutely committed to carrying on his legacy at the Kyser Center. We were indeed fortunate to have had such a dedicated and decent friend and colleague in Jack. He will be deeply missed by everyone at the LAEDC family.
Kyser was born in Huntington Park and raised in Downey and Vernon.
He earned a bachelors degree and a masters of business administration from USC.
With the exception of a forecasting stint in Omaha for Union Pacific Railroad, Kyser spent his career focusing on the workings of the Southern California economy.
He worked for United California Bank and spent eight years as an economist with the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
Kyser joined the LAEDC in 1991, when it had no economics research department. Today, the department has five full-time staff members.
The LAEDC named its research center after Kyser, whom it started calling a "founding economist," in 2008.
A cause of death has not been given.
Kyser, who was single, lived in Downey. Survivors include a cousin, James Baeza. As of late Monday afternoon, funeral arrangements were pending.