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David Drozd, Research Coordinator

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I have worked with CPAR for 17 years and am a specialist in data compiling and analysis. I give numerous presentations each year so that stakeholders and decision-makers better understand how Nebraska is unique and its changing demographics. I work with the U.S. Census Bureau and its data extensively, being widely quoted in the media. I am a native Nebraskan growing up near Columbus and understand the complexities, challenges, and opportunities for both the rural and urban parts of the state.

Education and Credentials

M.S. Agricultural Economics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2002)

B.S. Agricultural Economics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1999)

Awards

Kudos Award, University of Nebraska Board of Regents, January 2017

Outstanding Community Leader for Education, Phi Delta Kappa International, May 2016

Gustafson Award, U.S. Census Bureau, April 2016

Employee of the Month, University of Nebraska at Omaha, September 2011

 Chart for David Drozd

Recent grant and contract projects

United Way Omaha Metro Profile and Socio-Economic Trends, 2021
Aksarben Foundation Talent Pipeline, 2020-2021
Norris School District Population Projections, 2020
Lancaster County Population and Household Projections, 2019-2020
Aksarben Foundation Critical Demographic Factors, 2019

How do you stay on top of the latest trends in your field?
One thing I’ve learned is that the learning never stops. After college, I thought my studying days were over, but there are always things to learn and ways to become more efficient. I rely on webinars led by the Census Bureau and other organizations. They help bring me up to speed on what is new or changing. The Census Bureau often updates their data retrieval platform or other tools and I have to learn the best ways to use these products and the “tips and tricks” from those who designed the system so that I can use it to its full potential, passing that knowledge onto others in Nebraska.
What are your research interests?
My research interests primarily focus on the demographic, socio-economic and housing trends within Nebraska and as compared to other areas, often shown through ranking various characteristics. I have a particular interest in fertility and migration trends, including brain drain (the outmigration of those with higher education and earnings). A favorite topic of mine is the consumer lifecycle, where people take predictable actions at certain ages (marriage, first birth, buy first house, etc.) driving the demand for certain products, especially housing. This ties in with our demographic trends as the size of the pool of people at various ages and stages of their lives drives the economy and the demand for specific products or services. In this way, we can project what will be happening, literally helping to predict the future.
Why Omaha?
My wife and I were married about the time Gallup was moving its headquarters from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Omaha, Nebraska. She was working for Gallup. We bought a house in the Omaha area shortly after being married and moved with the company so that her commute would be shorter. I was hired by CPAR for my first full-time job after college a few months later.
Fun fact most people don’t know about you?
I am the youngest of eight children. My parents were age 45 when I was born. There are 17 years separating my oldest sibling and me. All but one of my siblings live in Nebraska.