Dr. Amir B. Ferreira Neto (Net-o) serves as Director of the Regional Economic Research Institute (RERI) and Associate Professor of Economics at Florida Gulf Coast University's Lutgert College of Business. An award-winning scholar, he received the 2023 Early Career Award from the Mid-Continent Regional Science Association. Dr. Neto is a prolific researcher with over 30 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, and serves as Co-Editor of the Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy and on the editorial board of Reaching Regions. As Principal Investigator, he helped secure a $22.8 million Department of Commerce grant. His work bridges the gap between rigorous economic analysis and real-world application, helping business and community leaders make informed decisions in an evolving economic landscape.