June 2002

As of July 1, 2002, Dunbar Brooks (above right) will assume the role of Director of BMC's MetroResearch Division, succeeding Josef Nathanson (above left), who in retirement will continue to serve in a consulting role.

Brooks began his professional career in 1975 as a land use planner with the Regional Planning Council (RPC), a predecessor of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. He was appointed Assistant Director of the Economic Research and Information Systems Division (ERIS) in 2000. ERIS became BMC's MetroResearch Division in 2001.

Brooks has also been an Assistant Professor at the Community College of Baltimore County, Dundalk Campus, since 1983, and served as President of the Baltimore County Board of Education from 1997-1999. He formerly chaired the Trial Court Judicial Nomination Commission for Baltimore County, and is now a member of the Baltimore County Recreations and Parks Board, State Board of Education, and U.S Selective Service Board Local Board 36.

He received a BS in Urban Studies from Morgan State University and a Master in Public Administration degree from the University of Baltimore.

Nathanson was appointed Director of ERIS at the RPC in 1979, and continued to serve in that capacity when BMC was founded in 1992. He also managed the Council's day-to-day operations on an interim basis in the months leading up to the formation of BMC in 1992.

Nathanson's work with BMC and the RPC included management of economic and demographic studies for the Baltimore region, as well as policy studies and strategic planning in economic development, workforce development and related fields. The MetroResearch Division also includes the MetroMapping unit, which is responsible for BMC's highly regarded Geographic Information Systems (GIS) operations.

Among his activities, Nathanson provided lead staff support for long-range land use, transportation and growth management studies, and the direction of various consulting assignments for various public- and private-sector clients. Nathanson also recently directed the transformation of the Building Permits Data System (BPDS), a repository of all building permits issued in the Baltimore region, into a new online subscription service. He is also developing a system of Community Profiles, combining current 2000 census-based data with historic development trends, projections of future growth and relevant land use data.

A graduate of MIT, Nathanson received his Master of City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He has been a lecturer in urban research methods and economic development planning at several Baltimore area universities. His professional affiliations include the International Economic Development Council and the Baltimore Economic Society. He is also a member of Lambda Alpha International, a land economics honorary society, and recently served as president of the Baltimore chapter.

Nathanson will provide BMC consulting services related to the development and marketing of its information resources as well as work on selected economic development projects.

Posted: July 12, 2002