FTR receives honors from the Chicago Federal Reserve at the 2023 Economic Outlook Summit

The Chicago Federal Reserve recognized two from FTR with forecasting honors during their 37^th Annual Economic Outlook Symposium held December 1, 2023. The symposium focused on the forces shaping the U.S. economy looking forward to 2024.

Jonathan Starks, CEO won forecasting honors for GDP, current dollars and Bill Witte, a key provider of economic forecasts for FTR won forecasting honors for Treasury constant maturity one-year rate.

Starks joined FTR in 2001 and was named CEO in January 2023. During his career with FTR, he has developed and expanded FTR’s Freight•cast™ transportation model and subscription services product line. Prior to his ascension to the CEO role, Starks held the position of chief intelligence officer at the firm.

Witte has been providing economic forecasts for FTR for more than two decades. Witte is retired from the Department of Economics at Indiana University. In addition to the work he does for FTR, Witte does economic research and continues to produce regular forecasts for the U.S. economy. He was also recognized by the Chicago Federal Reserve in 2021 as the winner in the overall forecast competition and for his business fixed investment forecast.

“Jonathan and Bill have played key roles in FTR’s success,” noted Eric Starks, chairman of the board. “We recognize how important their voices are to our forecasting models, which allow FTR to deliver information to our clients that they can rely on to build their business plans annually. This latest recognition from the Chicago Fed further supports the belief we have in their judgment.