Fresh off his part-time job recommending ways to fix the nation's staggering deficit and his full-time job running the UNC system, Erskine Bowles in early January will share his outlook on the 2011 economy.
Bowles is scheduled as a keynote speaker at the annual prognostication and networking forum sponsored by the N.C. Chamber and N.C. Bankers Association on Jan. 3.
His speech will likely touch on his recent work in Washington as co-chairman of President Barack Obama's budget deficit commission. Given that he is retiring as UNC system president on Dec. 31, there might be some discussion of what's next for the self-described workaholic.
Other scheduled speakers at the Economic Forecast Forum include U.S. Sen. Richard Burr and Wells Fargo senior economist Mark Vitner. The main forum and lunch will be held at Noon at the Sheraton Imperial in Durham.
During boom times, the event was a lively, upbeat affair. But the past few have been clouded by the economic gloom. Speaking of downers, there will be a special 10 a.m. session on the state's budget.
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Meanwhile, another annual economic forecast forum, sponsored by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, is set for Jan. 5 at 7 a.m., at the Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh.
Scheduled speakers for that one include Wells Fargo chief economist John Silvia and Matthew Martin, a top Federal Reserve official in Charlotte.
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Assistant Business Editor Alan M. Wolf joined the N&O in 1999 covering the business of health care. He became an editor in 2001, and helps oversee the paper's daily business coverage and Sunday Work&Money section. He lives in Clayton with his wife and two children. Reach him at 919-829-4572 or