Christopher Thornberg is a founding principal of Beacon Economics and one of California’s leading economic forecasters. An expert in the economic forecasting, regional development, real estate dynamics, and labor markets, he was one of the earliest predictors of the housing market crash and of the economic recession that has followed. In 2008 he became the chief economist for California State Controller John Chiang and was appointed Chair of the Controller’s Council of Economic Advisors. He also serves on the advisory board of Paulson & Co. Inc., one of Wall Street’s most successful hedge funds.

Widely quoted in the media, Dr. Thornberg has appeared on NBC’s The Today Show, ABC’s Nightline, CNN, FOX News Channel, MSNBC, NPR, and is regularly quoted in major national and California dailies including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. Additionally, he serves on the editorial board of Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management’s Graziadio Business Report -- quarterly peer-reviewed publication.

A highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Thornberg regularly presents to leading business, government, and nonprofit organizations. These groups include REOMAC, the California State Association of Counties, and the California and Nevada Credit Union League, among many others. Recently, he testified before the U.S. Congress House Committee on Financial Services on municipal debt issues. Dr. Thornberg has been involved in a number of special studies measuring the effect of important events on the economy, including the NAFTA treaty, the California electricity crisis, port security, California’s water transfer programs, and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Prior to launching Beacon, Dr. Thornberg was an economist with UCLA’s Anderson Forecast where he regularly authored economic outlooks for California, Los Angeles, and the East Bay. He also developed a number of specialized forecasts for various regions and industries. Previously he has taught in the MBA program at UC San Diego’s Rady School of Business, at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand, and has held a faculty position in the economics department at Clemson University.

Originally from upstate New York, Dr. Thornberg holds a Ph.D in Business Economics from The Anderson School at UCLA, and a B.S. in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo.