Alfred C. Schmitt, First WEAI President, 1922

The greatest freedom is permitted in open discussion.

Not among the least of the benefits derived from these annual conferences are those of a better and wider acquaintanceship among the delegates, and a broader and more intelligent outlook on life in its varied phases.”

Alfred C. Schmitt, First WEAI President, 1922 Alfred C. Schmitt, First WEAI President

Western Economic Association International In 1922, a group of 21 academics calling themselves the Pacific Association of Collegiate Schools of Business and Departments of Economics gathered in Portland, Oregon, to talk economics.

1922 Portland, OR
Image: Portland, Oregon, 1922, Oregon Historical Society

Ideas were presented, challenges were raised, and camaraderie was formed as the region’s brightest minds shared their collective knowledge. Over the decades, the organization now known as WEAI has fostered the same spirit of collaboration and engagement for all.

Today, WEAI is a non-profit, educational community dedicated to sharing economic research and analysis. We publish two quarterly journals—Economic Inquiry and Contemporary Economic Policy—that are purposefully written for as wide a range of readers as possible. Our conferences are lively forums for members to share their research and encourage discussion in an inclusive and constructive environment.

Approximately 2,000 economists from around the world are members of WEAI. They come from academia, business, government and research to be a part of an organization that champions their diversity of experience and thought.

Executive Board

Janet Currie
Janet Currie
Nancy Rose
Nancy Rose
Maurice Obstfeld
Maurice Obstfeld
John Ameriks
John Ameriks
Dora Costa
Dora Costa
Jason Abrevaya
Jason Abrevaya
Rucker Johnson
Rucker Johnson
Phil Leslie
Phil Leslie
Susann Rohwedder
Susann Rohwedder
Joel Waldfogel
Joel Waldfogel
Wade Martin
Wade Martin
Tim Salmon
Tim Salmon
Brad Humphreys
Brad Humphreys

Past Presidents

  • 2023 Dora Costa
  • 2022 Christina Romer
  • 2021 Alan Auerbach
  • 2020 John Shoven
  • 2019 Daniel McFadden (2000 Nobel)
  • 2018 Orley Ashenfelter
  • 2017 Peter Diamond (2010 Nobel)
  • 2016 David Card (2021 Nobel)
  • 2015 John Pencavel
  • 2014 George Kaufman
  • 2013 Lucian A. Bebchuk
  • 2012 Richard Easterlin
  • 2011 Paul A. David
  • 2010 Ronald W. Jones
  • 2009 Michael D. Intriligator
  • 2008 Paul R. Milgrom (2020 Nobel)
  • 2007 James J. Heckman (2000 Nobel)
  • 2006 Gary D. Libecap
  • 2005 Robert J. Barro
  • 2004 Janet L. Yellen
  • 2003 Clive W. J. Granger (2003 Nobel)
  • 2002 Yoram Barzel
  • 2001 Michael R. Darby
  • 2000 Oliver E. Williamson (2009 Nobel)
  • 1999 Charles R. Plott
  • 1998 Steven N. S. Cheung
  • 1997 Gary Becker (1992 Nobel)
  • 1996 Harold Demsetz
  • 1995 Gordon Tullock
  • 1994 Michael C. Jensen
  • 1993 Jack Hirshleifer
  • 1992 Walter Y. Oi
  • 1991 Vernon L. Smith (2002 Nobel)
  • 1990 Arnold C. Harberger
  • 1989 Moses Abramovitz
  • 1988 Anna J. Schwartz
  • 1987 Robert W. Clower
  • 1986 Allan H. Meltzer
  • 1985 Milton Friedman (1976 Nobel)
  • 1984 James M. Buchanan (1986 Nobel)
  • 1983 Abba P. Lerner (James M. Buchanan, Acting)
  • 1982 M. Bruce Johnson
  • 1981 Kenneth J. Arrow (1972 Nobel)
  • 1980 Donald F. Gordon
  • 1979 Thomas Mayer
  • 1978 Howard R. Bowen
  • 1977 H. Scott Gordon
  • 1976 Douglass C. North (1993 Nobel)
  • 1975 Armen A. Alchian
  • 1974 Karl Brunner
  • 1973 Earl R. Rolph
  • 1972 Thomas R. Saving
  • 1971 William R. Allen
  • 1970 Charles B. Friday
  • 1969 Walter J. Mead
  • 1968 Dean A. Worcester
  • 1967 G. N. Rostvold
  • 1966 Paul Simpson
  • 1965 George Cady
  • 1964 Philip W. Cartwright
  • 1963 Wytze Gorter
  • 1962 William O. Jones
  • 1961 Ralph I. Thayer
  • 1960 J. Fred Weston
  • 1959 Paul L. Kleinsorge
  • 1958 Frank L. Kidner
  • 1957 Floyd A. Bond
  • 1956 Kenneth L. Trefftzs
  • 1955 Gault W. Lynn
  • 1954 Clifford E. Maser
  • 1953 M. M. Stockwell
  • 1952 Oliver P. Wheeler
  • 1951 John A. Guthrie
  • 1950 Dilworth Walker
  • 1949 Glenn E. Hoover
  • 1948 Robert G. Pettengill
  • 1947 William S. Hopkins
  • 1946 John B. Condliffe
  • 1945 James H. Gilbert
  • 1944 James H. Gilbert
  • 1943 James H. Gilbert
  • 1942 Bernard F. Haley (James H. Gilbert, Acting)
  • 1941 Robert D. Calkins
  • 1940 Arthur G. Coons
  • 1939 Richard B. Heflebower
  • 1938 James K. Hall
  • 1937 John B. Canning
  • 1936 Kenneth Duncan
  • 1935 W. L. Wanlass (Glen E. Hoover, Acting)
  • 1934 Reid L. McClung
  • 1933 Clement Akerman
  • 1932 Shirley J. Coon
  • 1931 John A. Bexell (Kenneth Duncan, Acting)
  • 1930 Thomas A. Beal
  • 1929 Howard S. Nobel
  • 1928 Ira B. Cross
  • 1927 Theodore H. Boggs
  • 1926 Edwin C. Robbins
  • 1925 Howard T. Lewis
  • 1924 Rockwell D. Hunt
  • 1923 Eliot Jones
  • 1922 Alfred C. Schmitt