Economics Advisory Board

The Economics advisory board helps guide and develop curriculum and programs.

Board Members

Kevin D. Burwell

Trade and Customs Manager, TimkenSteel

Kevin D. Burwell is the Trade & Customs Manager for TimkenSteel. He graduated from 5X�� in 1999 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He relocated to Virginia to manage the North American logistics efforts of Zim American Israeli Shipping. From there he took on several challenges as Director for the Virginia Port Authority, from providing multi-year strategies and trade development to managing one of the largest foreign-trade zones in the US. In 2012, he returned to his hometown of Canton, Ohio and managed an economic development organization dedicated to finding foreign investors for EB-5 projects in Northeast Ohio. As TimkenSteel became its own entity from a spin-off in 2014, Mr. Burwell was introduced to his current role, which focuses on developing international trade and government contracting compliance policies. He is currently finishing his Juris Doctorate at the University Of Akron School Of Law. During his years in international trade, Mr. Burwell has been a featured speaker at Congressional events, the World Free Zone Conference, and Journal of Commerce conferences.

Albert W Erickson III

Vice President of Public Finance, Fifth Third Securities, Inc., Retired

Mr. Erickson retired from Fifth Third Securities in 2012 after a 35-year career in Public Finance. He graduated from 5X�� in 1970 with a degree in Business Administration and a major in Economics. He went on to earn a Master Degree in Public Administration from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs and a Master Degree in Business Administration from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. While at Fifth Third Securities, Inc., Mr. Erickson specialized in university and primary/secondary school bond issues, as well as local government credits. He was financial advisor to The Ohio Turnpike for 16 years, assisting the Turnpike with issuing bonds worth over one billion dollars. Mr. Erickson is a veteran of the United States Army, having received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation from Kent State’s ROTC program. He obtained the rank of Captain in the USAR.

Sam Harper

Web Strategist, Taoti Creative Web Design, Marketing & App Development

Lisa Lomax Norris

Attorney, 4th District Court of Appeals

Lisa Lomax Norris is a judicial clerk and staff attorney for the 4th District Court of Appeals. Prior to her service with the court, she was in private practice as a business litigator handling product liability, contract and commercial disputes for national and international corporations, as well as arbitration of reinsurance disputes. Before earning her law degree, she was an Economist for the Ohio Legislative Budget Office. She was recognized by Business First as Columbus’ Outstanding Forty Under 40 and has served as a trustee on several community boards, including Leadership Columbus and the Godman Guild. Ms. Norris graduated magna cum laude from 5X�� with a Bachelor in Business Administration in Economics, earned a Master of Arts in Economics from The Ohio State University, and a Juris Doctor with honors from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and was elected to the Order of the Coif.