Dr. Romero's background combines think-tank economics, corporate strategy, and high-level public policy. After working for most of the 1980s as a research economist and defense policy specialist at California's RAND Corporation, in 1990 he was named director of strategic planning for United Technologies Corp.

In 1991 Dr. Romero was tapped by newly-elected Governor Pete Wilson to become California’s chief economist, where he served as troubleshooter on business and economic operations until 1999. He was the author and implementer of key improvements in California’s business climate.

During his tenure in the Governor’s office, he served as acting director of the state Office of Planning and Research, and as Deputy Cabinet Secretary. He was also Executive Director of the California Managed Health Care Improvement Task Force, which designed an overhaul of state regulation of the HMO industry.

Dr. Romero earned a Ph.D. (1988) and M.A. (1985) in Policy Analysis with Distinction from the RAND Graduate School, and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Cornell University (1983). He has published numerous research papers on a range of strategy and policy topics, including business regulation, tax policy, international trade, international economic growth, health reform, the Federal budget, and crisis management.

Dr. Romero has been a Professor of Business Administration at the University of Oregon’s Lundquist College of Business since 1999, where he holds the Miller chair. From 1999-2004 he served as dean.