We employ the best-trained and most dynamic thinkers we can find. We then invest in their continued education and development, offering them a working environment where they are encouraged to excel and explore their ideas.
Jeremy Aguero is a principal analyst with Applied Analysis and has been with the firm since its inception in 1997. His areas of expertise include economic analysis, operational model development and fiscal impact analysis.
Jeremy attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he graduated with honors in 1997. During his last year of undergraduate course work, Jeremy took a position as an intern/analyst with Coopers and Lybrand, LLC's (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) Financial Advisory Services group. After spending eighteen months with Coopers, he left and began his tenure with Applied Analysis.
Jeremy's project history demonstrates a wide range of abilities. He has worked for clients in the private and public sectors, and undertaken projects of local, regional and national significance.
Brian Gordon is a principal with Applied Analysis. His areas of expertise include economic analysis, market analysis, financial advisory services, business consulting, hospitality consulting and econometric modeling. Gordon attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he graduated with honors, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting. He is also a certified public accountant (CPA) and a holder of the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) credential by the American Institute of CPAs.
Gordon has performed numerous highest and best use analyses, market feasibility studies and market analyses for various developers and commercial real estate firms. He is the principal author of the Las Vegas Quarterly Market Reports covering the office, industrial, retail, apartment and vacant land markets. Gordon also heads up SalesTraq, the firm's residential research firm. He also provides consultative services in a wide range of industries in both the private and public sectors. Gordon is actively involved in the community and participates in a number of trade associations and non-profit organizations. Gordon is also a governor-appointed member of the Nevada Economic Forum.
Alyson Bettelman provides technical assistance, guidance and oversight for the firm's litigation support services and dispute analysis group. Rejoining the firm in 2022, Bettelman was previously part of the Applied Analysis team from 2008 to 2015, where she rose to a director role. She subsequently joined MGM Resorts as a Senior Executive Associate to the Office of the President. While at MGM, Bettelman conducted research and analysis related to new developments, entertainment and events, and construction/design processes. Prior to initially joining the firm, Bettelman worked for PwC's dispute analysis and external audit groups for nearly five years. Bettelman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business and has been a Certified Public Accountant and Accredited in Business Valuation.
Jon Birds is the director of operations at Applied Analysis. Jon is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he earned a bachelor's and master's degree in Criminal Justice. During his time with the firm, he has worked on a variety of projects including economic impact analyses, market analyses and fiscal and economic models. Additionally, he has assisted with a number of litigation support projects and served in a support staff capacity for public bodies. He has also developed several reports on a wide range of special topics to serve the needs of clients. Jon's areas of expertise include data science and visualization, analyzing geospatial data, report writing and generating presentations.
Brian Haynes is a senior manager at Applied Analysis. His areas of expertise include research, analysis, econometric modeling and writing projects that capitalize on the breadth of skills developed at Applied Analysis and during his career as a news reporter and data journalist.
Haynes joined the firm in 2015 after 16 years as a journalist for newspapers across the country, including 11 years at the Las Vegas Review-Journal. During his time as a journalist, Haynes developed deep knowledge about the criminal justice system and local government while reporting on and writing about significant news events. Along with his refined writing and editing skills, Haynes has extensive experience in data handling and analysis using Excel, Access, SQL and GIS mapping tools.
During his time at Applied Analysis, Haynes has handled projects across a wide variety of subject areas for both public- and private-sector clients, including staffing responsibilities for the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, market analyses and site evaluations for gaming and health care companies, and revenue analyses and financial modeling for various public agencies in Nevada.
Melanie Swick is a senior manager at Applied Analysis who has been with the firm since early 2015. She began her career at Applied Analysis as an intern, and she was quickly promoted to an analyst position where she continued to expand her knowledge and develop her research and analytical skillset. Swick's work experience includes a broad range of activities, including economic analysis, primary research, gaming-related research, real estate analysis, public policy analysis, database maintenance, website management and dispute analysis. Prior to Applied Analysis, Swick earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she was also on the dean's list throughout her college career.
Swick has a broad range of services and areas of expertise that include the tracking and compilation of data, the preparation of various analyses, conducting focus groups and surveys, acting as lead analyst on committee meetings and a number of other assignments. Swick is also the lead analyst of the firm's commercial market reporting for the office, retail and industrial market activity. She also works on the firm's sister companies, Discovery Nevada, MyResearcher and SalesTraq.
Rebeca Ibarra, a project manager at Applied Analysis, has worked with the firm since 2020. Her work experience spans a broad range of activities for multiple industries and includes economic and fiscal research and analysis, litigation support, economic modeling, website management and writing and administering surveys. Ibarra specializes in running economic impact analyses using IMPLAN and preparing analyses for clients based on identified needs or project goals. She has also assisted in research and analysis associated with proposed economic and tax implications during legislative sessions. Before joining Applied Analysis, Ibarra earned her Master's in Business Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she also completed a bachelor's and master's program in biology and biochemistry, respectively.
Ashley Herrera is a project manager at Applied Analysis. Her areas of expertise include market analysis related to real estate development, while acting as lead researcher on projects. Recently, Herrera has been the primary researcher and project manager for the Las Vegas Perspective, a comprehensive annual publication covering various segments of the southern Nevada market. Herrera is also an active member and co-creator of an investment group for women. Herrera has had columns published in the In Business Las Vegas.
Michael Scott Davidson is a senior analyst at Applied Analysis. He joined the firm in early 2024, after working as a journalist in Southern Nevada since 2016. He most recently served as data editor at the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper.
Michael's research has served as the backbone for award-winning news coverage on topics including affordable housing, COVID-19 and traffic safety. He has experience analyzing data in Excel, QGIS and the R programming language.
Michael is a graduate of the University of Florida, where he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism. He is currently working toward a master's degree in data analytics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Cecelia DiMino is a senior analyst at Applied Analysis. She joined the company in August 2023. Cecelia is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied Computational Linguistics. She was the Principal Investigator of an IRB-reviewed research protocol which brought her to rural Peruvian Amazonia to assist a critically endangered language, Iquito. She was also the winner of multiple social innovation competitions and part of the 2017 Clinton Global Initiative University Cohort, a year-round program that helps develop the next generation of leaders and social entrepreneurs. She also attends UNLV's William S. Boyd Law School part-time in the evenings where her focus is economic development. Cecelia's areas of interest include Excel, qualitative and quantitative analysis, using geospatial data to tell a story, report writing and creating presentations.
Justin Hacker is a senior analyst at Applied Analysis. Hacker earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in management with concentrated studies in economic and statistics from the University of Missouri, Columbia. His work experience and research areas include market analyses, gaming-related research, recurring real estate analysis, survey research and economic presentations. He is also responsible for covering the retail and industrial commercial markets, generating recurring economic reports, managing the MyResearcher data portal and updating the company's active database of ongoing construction projects throughout the Las Vegas Valley. He is experienced in the use of Microsoft Office products as well as statistical and research packages such as QGIS, IMPLAN, R, SPSS and SAS.
Sandra Smith, a senior analyst at Applied Analysis, joined the firm in 2022. Following her graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Idaho, Smith went on to earn her MBA with concentrations in Healthcare Administration and New Venture Management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During her undergraduate studies she worked with a team of students on economic impact reports for entities in varied industries throughout Idaho. During her graduate studies she worked with colleagues to build two potential start-ups to the pre-seed and seed-funding stages. Her background experience includes literature review, economic impact analysis, process improvement, and market analysis. Prior to joining Applied Analysis she worked at a boutique property management company, which provided active experience in real estate and process improvement. Since joining Applied Analysis, Smith has continued to grow her skill set to include more data analytics and research skills in addition to learning geospatial analysis.
Christian Breton is an analyst at Applied Analysis and brings valuable skills and fresh perspectives to the team since joining in early-2024. A recent graduate from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he earned a degree in Management Information Systems. During his time at university, Christian gained hands-on experience through an internship, where he focused on maintaining data repositories and developing SQL-based databases. Proficient in Python, SQL, and IBM SPSS Modeler, he possesses a versatile toolkit for data analysis. Eager to contribute, Christian is committed to leveraging technology and data-driven insights for strategic solutions. His background in Management Information Systems equips him to make a significant impact on the firm's mission and Nevada's economic landscape.
Logan Gallaway is an analyst with Applied Analysis. His specializations include wide-ranging economic analysis, market analysis, spatial analysis, data analysis and report generation. Gallaway graduated summa cum laude from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a minor in Philosophy. He is well versed in Microsoft Office, QGIS and R studio.
Prior to working at Applied Analysis, Gallaway obtained broad experience through a series of internships, ranging from assisting engineers retrofit a coal powerplant in Kentucky to working in a boutique investment and advisory firm in China. Since joining Applied Analysis, Gallaway's work has primarily focused upon urban economics, education economics, macroeconomics, local tax policy and market research, particularly relating to real estate. He has completed work for local municipal and county-level entities, regional banking institutions and nationally-recognized property developers and EMS service providers.
Jacqueline Gold is an Analyst at Applied Analysis. She joined the company in July 2023 after graduating from Texas A&M University. At Texas A&M, she majored in International Studies with a focus on Commerce and minored in Economics and History. During her time at university, Jacqueline interned in Madrid, Spain, working as an Investor Relations intern for a micro-finance firm serving female entrepreneurs in Latin America. Her experience in Madrid inspired her capstone thesis, which explored the potential role of micro-finance in Mexico’s current macroeconomic environment. Jacqueline also served as a teaching assistant for Principles of Macroeconomics and Economic Development at Texas A&M. Jacqueline is excited to be part of the Applied Analysis team, where she can contribute to Nevada’s vibrant and growing economy.
Issac Hernandez is an analyst at Applied Analysis. He joined the firm in 2023. Hernandez graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics. During his time as an undergraduate, he had the privilege of serving as the Student Body President and held positions in the UNLV Economics Club. Prior to joining Applied Analysis, Hernandez obtained considerable experience through work as a Policy Researcher at Brookings Mountain West and the Lincy Institute in Las Vegas ranging from legislative tracking to publishing on significant topics such as Economic Development and Workforce, Elections and Governance, and Health. He researched projects on Rainy Day Funds, Payday Loans, Household Food Security and Bipartisanship in the Mountain West. Hernandez’s research experience includes public policy, market, and comparative analysis. Since joining Applied Analysis, Hernandez continues to utilize his skills in data analytics and research to provide meaningful data-driven insights for the betterment of our community.
Jack Magee is an analyst at Applied Analysis. He joined the firm in 2023 after completing a Master of Arts in Economics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. As a graduate student he worked as a research assistant for the Center of Business and Economic Research, conducting research on a variety of topics including local economic trends, urban development, and renewable energy. His interests include economic research and analysis, statistical modeling, and data analytics. A life-long Las Vegas resident, Jack is enthusiastic about contributing to the Nevada community.
Ben Saham is an analyst at Applied Analysis. He joined the firm in 2022. A product of the Nevada System of Higher Education, Saham earned his associate's degree in Business at the College of Southern Nevada, then went on to earn his bachelor's in Political Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During his undergraduate studies, he interned abroad in the country of Israel working as a government employee for the Ministry of Environmental Protection. There, he researched projects such as the feasibility of energy from waste plants to create more sustainable energy sources for the country as a whole. Saham's research experience includes market, public policy and tax analysis as well as survey writing and administration. Prior to joining Applied Analysis, Saham also interned for a United States Senator.
As someone who was born and raised in Las Vegas, Saham looks forward to serving and bettering the Las Vegas community in an impactful, quantifiable way as Applied Analysis has done for over 25 years.
Rachel Semmler is the creative director for Applied Analysis, where she is responsible for day-to-day operations of the graphic and web design studio. She provides print design, display advertising, brochure development, publication layout and design, website design and multimedia development.
Prior to joining Applied Analysis, Rachel served as graphic designer for Robert Half Technologies in Las Vegas, where she designed and produced collateral materials, special events materials and displays for PBS&J, an engineering firm. Before relocating to Las Vegas, Rachel worked for a medical publication company in the New York City area and a design firm in Manhattan that specialized in wayfinding systems. Ms. Semmler earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design with an Art History minor from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y.
James Whittaker is a database analyst at Applied Analysis with expertise in the design, development and maintenance of complex Access and SQL databases. In addition, Whittaker is responsible for data collection, integration and analysis within the firm's various research divisions. He has over 20 years of experience utilizing his IT and computer skills, having worked in various administrative and freelance capacities for firms across the nation. Whittaker holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from Roosevelt University and has completed numerous technology training programs and certification courses throughout his career.
Debbie Poser is an executive assistant with Applied Analysis where her responsibilities include providing support to the firm's principals, maintaining the executive calendars, coordinating meetings, making travel arrangements, assisting with billing administration, and offering excellent customer service to each of our valuable clients.
Prior to joining Applied Analysis, Ms. Poser was employed as an administrative assistant for CTX Mortgage Company - a division of Centex Homes, where she provided support to three senior executives in a high volume mortgage lending office. Ms. Poser earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
In addition to the key team members identified here, Applied Analysis has a number of other professionals and contractors.