Sources at the University of West Florida have told Inweekly that Dr. Rick Harper is no longer an assistant vice president and head of the university’s Office of Economic Development and Engagement. He was on Dr. Judy Bense’s Cabinet.
Harper is returning the classroom.
When he was the director UWF’s Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development, local businesses, non-profits and governments looked to Harper for his economic analysis of various projects. He represented Northwest Florida on Governor Jeb Bush’s Council of Economic Advisors from 2001 – 2006. He was advisor to the Florida Senate when Don Gaetz presided as president.