Kyser Appeared in Good Health Days Before Death

The death of Jack Kyser came as a surprise to associates of the long-time economic analyst who had appeared days before at an economic summit. An autopsy is pending for Kyser, 76, who was found dead Dec. 6 in his Downey home. Colleagues became concerned when he failed to show up for work at the Southern California Association of Governments two days in a row. Kyser appeared to be in good health Dec. 2 when he delivered an economic strategy for the six Southern California counties at a SCAG economic summit in downtown Los Angeles, according to Executive Director Hasan Ikhrata. For decades, Kyser was known as the voice of the Los Angeles County economy, becoming the go-to person for regional economic analysis for the media, business and government. Kyser joined SCAG, which is headquartered in Los Angeles, after retiring from his position of chief economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation in June after 19 years with the organization. “We at the LAEDC are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved colleague and true friend, Jack Kyser,” the organization’s president and CEO, Bill Allen, said in a statement. “Jack was a tireless champion of Los Angeles County. He loved the county’s varied communities, its diverse people and the boundless opportunities available here.” The statement by the organization said Kyser was dubbed as the “Guru,” the “Godfather,” and the “voice of the Los Angeles economy.” He was known for his ability to explain complex economic concepts. “He had this ability to communicate (his knowledge) very plainly, very logically and very concisely,” said Daniel Blake, retired director of the San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at California State University, Northridge and retired economics professor. “Many of us can explain in a paragraph or two what’s going on in the economy, but he could do it in a sentence or two, and that is a real talent.” Kyser joined the LAEDC in 1991, building up the organization’s economic research practice in the years to follow. The organization renamed its economic department the Kyser Center for Economic Research in 2007 for his contributions. “He really brought that organization up from essentially a concept to a very effective economic instigator of projects and analysis in Southern California, so it’s a great contribution,” Blake said. Kyser, who was born in Huntington Park, held a bachelor’s degree in industrial design and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California. Before joining the LAEDC, Kyser was chief economist for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. He had also worked for Security Pacific National Bank, First Interstate Bank when it was called United California Bank, and Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, Nebraska, as a transportation economist. In other jobs, he taught economics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and worked as a business reporter and commentator for radio station KVNO-FM in Omaha. Kyser additionally served on the Economic Policy Council of the California Institute, on the economic advisors panel for the California Chamber of Commerce, and on the board of directors for the South Park Economic Development Corporation and for the Building Owners & Management Association of Greater Los Angeles. He was also past president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Business Economists.