Ed McLenaghan

There’s a stereotype that economists and data analysts like numbers more than people. However, OSBM’s head of Demographic and Economic Analysis (DEA) Section, Ed McLenaghan, will tell you his team’s work is really all about people.

Ed didn’t start out planning to work in economics or public policy. He was a history major at UNC-Chapel Hill, with a minor in physics. After graduation, he realized that economics and public policy combined two of his passions: understanding human societies and analyzing data. That led him to pursue a master’s degree in public policy at Duke’s Sanford School.

What sealed the deal for Ed’s path in public service was a post-graduate internship at OSBM. 

“I had a gap between an overseas summer program and my start date for volunteering in the Peace Corps. A friend who’d interned at OSBM suggested I apply for a temporary position,” explained Ed. “Fortunately, OSBM needed some temporary analytical help with regulatory impact analyses. Less fortunately, the emerging financial crisis and subsequent collapse of state revenue collections—this was 2008—meant I also spent much of my time developing tax policy options to help close the growing gap between projected state revenues and expenditures.” 

That experience sparked Ed’s interest in state tax policy. It also taught him that great public service often means stepping outside your job description to meet the needs of the moment with whatever skills and knowledge you have—or can quickly develop.

Ed rejoined OSBM as an Economic Analyst in 2012. He took over leadership of DEA in 2023, leading a team of economic analysts, the state demographer, and the state Census liaison. It’s a highly technical team motivated by the people side of the data they work with. For Ed and his team, it’s not just about numbers, it’s about the people behind them.

Their work helps shape policies that directly impact North Carolina families and communities.

“Our team has developed numerous policy proposals to support North Carolina families and small businesses that have been enacted into law. We have published population estimates and projections that help policymakers and businesses better understand their communities and plan for population growth or demographic changes. We have influenced the methods the Census Bureau uses to account for deployed military servicemembers in state populations,” says Ed. “Although not every project or task we undertake will directly affect North Carolinians’ lives, it’s important to celebrate the times when that happens while also emphasizing our work often lays the foundation for later work that will have a direct impact on people’s lives.”

Advice Ed would give someone interested in a career in economics or policy analysis:

There are different ways you can take a career in economics or analysis. Reach out to professionals whose work aligns with your interests, even if it’s not a perfect match. Ask for informational interviews to learn more about their work. One conversation often leads to more, opening doors to new ideas and opportunities. Look for internships. Even volunteering with civic organizations or local government boards and commissions on analytical work can provide insight into the opportunities out there, along with practical experience.