Rutgers Business School real estate professor appointed to the Council of Economic Advisers to the president

Rutgers Business School finance and economics professor Morris Davis has been appointed to the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) as the nation’s chief housing economist.

As the Paul V. Profeta Chair of Real Estate and academic director of the Center for Real Estate, Davis has been educating students, conducting research that has both academic and industry relevance, and exchanging ideas at high impact events and conferences at Rutgers Business School since 2014. In his role at the CEA, Morris will be advising the president on policies that can help lead to lower housing costs and increased housing supply.

“We are ecstatic to have a talent like Professor Davis join us at the White House Council of Economic Advisers,” said CEA Chairman Steve Miran in a statement to Rutgers. “Morris will play a pivotal role as we work to build more homes and make housing affordable again for American families, helping to usher in President Trump’s economic Golden Age.”

As an economist, Davis will provide advice to the president on policies that will allow more housing units to be built and reduce regulations that restrict supply and drive-up costs. “It’s an honor to be asked to serve our country,” said Davis. “My goal is to help the president make housing affordable for everyone.”

With its strategic location in New Jersey, where 20% of the U.S. population live within a four-hour drive of its borders, Rutgers Business School is deeply involved in research projects that have the potential to improve business practices everywhere. “Anything that is good for New Jersey, is good for the United States and the world,” said Davis.

“Morris is a proven leader with innovative ideas that can positively affect real estate productivity and public policy today,” said Lei Lei, dean of Rutgers Business School.

 Established by Congress in 1946, the CEA has approximately 45 members who are charged with providing empirical research to support the president in setting the nation's economic policy. Davis’s appointment runs through December 2025.