As the North Bay battles back from the recent recession, Sonoma State University’s Dr. Robert Eyler has become a go-to speaker at business conferences and events. His plain spoken presentations have detailed the interconnected relationships between local businesses, involved communities and the larger world.
“I got into teaching because I wanted to help people, and I knew economics was a tough, abstract subject for people to initially grasp,” says Eyler, a professor and Frank Howard Allen Research Scholar of Economics at SSU, where he’s also director of graduate programs for the School of Business and Economics, and director of the Center for Regional Economic Analysis. “I believe there’s always a lot of room for growth and that learning is an evolving process, not a destination. I think I’m a good teacher because I care and want to help. I love when a student understands and has a ‘light bulb moment.’ That’s the juice of teaching for me.”
Eyler also serves as CEO of the Marin Economic Forum and sits on the board of directors at Redwood Credit Union.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up on the West Side of Santa Rosa: Monroe, Comstock, Piner—the classic West Side progression.
What got you interested in economics?
I became interested in economics because it was the nexus of accounting, physics and history. Those were the three subjects I wanted to pursue in college, and my first economics professor convinced me that economics was my fate. It also comes somewhat naturally to me, which helps me tutor and teach others.
Do you have a big family?
I do, and a lot of them still reside in the North Bay. On my dad’s side, I have 43 cousins in my generation (my dad had 11 siblings). On my mom’s side, I’m related by blood or marriage to most of western Sonoma County and northwestern Marin County. I’ve also been married for seven years.
What do you love to do outside of work?
Spending time with my daughter. I’ve become a key source of knowledge on local parks and play structures, as well as Montessori school curriculum.
What’s your favorite song right now?
“Never Going Back Again” by Fleetwood Mac. They just released the 35th anniversary edition of the “Rumors” album.
Do you believe in destiny?
I believe you forge your own destiny and that good deeds pay forward. I definitely believe in karma and that there’s a synergy between how your life progresses and doing good deeds.
What about your personality makes you a good economist?
I’ve convinced myself that all people are self-motivated, which is a core concept in economics. Once you cross that threshold, nothing shocks you, and it helps explain behaviors that you once thought inexplicable. It helps me explain human phenomena as basic, primal thinking.
What lesson did you have to learn the hard way?
Trust. People write a lot of checks with their mouths that their rear ends aren’t ready or able to cash.
What’s something valuable that you accidentally broke?
I once broke a sewer pipe by assuming that plumbing was easy. That turned into an expensive lesson.
What’s your favorite milkshake flavor?
Chocolate. No substitutes!
What’s your greatest extravagance?
I love to travel and have been fortunate to be on every continent other than Africa, which is next on my bucket list. I used to travel at a lower level of service and accommodation (much to the chagrin of my travel mates in the past), but now I tend to stay at better places.
Which living person do you most admire?
I have an uncle and a father-in-law who both show an amazing work ethic in completely different contexts and from completely different backgrounds. My grandfather, who recently passed away, would have been the third. All have taught me a lot about the value of family, work ethic and good decision-making.
If you could go back in time to visit any era, what date would you choose?
I’ve always been a World War II buff, and I think that time (1933 to 1945), especially in Europe, would be fascinating to visit. In many ways, it was a major turning point in world history from a barbaric view to a more socially conscious one.
If you were given $5,000 to spend in one store in the world, where would you do your shopping?
Bottle Barn: stock up on quality vino.
What cartoon character are you most like and why?
Bugs Bunny: sarcastic, looking for angles, always joking around.
What drives you crazy?
Bad decision-making when good decision-making is possible and available. In other words, defaulting to failure because winning is a tougher road.
