Yi Liu, MCRP
Principal

A founding principal of The NBM Associates, Yi (Yee) has over 15 years of experience in economic analyses, market research, project management, transportation planning, and community economic development. She is committed to finding practical solutions to helping communities reach their socio-economic development potential.

Yi is a skilled market researcher. She is familiar with various urban markets. She has working knowledge of several metropolitan statistical areas (MSA), including Philadelphia MSA, Wilmington MSA, Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA, Little Rock-North Little Rock MSA and Memphis MSA. She is experienced at assembling and analyzing existing socio-economic data for a predetermined market area. She is adept at developing methodologies for demographic estimation and projection. She is good at using market research findings to serve overall planning needs and to achieve broader project goals and objectives.

Yi's relevant project experience includes:

• Memphis International Airport Master Plan Update - Land Use and Transportation Study
• A Cost Analysis of Residential Growth in Monticello, Arkansas
• Nursing Workforce Shortage and Diversity Disparity in Northwest Arkansas
• Downtown Memphis Market Study
• A Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan for the Memphis Area
• Market Study and Feasibility Analysis for Cleaborn Homes Revitalization Project

Yi earned her B.A. in Economics from the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) in Beijing in 1991, and earned her Master's degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania in 1999.

Jianguo (Jay) Yuan, Ph.D.
Principal and Senior Adviser

As the senior adviser and a principal of The NBM Associates, Jay has over 20 years of experience in research design, statistical analyses, economic studies and mathematical modeling. Jay is good at identifying real questions behind the observed phenomenon and using scientific approaches to finding true answers for businesses, communities, and investors.

As a seasoned researcher, Dr. Yuan has a strong capability in creative thinking, asking critical questions and coming up with sound strategic solutions. He is good at forming research questions, designing survey instruments, and conducting statistical analyses and synthesizing research results. Dr. Yuan has led a number of research assignments in market feasibility analyses, system deficiency analyses, cost/benefit analyses, community growth impact studies, and diversity analyses. His work has been consistently commented by his clients as " educational and precise at finding solution to community, business, and planning issues."

A representative list of Jay's work includes:

• A Condo Conversion Market Feasibility Analysis
• Davy Crockett Golf Course Redevelopment Market Feasibility Analysis
• Downtown Memphis Residential Market Study Update
• Class C Apartments Market Study
• Locally Owned Small Business (LOSB) Participation in Shelby County Government Purchases: Reality and Economic Implications
• Identification of Locations for Future Interchanges Along the I-40/I-81 Corridor for Economic Access
• Market Study and Feasibility Analysis for Ford Road Apartments Redevelopment Project

Jay earned his B.S. degree from Jiangxi University in 1983 and his M.S. degree from Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1986. Jay earned his Ph.D. in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Florida in 1994. Jay has significant working experience in marketing and direct sales. He advises The NBM Associates for its vision plan and marketing strategy. He supervises the firm's quality control, workforce training, and technology upgrading.