Each year the KEA presents the Kentucky Distinguished Economist award at its annual conference.

The 2024 Kentucky Distinguished Economist Award recipient is Dr. Bruce K. Johnson

Bruce K. Johnson is the James Graham Brown Professor of Economics at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, and was the Marlene and David Grissom Professor in the Social Studies from 2019 to 2022.

He has taught core economics courses including principles, microeconomics, and econometrics as well as many electives including experimental economics, urban economics, and the economics of sports. Johnson’s research primarily focuses on sports economics. He is best known for his influential articles applying non-market valuation techniques to assess the benefits and costs of public funding for teams, stadiums, and the Olympics.

He has won several teaching awards while at Centre, including the Kirk Award for Excellence in Teaching, the David F. Hughes Award for Excellence in Teaching and Service, and the Office of Greek Life Outstanding Faculty Member. While at Centre, he served as Faculty President, board member of the Kentucky Economic Association, member of the nominating committee of the Southern Economic Association, and Vice-President of the North American Association of Sports Economists. He chairs the Consensus Forecasting Group, the non-partisan citizen body charged by state law to produce the official forecast of state tax revenues used to produce the state budget.