Robert F. Salvino, research economist and associate professor at Coastal Carolina University, has been named the first associate director of CCU's Grant Center for Real Estate and Economic Development.

Salvino will develop and manage the center's domestic and international programming in cooperation with the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration, organize recruitment and development of student and faculty fellows, lead research and outreach activities, and manage stakeholder relations.

Salvino has been a faculty member in CCU's Department of Finance and Economics since 2007 and the research economist for the University's former Center for Economic and Community Development since 2010. Salvino will continue his work monitoring the economic activity for the region and serving as a liaison between the business, government and academic communities. As associate director for the Grant Center, he will expand monitoring services to include a greater depth of the real estate economy and continue working with members of real estate and related industries in the coastal region of South Carolina to develop a new academic program in commercial and investment real estate for the Wall College of Business.

Prior to his academic career, Salvino worked in Columbus, Ohio, as a geologist for a civil engineering firm and as a large-loss property claims adjuster for Nationwide Insurance. He earned master's and doctoral degrees in economics from Georgia State University and a bachelor's degree in geology from Marshall University.

To help deliver on the mission of the new Grant Center, Salvino has hired Trevor Tarleton as the center's first research assistant. Tarleton earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from CCU and holds an associate degree in applied science in forestry management technology. Tarleton brings a diversified background to his new role, including multiple certifications in forestry and land management techniques. Prior to returning to CCU to pursue his MBA, he was employed with AlphaEMC, where he provided consulting work for large land developers and builders in the coastal region.

Launched in January 2016, the Grant Center for Real Estate and Economic Development serves students and professionals engaged in all facets of real estate and economic development and provides market analysis, study-based scholarships, networking opportunities, internships and technical study tours of international sites.