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John M. Virgo, Ph.D.

March 11, 1943 - November 29, 2012

Founder and Executive Vice President

International Atlantic Economic Society,

Founder and Managing Editor, Atlantic Economic Journal,

Founder and Editor-in-Chief, International Advances in Economic Research

John founded the International Atlantic Economic Society in 1973 with the goal of increasing the opportunity for exchange of new ideas among economists in the Atlantic area. As the organization became more international in scope over the years, his ambition of increasing communication among economists across the Atlantic was realized. He devoted his heart and soul to the organization, serving as president from 1973–76, and as executive vice president from 1976 until his untimely death from brain cancer and bacterial meningitis in 2012.

John was also founder (1973) and managing editor of the Atlantic Economic Journal (AEJ) and founder (1995) and editor-in-chief of International Advances in Economic Research (IAER). John’s purpose in founding the AEJ was to further economics on both the theoretical and applied levels, permit new original work to be shared with other economists in the Atlantic area, and complement rather than compete with publications existing at its inception. His intent in founding IAER was to promote global dissemination and communication of scholarly research in all areas of economics and related fields, rather than solely within narrow subspecialty areas, and to promote policy-oriented and empirical research, thereby filling a different niche than the AEJ.

Perhaps less well known to more recent IAES members, John founded a second organization in Paris in 1983 entitled the International Health Economics and Management Institute, serving as chief executive officer until 1987 and on the IAER Board of Directors from 1987–90. The primary goal of the Institute was to improve and expand knowledge in health care economics and management systems. The Institute and its conferences, held in conjunction with the conferences of the International Atlantic Economic Society, brought together hospital administrators, health economists, high level government officials, and business leaders to discuss solutions to the increasing costs of health care and declining government reimbursement.

John was born in Prestbury, England, and emigrated with his parents, John and Muriel, to the U.S. in 1949. He graduated with a B.A. (1967) and M.A. (1969) in economics from California State University at Fullerton and an M.A. (1971) and Ph.D. (1972) in economics from Claremont Graduate University. He wrote over 50 peer-reviewed articles, four books, and several monographs. He served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; U.S. Department of Labor; the states of California, Virginia, and Illinois; and numerous regional groups. Beginning in 1975, John taught for over 30 years at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE), having previously taught at Virginia Commonwealth University from 1972–1974 as well as numerous universities in California from 1970–1972. He was awarded professor emeritus status at SIUE in 2005 and continued teaching for three more years.

On a personal level, John was a gentle and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and son, a fan of the arts and classical music, and enjoyed long walks in the botanical gardens and on the beach. He and I had the rare luxury of working together, collaborating on manuscripts, and traveling together throughout our 32 married years. I continue his life’s work in his honor and per his request.

This AEJ special issue in John’s memory is the first in a two-part series. The November 2013 issue of IAER will also be devoted to his memory. The first half of the current AEJ special issue is comprised of eight original manuscripts, primarily contributed by members of the AEJ Board of Editors in areas of particular interest to John: labor (Richard Cebula, former executive committee member and IAER board member), monetary/international (Mohammed Dore, former IAES president Franz Gehrels, Gail Makinen); health, education, and welfare (Gary Ferrier, Shif Gurmu); cost efficiency in the not-for-profit sector (former IAES president Joseph Hughes); and cultural economics (Milton Marquis).

The second half of the current AEJ issue contains six reflections pieces of various lengths highlighting different time periods in John’s life and aspects of each author’s interactions with John. Eric Solberg, a former classmate of John’s, discusses their undergraduate, graduate, and early postdoctoral years. Ralph (Bill) Pfouts, a member of the Society’s original Board of Directors, former IAES president, AEJ board member emeritus, and John’s mentor, describes the founding of the Society and its journals. David Ault, a colleague of John’s at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and Dean of the School of Business, provides background regarding John’s over 30 year tenure at the university and John’s multiple roles as university professor, Society executive vice president, and editor of two journals focused heavily on furthering the careers of others. Robert Kohn, a colleague of John’s at SIUE, builds on David’s comments and both he and Alan Hochstein, a long-time IAES member, provide separate examples of how John opened doors for them at important stages in their careers. Gary Clayton, former Executive Committee member and IAER board member, describes his collaboration with John to encourage the development of undergraduate students by way of a competition and award program (Best Undergraduate Paper Award) showcasing their work.

I thank the authors who contributed to this issue in John’s memory. I know he would have been honored that each was willing to take time from already busy schedules of teaching, research, and service to participate in this effort.

I close with one of John’s favorite sayings, always on display in his office, and very fitting given his entrepreneurial outlook: “You are never too old to learn…there is always some other reason.” John’s spirit of entrepreneurship, warm smile, and engaging nature will be missed.

Katherine S. Virgo

Executive Vice President

and

Managing Editor