Cheryl Abbot is Regional Economist with the Southwest Information Office of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). As Chief of the Information Unit, she is responsible for regional data analysis, publication of news releases, and public outreach in the five-state region. Through interactions with the press, researchers, business and labor organizations, and the general public, she promotes a better understanding of BLS data and its potential impact on day-to-day life. Ms. Abbot began her BLS career as a Field Economist working in the Atlanta Regional Office in 1980. She has worked in Dallas since 1981, becoming Regional Economist in 2005. She received her B.S. in Economics from Texas A&M University (College Station) in 1980 and her M.S. in Economics from Texas A&M University (Commerce) in 2000.