Stratecon Inc. is a strategic planning and economics consulting firm specializing in water. We provide advisory services in the acquisition of water rights throughout the western United States and in the sale and leasing of water rights and water supplies to public and private sector water users, as well as provide proprietary research services, and expert testimony. Stratecon brings together the disciplines of economics, finance, natural resource management and policy to develop innovative solutions to commercial and public water policy issues.
Stratecon also produces Journal of Water and the Hydrowonk Blog:
Journal of Water is a paid subscription journal reporting on the important, path-breaking and innovative developments in water resources in the Colorado River Basin, Texas and elsewhere in the Southwest.
Hydrowonk Blog is an open intellectual marketplace for the water industry… a forum to exchange information and perspectives. Stratecon invites you to join in the conversation at Hydrowonk.com
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Our Team
Rodney T. Smith is President of Stratecon Inc., an economics and strategic planning consulting firm specializing in the economics, finance, law, and politics of water resources. He was also manager of a water rights fund in 2005 for DB Zwirn, lead a water rights and infrastructure project for investors through Southwest Texas Water Resources, L.P. and currently serves as President of Baja Norte Water Resources LLC and an affiliated Mexican entity involving the marketing of desalinated Mexican seawater in the United States. Rod is also Co-Manager of Binational Water Group and is President and Co-Founder of North American Water Exchange.
Rod is involved as an advisor in the acquisition of water rights throughout the western United States and in the sale and leasing of water rights and water supplies to public and private sector water users. He has consulted extensively for public and private sector clients, including high net worth investors, on business and public policy issues concerning water resources. Rod has served as a consultant to a major new water transfer study by the Western Governors’ Association and the Western States Water Council. He frequently shares his insight on the Hydrowonk Blog.
Rod received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Michael has 7+ years of experience in the financial services industry, serving in multiple functions across investment banking, asset management and direct investing at venerated institutions including Goldman, Sachs & Co., Moelis & Company and Soros Fund Management.
In addition to his advisory and investing experience, he founded and operated a NYC-based flavored water company for 2.5 years, served as interim Chief Financial Officer at Sfoglini – a Brooklyn-based artisanal pasta manufacturer – and serves on the advisory board of Braven Brewing Company – a Brooklyn-based craft beer company.
Michael has also served as a beverage and flavor supplier industry consultant to RIMA Senvest Management – a multiple billion dollar NYC-based hedge fund, and advised a portfolio of consumer packaged goods startups.
Michael graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Global Business (International Relations / Finance), receiving Phi Beta Kappa and Magna cum laude honors. In addition, he received a four year full tuition scholarship to the Trojan Debate Team, consistently ranking as a top 20 national policy debater.
Marta Casper provides research support for all aspects of Stratecon’s services. Marta oversees the selection, research and development of content for the Journal of Water, and she dedicates significant time to maintaining and writing for the Hydrowonk Blog.
Marta joined the firm in 2000 as a researcher for Water Strategist, which was published through 2010, initially focusing on providing water market information for the “Transactions Update,” and to accomplish that work, she maintained a network of both public and private sector water professionals. Before joining Stratecon, Marta worked as an adjunct instructor at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California and Citrus College in Glendora, California and provided tutoring services in research methodology to graduate students in the Public Administration and Organizational Management programs at the University of La Verne.
Marta received a Master’s degree in Politics from the Claremont Graduate University and completed additional graduate coursework in research methodology. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of La Verne and has an Associate’s degree in Mathematics from Riverside Community College.