C.V.
Jacob R. Smith
Department of Economics and Finance · Jones College of Business
Middle Tennessee State University
Email: jacob.rand.smith@gmail.com · Website: jacob-smith-r.github.io
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Economics, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN (Expected May 2027)
M.A. Economics, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN (2025)
B.S. Mathematical Economics & Philosophy, magna cum laude, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden Sydney, VA (2023)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Public Choice Theory, Austrian Economics, Public Interest Regulation, Historical Political Economy
WORKING PAPERS
“The Father of Food and Drug Law as Strategic Regulator: Dr. Harvey Wiley and the Political Economy of the Bottled-In-Bond Act” (job market paper)
“Private Mechanisms for Stopping Diamond-Dybvig Runs: Evidence from U.S. Newspapers, 1889–1929” (with Daniel J. Smith)
“Assuring Consumers of Authenticity, Safety, & Quality in Early American Whiskey Markets” (with Mark Packard, Macy Scheck, and Daniel J. Smith)
“Bootleggers Behind the Baptists: Wine-Industry Influence in Switzerland’s 1908 Absinthe Referendum” (with Nicholas A. Jensen)
WORKS IN PROGRESS
“The End of Prohibition and Alcohol-Firm Stock Prices” (with Patricia Hummel and Corey Pendleton)
“Alms and Ale: A Malthusian Test of Welfare Generosity and Alcohol Consumption in OECD Countries, 1995–2023”
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
“Bottled in Bondage”, Southern Economic Association Annual Meeting. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, November 19-21, 2022
“Distillers and Chemists: Strategic use of the Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897 by both firms and regulators”, Public Choice Society Meetings. Plano, Texas, March 14-16, 2024
“Distillers and Chemists: Strategic use of the Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897 by both firms and regulators”, Southern Economic Association Annual Meeting. Washington, DC, November 23-25, 2024
“The Father of Food and Drug Law as Strategic Regulator: Dr. Harvey Wiley and the Bottled-In-Bond Act”, Public Choice Society Meetings. Louisville, Kentucky, March 6-8, 2025
“Panic Before Protection: Bank Runs, Contagion, and Mitigation Measures in the United States, 1889-1929”, Southern Economic Association Annual Meeting. Tampa, Florida, November 22-24, 2025
“Alms and Ale: A Malthusian Test of Welfare Generosity and Alcohol Consumption”, Southern Economic Association Annual Meeting. Tampa, Florida, November 22-24, 2025
COLLOQUIA & WORKSHOPS ATTENDED
Public Choice Outreach Conference, Center for Study of Public Choice, GMU (2023)
Harwood Graduate Colloquium on Public Choice, American Institute for Economic Research (2024)
Harwood Graduate Colloquium on Defending Classical Liberalism, AIER (2025)
Summer Seminar on Classical Liberalism and Business, AIER, UIC (2025)
Summer Seminar on Classical Liberalism and The Market, AIER, UIS (2025)
Summer Seminar on Classical Liberalism, AIER, Wabash College (2025)
Economic Freedom Research Colloquium, Bridwell Institute, SMU Cox (2025)
Law & Economics with Public Choice Insights Workshop, Stephenson Institute for Classical Liberalism (2025)
The Untold Stories Behind Financial Crises Workshop, INET-YSI-University of Lyon 2 (2025)
“Giving an Effective Job Talk” Graduate Papers Workshop, Institute for Humane Studies (2026)
AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND GRANTS
American Institute for Economic Research Graduate Fellowship (Summer 2026)
Political Economy Research Institute Ph.D. Summer Fellowship, $5,000 (2024, 2025)
Economic Freedom Research Colloquium Honorarium, Bridwell Institute, $3,000 (2025)
Center for the Study of Political Economy Fellowship (2019-2023)
Beta Gamma Sigma, International Business Honor Society (2026)
Pi Mu Epsilon, US Honorary Mathematics Society (2022)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Principles of Microeconomics, Middle Tennessee State University (2025) — Instructor Evaluation Mean: 4.40/5
Selected student comments:
“Professor Smith was a great teacher and would love to see him stick around at MTSU, he provided clear knowledge on each topic that was taught.”
“Great lecturer and always willing and able to help students.”
“When explaining material, he gives examples that stick to the memory of the student.”
“He was organized and formatted the course work efficiently which helped a lot in the workload and getting all the work done in a timely manner.”
Principles of Macroeconomics, Middle Tennessee State University (2026) — Instructor Evaluation Mean: 4.02/5
Selected student comments:
“Professor Smith is very knowledgeable in the material he covers. He cares about his students and wants them to succeed.”
“His course is well organized and easy to follow. He explains the material clearly and provides helpful resources that support student learning.”
“Very easygoing and willing to work around any struggles a student may have. He makes it feel like a real college course.”
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Referee, Virginia Economic Journal (2026)
EXPERIENCE
Defense Logistics Agency – Aviation, Richmond, VA — May 2021 – Current
- Post-Award Contract Specialist (Trainee)
- Received comprehensive cradle-to-grave government contracting training (FAR/DFARS) with hands-on proficiency in information systems including SAP EBS, WAWF, and federal records management
- Collaborated with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and OEM vendors to resolve government contract discrepancies and ensure compliance/technical alignment
Tyger Strategies Consulting Group, Midlothian, VA (Remote) — June 2020 – August 2020
- Business Analyst Intern
- Performed market research and data analysis for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit consulting group
- Developed and presented actionable marketing and strategic recommendations to clients
SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP
H-SC Student Honor Court Investigator, 2022-2023
H-SC Journal of the Sciences Editor, Vol. XVII
Alpha Chi Sigma Beta Chi Chapter Vice Master Alchemist (2022) and Historian (2023)
Atkinson Museum Student Museum Board Member, 2022-2023
Union Philanthropic Literary Society Junior Member, 2021-2023
Undergraduate Philosophical Association of Virginia Member, 2022-2023
Wilson Center’s Leadership in the Public Interest Four-Year Program Member, 2019-2023