Rob Allison, recently retired president of Bank of America for Wichita and the state, will join Wichita State University as interim director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research.

The center, part of the W. Frank Barton School of Business, conducts research on issues related to the area's economy.

Allison, who has been involved with the center as a volunteer, will head CEDBR as it prepares for its 29th annual Wichita Area Economic Outlook Conference on Oct. 8.

Allison will also provide leadership during the search for a permanent replacement for outgoing CEDBR director J