South By North Strategies, Ltd.

The success of South by North Strategies, Ltd. flows from the expertise and talents of its network of skilled researchers, analysts, writers, and designers. All of the firm’s research unfolds under the direction of John Quinterno, the firm’s founder.

John Quinterno, Principal

John Quinterno is a principal with South by North Strategies, Ltd., a research consultancy specializing in economic and social policy. His areas of expertise include labor market analysis, data analysis, workforce development, economic development, social insurance, and postsecondary education.

Known for a clear communication style and ability to translate complex issues into forms easily grasped by public officials and citizens, Quinterno is a respected commentator on policy matters. His writings have appeared in various print, broadcast, and online publications, and he is cited regularly in media stories about economic and social policy.

Quinterno authored the book Running the Numbers: A Practical Guide to Regional Economic and Social Analysis. The book, which has become a required text in numerous graduate-level courses in public policy and regional planning, demystifies data concepts, sources, and methods for civic leaders interested in understanding economic and social issues at the regional level. Running the Numbers equips public administrators, urban planners, nonprofit executives, philanthropists, journalists, and graduate students to wield social and economic information like that compiled by the US Census Bureau, US Bureau of Economic Analysis, and US Bureau of Labor Statistics for the benefit of their communities and regions.

Quinterno possesses an academic background in public affairs and extensive professional experience. Prior to founding South by North Strategies, Ltd., Quinterno worked for the nonprofit North Carolina Budget and Tax Center, where he oversaw the center’s work related to employment, higher education, workforce development, and unemployment insurance.

Earlier in his career, Quinterno worked at the University of North Carolina Program on Public Life, a research center, and The HOPE Program, a job training organization in Brooklyn, New York.

In 2015, Quinterno joined the faculty of the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University, where he currently is a Visiting Professor of the Practice. In that role, he teaches courses in regional economic and social analysis and data comunication to students in the master of public policy program. He also has been an adjunct instructor in the public administration program of the School of Government of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Over the years, Quinterno has served on numerous public and non-governmental committees related to the public workforce system. He was a director of the International Affairs Council of North Carolina, and he previously served on the steering committee of the Triangle Gives Back Initiative of the Triangle Community Foundation, on the board of the Emerging Tar Heel Leaders Network, and on the Leadership Council of the National Skills Coalition.

In 2010, Quinterno was selected as a Marshall Memorial Fellow by the German Marshall Fund of the United States. In 2013, he was named to the roster of the Fulbright Specialist Program.

Quinterno earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Originally from Rockville Centre, New York, Quinterno has resided in Chapel Hill, NC since 2000.

Click to read the article “Entrepreneur Diversifies Business by Penning Book,” a profile of John Quinterno and the book Running the Numbers that appeared in The News & Observer.

Click to read the article “Public Policy with a Passion,” a profile of John Quinterno and South by North Strategies, Ltd. that appeared in The Carrboro Citizen.

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