At the 2026 LA Times Festival of Books, held April 18–19 at the University of Southern California campus, VIP Author Shaun Sterling presented his visionary framework for economic growth during a featured book signing and author interview at the MainSpring Books exhibit. Sterling's book, Nexus Companies and a Reimagined US Economy, introduces the concept of 'Nexus Companies'—organizations designed to serve as economic connection points linking workers, businesses, governments, and emerging technologies. The work argues that strengthening these connections can improve efficiency, expand opportunity, support workforce development, and foster sustainable economic growth.
Drawing on experience across agriculture, real estate, and business consulting, Sterling explores how innovative business models can address infrastructure investment challenges, workforce skill development, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. Rather than relying solely on traditional approaches, the text examines how public-private collaboration and evolving organizational structures may create new pathways for economic progress. During his interview, Sterling discussed the importance of improving connections between economic stakeholders and highlighted opportunities to strengthen infrastructure without significantly increasing government debt. He also examined the role emerging technologies could play in shaping the next generation of economic systems while creating new opportunities for workers, businesses, and consumers alike.
Festival attendees gained insight into how the proposed Nexus ecosystem seeks to increase economic dynamism while enhancing worker mobility, improving access to training and education, and encouraging innovation across multiple sectors. The book is available on Amazon. An author interview provides further details on Sterling's vision.
