How America Can Return Jobs and Prosperity to the Middle Class Mark Orttung, CEO, Nexient Mark Orttung, CEO, Nexient Election Day is fast approaching and the presidential candidates will undoubtedly continue the debate over how to best restore prosperity and economic vitality—building on the now near seven-year recovery from the Great Recession. There is much on the line for voters, many of whom feel that even with notable private sector job growth, a low unemployment rate of five percent and huge stock market gains; the American dream may not be as attainable as it once was. Millions of Americans worry about stagnant wages over the past decade, declining incomes, the availability of high quality jobs and sluggish economic growth.