Who or what inspired you to enter public service? While attending the University of Redlands, I enjoyed a semester in their Washington Semester program learning firsthand about the workings of the Federal government. I worked the summer in a Congressman’s office, as well. That time hooked me on working in the public sector where responsibility didn’t wait for 30 years. Just before graduation from the Maxwell School at Syracuse two years later, my lead professor offered me a full expense-paid scholarship for a doctorate but said “ I know your feet are up on your desk at the Bureau of the Budget but I thought I’d try.” I left for D.C. shortly after.

What is your favorite class you have ever taught or took and why? I took piano lessons from two wonderful teachers in California: Tanya Ury and Louanne Fuchs at Redlands. I was going working on a joint degree in government piano performance. These teachers had vision and technical abilities that were incredible and they both taught me a great deal about music broadly and piano performance specifically.

What advice would you give those interested in public policy or administration? I would focus first on understanding administration and how things can actually work or not work. At Office of Management and Budget I was, at one time, in the environment branch - and we reviewed most major regulations of that agency. We worked with all agencies affected by a particular rule to see how it might work or might have some issues. That understanding of how administration can function will help them craft policies that have a chance of working as intended. Second, I would be sure to find mentors – either direct mentors that help you day-to-day – or mentors that are there when you need them. And of course, to mentor others as you move up in the bureaucracy.

What areas of public policy interests you the most and why? I think I am more interested in the inner workings of the bureaucracy. I was fortunate to move myself around in my 25 years in the federal government and another 20 years in private sector consulting and nonprofit management. I started in defense at OMB, then higher education, then environment, then Internal Revenue Service. I believe I was one of the few SES executives at the time who actually lived the statutory intent of the Senior Executive Service to have executives who could move from agency to agency and be good leaders.

What is your favorite cuisine? My wife, Kathy’s.

What is your favorite hobby? I was a piano major as well as a government major in college. I gave up my dream of being a concert pianist but I still play nearly every day. When I became a partner in an accounting/consulting firm instead of purchasing a new car I purchased a new piano. Glad I did. It’s now worth double what I paid for it. In retirement I started to weave and found two great teachers who have guided me. I am now in my 14^th year of weaving and own 15 looms and assorted equipment. I have a very understanding wife. She is a quilter so we both understand what a real fiber stash is!

Who has been an influential mentor? I have had many mentors in my career which made my successes, whatever they were, possible. Howard Messner whom I met at EPA, was a primary one. His vast experience in different bureaucracies allowed him to share a lot of learnings. Sully Sullivan, my first supervisor at the Bureau of the Budget, was the first black employee at BOB and guided me through one of the best and brightest agencies. Stan Hawthorne, Carolyn Smith, Joe Kehoe, Chuck Prow & Ian Littman at Coopers & Lybrand helped me navigate through the new world of big six accounting firms. I think of these leaders often to do this day and use the lessons they taught me often. These were mentors that were what I might call “direct” mentors, ones that often had day impact on me. Other mentors were there when I needed help and there were many of those. Both groups helped open doors and warned me when I might be going over the edge! Perhaps most important is that I learned about the importance of mentors for me, I spent a lot of good time mentoring others. It’s probably what I’m most proud during my entire career is that I returned the favor to many many others. I hope they appreciated my attempts at help as they helped me as much as I hoped I helped them.

What was your dream job as a child? I wanted to be a lawyer in the mold of Perry Mason which I watched all the time. I also wanted to become a concert pianist touring the world. I didn’t fully realize either but claim close on one. That’s what dreams are about.