• How did you select your graduate school and how did it prepare you for your career?
• Work or internship experience during graduate school
• What was the most important or useful course you took in the MPA/MPP?
• Were you a Presidential Management Intern?
• What has been your career path since graduating? What do you want to be doing in 5 years?
• What is the most exciting and/or interesting aspect of your current job?
• Do you feel your MPA/MPP is helping you to “make a difference?” How?
• What advice, if any, would you give to an undergraduate thinking about going for an MPA/MPP?

How did you select your graduate school and how did it prepare you for your career?

> I selected the U Maine MPA program because of the curriculum, faculty, and the opportunity to take a majority of the courses in Augusta in conjunction with my role at the time as Deputy Commissioner of Conservation.

Any work or internship experience during graduate school?

> As Deputy Commissioner for the Dept of Conservation, my responsibilities included overseeing the Dept’s policies, legislative program, the communication and public information functions and coordinating day to day operations.

What was the most important or useful course you took in the MPA/MPP?

> Organizational Development, Environment of Public Administration, and Ethics

Were you a Presidential Management Intern?

> No.

What has been your career path since graduating? What do you want to be doing in 5 years?

> Appointed Director of the Maine Forest Service in 1992; appointed as Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Angus S. King, Jr. in 1995 to the present. Daily responsibilities include working with Commissioners of Education, Human Services, Behavioral and Developmental Services, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Marine Resources on policy, management and operational matters; advising the Governor on state and federal policy issues; and representing the Governor before the Legislature.

What is the most exciting and/or interesting aspect of your current job?

> Developing public policies and programs that are important to the quality of life for Maine people, working with a talented, pragmatic, and visionary Governor, and a creative group of people in the Governor’s Office, Cabinet and the Administration.

Do you feel your MPA/MPP is helping you to “make a difference?” How?

> The program helped in understanding different types of leadership styles, the elements in developing management systems, and strategies to enhance performance within the public sector.

What advice, if any, would you give to an undergraduate thinking about going for an MPA/MPP?

> If you have a passion for public policy, this program gives you the practical understanding of the challenges of working in the public sector and how to achieve results. The program also gives you the opportunity to learn from other in similar roles throughout Maine.