• 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 wanted to be City Manager, and believed the MPA program would be a good foundation for that career objective. The University of Kansas is noted for its local government program and was the one most likely to provide the education I needed to become a city manager.

Any work or internship experience during graduate school?

> City of Grand Rapids, Michigan; 1975-76

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

> Organization Development and Public Administration Theory and History of Local Government were the most useful in providing context as well as an understanding of how organizations work; I found all the MPA courses relevant and useful in providing a well rounded framework for my future career.

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?

> I have always been focused on providing professional management and leadership in local government and am doing just what I want to be doing. Every day is exciting and interesting. My job in Fremont is terrific, with a great team to work with, and I am enjoying it. I would like to still be a City Manager in 5 years. 

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

> As City Manager of Fremont, California, a community of 210,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area, my principal role is to create an organization in which the Council and employees can be successful in carrying out community objectives. I enjoy my work with employees, the Council and community in creating strategic plans, developing community engagement strategies and programs, connecting people with each other to strengthen the community, and in helping people find meaning in what they do. Every day is interesting, with unplanned and challenging problems and opportunities to work on. We have an ambitious work program, with highly competent, customer service oriented employees to carry it out, as part of a team working with the City Council, the community, and many other agencies which have a role in creating a great place to live and work.

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

> Yes, it provided a solid foundation and understanding of local government, context for decision-making, and a sense of progress in democracy

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

> Take a range of courses, including ones on the history of government in our country and in other countries, especially the evolution of ethics, values, excellence, and customer service orientation over the years; take organizational development courses since so much of what we do is helping other people be successful through organization and individual competence; take business classes to understand the business aspects of government pertaining to finance, labor relations, and planning.