Governing in a World That Won’t Sit Still
I’m a professor of public administration at Cal State Fullerton, where I teach, write, and build partnerships at the intersection of environmental policy, public management, and institutional change. My work focuses on how we govern under pressure—when politics polarize, resources dwindle, and the old rulebooks no longer apply.
Research
I study how institutions adapt—or fail to—in the face of climate disruption, fossil fuel dependency, and emerging technologies. Current projects examine oil and gas oversight, equity in state climate investments, the rise of real-time policing tech, and the uneasy fit between blockchain systems and democratic accountability. I also co-lead applied research with students, local agencies, and fellow travelers in public service.
Teaching & Public Service
I teach courses in public administration, policy process, and collaborative governance—to undergraduates and graduates, many of whom are working professionals preparing for public leadership. My teaching is rigorous but grounded, always aiming to connect theory with the real challenges people face in cities, counties, and community organizations.
I was born in the South, raised by good people, and now make a life in California. I still find time to hike, fish, argue about democracy, and read The Bitter Southerner . Public service isn’t abstract to me—it’s personal, political, and deeply human work.
Current Work
I’m leading or co-leading projects on:
- Regulatory performance in oil and gas states
- Climate investment implementation and inter-agency coordination
- Administrative resilience under authoritarian threats
- Blockchain, surveillance tech, and the reengineering of public authority