Executive Master of Public Administration - Faculty

Dr. Ruth Astle is an administrative law judge with the State of California. Dr. Astle received her J.D. and S.J.D. from Golden Gate University's School of Law. Her S.J.D. dissertation was on "Integrity and Ethics in Western Adjudicatory Systems: Toward a Standard with an emphasis on fair practices". Professor Astle has been an administrative law judge since 1985 hearing cases for the California central panel agency. The Office of Administrative Hearings conducts due process hearings for over 100 state and local agencies including the Medical Board, Department of Real Estate, Department of Social Services - Community Care Licensing, the Board of Registered Nursing, Contractors' State License Board and the Public Employees' Board. She has been a member of the Medical Quality Hearing Panel for 10 years. Dr. Astle also teaches as an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University in the Paralegal Program. She is active in Queen's Bench Bar Association, acting as president in 1984. She is married and has two adult children and four grandchildren. She enjoys photography and attending a wide range of live performances from the opera and ballet to local and regional theater.

Dr. Willie L. Britt has been an adjunct professor in the undergraduate and executive master of public administration (EMPA) programs at Golden Gate University since 2007. He has taught a number of different classes, but his specialty is public administration theory, ethnics and practice in public service. Dr. Britt completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing, from Norfolk State University. He has a Masters of Arts, Management and Supervision, from Central Michigan University. Dr. Britt received his Doctorate of Public Administration from Golden Gate University. Dr. Britt has worked in the private sector since 1990. Dr. Britt has served as a Business Manager for a Chiropractic clinic in California since 1992. He has served concurrently since 1998 as a General Manager for Chiropractic clinics in the Republic of the Philippines that have expanded from one to four. He also oversees the sales of sports and orthopedic products in major shopping malls and to other retailers in the Philippines. Dr. Britt worked in the federal government from 1978 until 1990. He worked as an investigator in the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, formerly Health, Education and Welfare. Also, he worked as an investigator in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Dr. Britt worked briefly with the U.S. Treasury Department, Bureau of the Mint. Locally, he worked briefly for the San Francisco Housing Authority. Additionally, Dr. Britt served on active duty and in the U.S. Army Reserves a combined total of 27 years. His military occupational specialties and assignments included: personnel administration, race relations/equal opportunity, Inspector General, Company Commander, Battalion Executive Officer, Observer/Controller for war games simulations, supply management, and marine terminal operations. He received numerous awards and promotions. Dr. Britt retired from the U.S. Army Reserves in July 2002 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Dr. Bill Buhl has been an adjunct professor of public policy analysis and evaluation at Golden Gate University since 1989. He teaches a variety of classes, but his specialty is public policy. Dr. Buhl worked as a senior executive for the US Department of Labor for the last 22 years of his 38-year public career. Dr. Buhl is well known for his work in Total Quality Management (TQM) and was nationally recognized by the Federal Quality Institute for implementation of TQM in the Department of Labor. Dr. Buhl has retired from government service and currently teaches, consults on labor law issues and conducts leadership forums. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in business administration, and earned his master's and doctorate from the University of Southern California, specializing in urban employment studies. His dissertation was written on transformational leadership. He is married and has four adult children. Dr. Buhl is an avid bicylists, golfer and enjoys skiing.

Dr. Scott Chadd has been an adjunct professor in the EMPA program at Golden Gate University since 2006. He has taught at West Point Military Academy, California State University Sacramento, University of California Berkeley, and in the Los Rios Community College District. Dr. Chadd served as an infrastructure manager for local governments from 1979 until he retired in 1999. He received his BA and MA degrees in 1975 and 1976 in Sociology and a Doctor of Public Administration degree from Golden Gate University in 2006. Since retiring Dr. Chadd provides professional consulting to local government with a specialization in organizational change and crisis management within the area of development services. He is the owner/manager/teacher at the Lotus Bonsai Nursery, a slowly improving golfer, grandfather, and happy warrior in the bureaucratic world of local government.

Professor Damon Conklin teaches undergraduate and graduate public policy and administration courses. After 12 years in the private sector managing and operating businesses both domestically and internationally, Professor Conklin has served a total of 10 years in the California State Legislature, 8 years in the Senate and two years in the Assembly, serving in various capacities between Chief of Staff, Communications and Legislative Director and policy analyst. During this time, Professor Conklin has staffed such diverse legislation that has sought to: reform California's Death Penalty; reform California's redistricting process; increase funding to better protect wildlife habitat; increase greater efficiency, effectiveness and accountability for state highway projects; and to better protect children during family court proceedings, just to name a few. In addition, he has worked on several successful legislative and statewide campaigns since 2001. After completing his undergraduate degree in Government at CSU, Sacramento, Professor Conklin earned his EMPA from Golden Gate University in 2005. He has and continues to lecture on the history and framework of the Constitution, redistricting, local and state budgeting, program evaluation, term limits and California politics since 2003. Professor Conklin and his wife live in Sacramento with their two children.

Professor Tiffany Conklin teaches in the judicial administration concentration. She is currently the Legislative Director and General Counsel to State Senator Tom Harman. Professor Conklin is broadly trained in both law and politics as a graduate of the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law where she focused on governmental affairs and served as Editor-in-Chief of the McGeorge Initiative Review for the November 2006 election cycle. During her eight year tenure as consultant to the Vice Chair of both the Assembly and Senate Judiciary Committees, Professor Conklin has worked closely with the Judicial Branch on legislation and rules of court to improve and reform the California Judiciary and the administration of justice.

Dr Curl is an adjunct professor teaching courses in organization development, policy, public enterprise and research. He is a registered professional engineer in California and Virginia. He has worked for over 20 years as a military officer in the US Army Corps of Engineers, as a City Manager in Eureka, and for the last ten years served as a regional vice president for CH2M HILL Engineering and Construction Corporation specializing in marine and port development. He has a BS and MS in Engineering and an MPA and Doctorate in Public Administration for University of Southern California. He research interests include organizational excellence, organizational theory, statistics and research.

Dr. Roger Kemp teaches public finance and budgeting. He went to night schools for 14 years without missing a semester, with many of these years being spent at GGU. After receiving his MPA degree from San Diego State University, he attended GGU's PhD Program in Public Administration while serving in the Office of Budget and Management Services and, later, the Office of the City Manager, in Oakland, CA. He subsequently became city manager of cities located in California, New Jersey, and Connecticut. During his city management career, he has taught graduate seminars in the evenings at leading universities on both coasts, including the University of California, California State University, Rutgers University, and the University of Connecticut. Dr. Kemp also written, edited, and been contributing author to nearly 50 books dealing with cities. Also, when he taught for GGU in Southern California he completed the requirements for, and received, an MBA degree in management. Most recently, Dr. Kemp received the Outstanding Alumni Award for 2007 for "Distinguished Service in the Field of Public Administration" from the School of Public Affairs, San Diego State University. Dr. Kemp is currently a Fellow, The Academy of Political Science (City of New York, New York), and is doing research on a book titled Documents of American Democracy: A Citizens Handbook, which should be published in 2009/10.

Dr. Tim Loney is adjunct professor of personnel management and labor relations. He is currently a member of the personnel management team of the City of Oakland, implementing labor/management partnerships as part of a reinventing government initiative. Dr. Loney has spent several years as an independent consultant. His clients included the chief administrative officer, Alameda County and responsibilities for re-energizing a countywide diversity initiative and strategic planning. He has also consulted with high tech organizations, Bank of America and Pacific Bell on large-scale change initiatives. Dr. Loney has twenty-five years of management experience with the federal government, including six years as the first TQM manager at GSA and one year as the senior employee relations advisor to the US Secretary of Labor. He has served on the editorial boards of several management publications, including Public Administration Review. He is a charter member of the San Francisco Federal Executive Board Quality Council and is former president of a national professional association. He has an MSA in industrial personnel management from George Washington University and an MPA and DPA from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Mick McGee is assistant professor of public policy and administration. He was Senior Learning and Development Specialist for HSBC Card Services in Salinas, California. Dr. McGee earned his Master of Public Administration and Doctor of Public Administration degrees from Golden Gate University. From 2000 to 2003, Dr. McGee was the Deputy Director for Assessments, Center for Executive Education (Center), Graduate School of Business and Public Policy, Naval Postgraduate School. In this capacity, he designed, delivered and evaluated Senior Executive Education courses for the Department of the Navy and other Defense Department services. From 1993 to 2000, he was the Contract Transportation Manager for Monterey-Salinas Transit. He served on various community transportation boards and committees in Monterey County, the State of California, and national associations. Dr. McGee is a strong advocate for community partnerships and has served on the Board of Directors for the Monterey County Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Easter Seals Society of Monterey Bay. He served as Vice Chair for the City of Pacific Grove Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan and Compliance Committees of Pacific Grove and served as a committee member for the Special Education After-School Program for Pacific Grove. He is particularly focused on advancing education, employment and career opportunities for persons with disabilities. He provides seminars on conflict management, effective communications and disability awareness courses.

Dr. Randy Margo is an adjunct professor in the Executive Master's Public Administration Program. He is currently Assistant County Administrator with the County of Yuba, and oversees the County's budget, coordinates countywide initiatives, legislative affairs, departmental operations, and participates in labor negotiations. Dr. Margo has an extensive background in performance auditing and benchmarking with public and private agencies, including a Big 4 Audit and Consulting Firm. He has held public sector positions with the City of Oakland, City and County of San Francisco, City of Novato, and the City of Kansas. In addition, he has been a managing partner of a consulting business to public and private sector clients in developing strategic plans, and economic development strategies. Dr. Margo has been an Executive Director for a Not-for-Profit Agency that served over 300 businesses in a multistate area. He has an A.B. in Political Science from U.C. Berkeley, an M.P.A. from Cal State East Bay, and a Ph.D. from Golden Gate University. He currently serves as a Board Member for several not-for-profit agencies in the Yuba-Sutter area. Dr. Margo's areas of academic interest and expertise include private-public partnerships, performance enhancement of public agencies, public finance and personnel, and planning and economic issues pertaining commercial and residential development.

Dr. Alan R. Roper is adjunct professor public policy research, methods, and analysis at Golden Gate University. He has worked in online distance education for ten years, and has done extensive research on building community in online classrooms, and in adult learning. Dr. Roper has presented papers on online learning, adult learning theories and community in the online classroom at seven international education conferences, and has published articles on online adult education. Before coming to GGU, Dr. Roper ran an education program for a non-profit organization that worked closely with the California Department of Rehabilitation, in developing assessment and training for learners with disabilities. He has also taught music history and English as a second language in the California public school system. In May of 2001, Alan Roper earned his doctorate of education degree from the University of San Francisco, completed his MPA degree at Golden Gate University in 2004, and MSIT in 2007. He currently works as Senior Education Specialist for the Judicial Council of California/Administrative Office of the Courts.

Dr. Sherwood is adjunct professor of finance and budgeting at GGU's Roseville site. He is currently the Director of Client Outreach and Guidance for the California State Teachers Retirement System. In his 32 years of State service, he has been a Special Assistant to the California Attorney General for Training and Development; the Manager of Training Programs for the California Department of Fish and Game; Manager of the California Conservation Corps' Training Institute, and Training Officer for the CALTRANS (the California Department of Transportation). He has also worked for the Departments of Finance, Social Services, Health, and Employment Development. He served as Legislative Assistant to the late Senator Ken Maddy for one year. Dr. Sherwood holds Bachelor and Master's degrees and completed his doctoral studies at the University of Southern California. He also teaches at the University of San Francisco and Dominican University.

Adjunct Professor Spencer Short brings an important understanding of public policy and administration, from both an elected and an appointed public official's perspectives, to Golden Gate University's EMPA Program. Professor Short is a two term Mayor and three term member of the Lincoln, California City Council. He has served as an Assistant to the City Manager for the Town of Loomis, former City Treasurer for the City of Lincoln, and is a past and present member and chairman of several boards and panels throughout the Sacramento Valley participating in civic governance. Professor Short graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a B.A. in Political Science and is a product of Golden Gate University's EMPA Program. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law with a certificate in taxation. Professor Short owns and operates S.D. Short & Associates, a specialized real estate sales and development firm. A member of the California Bar, he is the owner and attorney at the Law Office of Spencer Short in Downtown Lincoln. In his spare time, Professor Short enjoys writing, watching and participating in various sports, and travel.

Since 1991 Prof. Uchida has taught at Golden Gate University's Roseville site, has served as Core Adjunct Professor for the human resource management program and has received a distinguished faculty teaching award. As the Human Resources Manager for Sacramento County, Uchida plans, organizes and directs a comprehensive human resources management program for a department with over 1900 employees. His career includes professional experience in local government since 1974 and he frequently appears before public personnel boards on a variety of matters relating to human resource management. His professional memberships include American Society of Public Administration, International Personnel Management Association and Sacramento Human Resources Management Association.

Dr. Francis (Frank) Yanak is adjunct professor of public policy, administration, and the law at Golden Gate University. He also has taught graduate courses in public administration at San Francisco State University. Dr. Yanak's principal career of thirty-three years was with the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from which he retired as director of the San Francisco Region (Senior Executive Service). With OPM he had a number of headquarters and field assignments including project manager of the government-wide EEO Program, and as a regional director lead a task force that developed the reorganization policy for the field structure of the agency. Dr. Yanak was a program manager for the Bank of America, and served as a senior management consultant with the United Nations in Indonesia and the Peoples Republic of China. Dr. Yanak's experience is principally in human resources and organizational behavior, which includes an avid interest in "learning organizations." He received his undergraduate degree from Seattle University in business administration, and master's and doctorate degrees in public administration from the University of Southern California. Dr. Yanak's dissertation was a case study of the implementation of the "China Lake" human resources demonstration project conducted at two research laboratories by the US Navy. He served overseas in the US Army and is married with nine adult children. He enjoys life: his wife, grand and great-grand kids, worldwide travel and the outdoors.

Dr. Aihua Zelinsky has been an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University since 2007. Her specialty is public policy making and analysis. She has taught a number of different courses in the United States and abroad. She began her teaching career in 1985, specializing in teaching English to native Chinese speakers in China. Dr. Zelinsky also taught at adult school and high school levels. She received her Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) in 2005 from Golden Gate University. She was awarded a Masters degree with honors in Education from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1996 and the TESL (Teaching English as Second Language) Certificate from Cal Ploy in 1994. Her dissertation was written on policy analysis of Proposition 227, bilingual education reform, in California. She worked in a variety of administrative positions at a California University and has actively volunteered in different public and private organizations. She is married and has two children. Dr. Aihua Zelinsky enjoys skating, movies, walking, and reading.