I as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the District of Columbia Department of General Services am responsible for a multi-billion-dollar capital program and a $700M operating budget. The CAO is part of the Administration's executive team and acts as the Director's delegate and advisor to leadership and the agency. The CAO is responsible for leading and directing the organization's finances, performance team, HR, IT, and other functions necessary for the day-to-day functioning of the agency. The CAO is also a key communicator and liaison with the Executive Office of the Mayor, the City Council, and other stakeholders.
A Valuable Education
I think the biggest value of my education for me is being here. When I got to Mount Union’s campus my freshman year, I saw the Washington Internship Program and knew I wanted to do it. I ended up doing it my last semester, which was hard because I was away from my classmates, but I was in D.C. So I think the biggest value was that program and the help that I received from my professors. It’s one-on-one. I got to know all of the professors in political science and philosophy, and they encouraged me and helped me get here.
The Ralph and Mary Regula Center
At Mount, I participated in many activities, including the Wilderness Trip and Pi Sigma Alpha, but I am also really proud of being involved in the Ralph and Mary Regula Center for Public Service and Civic Engagement. That was really, for me, when I was the proudest of myself along with three other classmates. We were the inaugural class of the scholarship program, so we helped shape it. Getting to know Ralph was a huge honor. He has done so much, and both he and Mary are huge inspirations.
Pairing Majors for a Successful Career
I double majored in Political Science and Philosophy, with a minor in Pre-Law. While I believe these are great areas of study preparing someone for a career in public policy, I also recommend communications, or a strong understanding/mastery of effective communication. Lastly, finance and budget are other key areas of expertise as effective policy execution depends on adequate resources and creative financing strategies.
First Job After Graduation
After graduation, I worked for the place where I interned, which was the Potomac Advocates, a consulting and governmental relations firm on Capitol Hill. They brought back interns who did well during their internship and provided at least three months of temporary employment. The guys I worked with were fantastic, influential, and had years of experience, but it was also tough love. I learned a lot. It’s also the reason that I’m here.