Areas of Concentration: Public Policy, American Politics

Education: B.A. Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA (Summa Cum Laude); MPA, University of Vermont, Burlington Vermont (Thesis: The New Governance of America's Airports: How Tool Selection Affects Accountability Structures).

Research Interests
My main area of interest and expertise is in the arena of privatization and how increased private sector involvement in providing government services or functions affects public accountability. Also, I am interested in how public policy is formulated within states, with a particular focus on direct democracy and citizen participation.  I just finished a two year appointment at the Snelling Center for Government, a public policy firm in Vermont, which has driven my interest in this area. Finally, I have recently become interested in national elections in regards to what issues drive citizens to vote for specific candidates and how their value sets impact that decision.

Publications
Farley, J and Mills, R. (2007) Opening the Policy Window for Ecological Economics: Katrina as a Focusing Event.  Ecological Economics.  63(2) 344-354. 

Awards
Marshall Dimock Award, University of Vermont (For outstanding academic acheivement and vision within the field of public administration).

Recreational Interests
Having grown up in the city of Pittsburgh, my main recreational interest is football and particularly the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Also, I am a struggling golfer, who enjoys a relaxing Saturday on the course. Finally, I enjoy spending quiet time with my fiancee Ashley.