The Advisory Council is a group of local professionals who serve as advisors to theMaster of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) program and faculty. The members of the Advisory Council come from a variety of sectors
within the area. Their focus is on advising on program improvements, developing learning
opportunities, and promoting close cooperation among the community. They also support
the MPPA program on a wide range of other activities involving students, faculty and
alumni.
Jamshid Damooei, Ph.D.
Professor and Director, Economics, Executive Director, Center for Economics of Social
Issues, California Lutheran University
Jamshid Damooei is a Professor of Economics, Director of Economics Program, and
the Executive Director of the Center for Economics of Social Issues (CESI) at California
Lutheran University. Prior to joining California Lutheran University, Dr. Damooei
served as a Senior Economist for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Back
in early 1980's he was the Director General of the Department of Economic Studies
and Policies of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance of Iran.
During the last two and a half decades he has become more focused on the economic
analyses of social issues and published in professional and popular journals as well
as books edited on such subjects/issues. His research endeavors on the topic of investing
in children resulted in publication of multiple pioneering studies on the economic
impact of Boys & Girls Clubs of America in a number of states and metropolitan areas
within the USA. In all of his recent studies on children and youth, there is a strong
emphasis on the impact of socio-economic status (SES) of children on their academic
performance and social behavior and their opportunity to be successful in their lives
as they grow up.
He served as a consultant for a number of organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs
across various states, Public Health, First 5, United Way, Blue Cross, Blue Shield,
various foundations within Ventura and LA Counties, and a number of other non-profit
organizations.
His other scholarly work includes a broad spectrum of current social and economic
issues such as: project design and evaluation, methods of capacity building during
time of crisis, crisis prevention and recovery, causes of economic imbalances, aid
coordination, privatization of industries, monetary and financial problems, and economic
and social impact assessments of policies or institutional establishments.
While he worked at UNDP and later as an international consultant with UNDP and the
United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) he conducted a number of studies
on economic issues of Somalia and the Horn of Africa. His studies relate to the economic
and political issues of the area faced with political instability and economic crises.
He writes op-eds a number of regional newspapers and he is often interviewed by various
news media. His views and commentaries on international economic issues are frequently
sought by international media such as BBC and other international radios and televisions.
Herb Gooch, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science, California Lutheran University
Dr. Herbert Gooch is Professor of Political Science at California Lutheran University.
He formerly served as Director of the Masters in Public Policy and Administration
program and Assistant Provost for Graduate Studies at Cal Lutheran. A graduate of
U.C. Berkeley in History, he holds a M.B.A in Management and both masters and doctoral
degrees in Political Science from U.C.L.A. He has written extensively and is a frequent
commentator on political affairs locally and statewide. He has been at Cal Lutheran
since 1987 and lives in Newbury Park with his wife and son who attends Cal Lutheran.
His interests include politics, film and travel.
Dichele Harris
Interim Area Director at Lutheran Social Services of Southern California
Steve Mermell
City Manager, City of Pasadena
Mr. Mermell was appointed City Manager by unanimous vote of the City Council
and assumed his duties February 15, 2016. As City Manager he is the Chief Administrative
Officer of the City and is charged with supervising, coordinating, and administering
the various functions of the City. He has direct responsibility for all departments,
divisions, and offices of the City with the exception of the City Attorney/Prosecutor
and City Clerk which are separately appointed by the City Council.
Leah Oliver
Chief Technology Officer, Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association
Andrew Powers
City Manager, City of Thousand Oaks
Andrew Powers, a native of North Carolina, has over 17 years of local government
experience in cities on the East and West Coast. He currently serves as Interim City
Manager for the City of Thousand Oaks, CA where he's worked for the past nine years
including stints as Assistant City Manager and Chief of Staff / Public Information
Officer, where he is credited with building the organization's first full service
Communications Division. As Interim City Manager, Andrew is responsible for overseeing
municipal operations servicing 130,000 residents with over 500 employees and an annual
budget in excess of $150 million.
Prior to his work in Thousand Oaks, he managed media relations, web development, and
community partnerships for the City of Ventura, CA Civic Engagement Division and oversaw
marketing, corporate relations, and program development for the City of Raleigh, NC
Parks & Recreation Department. Andrew holds a BS degree from North Carolina State
University and a Master's in Public Policy and Administration from California Lutheran
University. On a personal note, he resides in Ventura, CA with his wife Ashley where
they spend much of their free time surfing and exploring the globe.
Sandy Smith
Land Use Consultant, Sespe Consulting
In his role as Land Use Consultant, Sandy Smith is responsible for providing
strategic analysis and counseling, comprehensive land use planning and project planning
and entitlement, and public hearing strategy development and representation- at the
local and state levels. In addition, Sandy has years of experience as a facilitator
and mediator- specializing in collaborative community problem solving, neighborhood
design and land use dispute resolution.