Before joining BSU, he worked as a Research Associate for the Bedrosian Center on Governance at the University of Southern California. He received his Ph.D. degree in Policy, Planning, and Development from USC in 2013 with specialization in public management. His interests are in local government management and public financial management. At present, he is engaged with a team project about how local governments adopt the strategic plans for climate protection and energy sustainability. In addition, he is investigating what determines the levels of fund balances and whether volunteering is a useful means of service delivery that eases fiscal burdens.