About The Policy TreeThe Policy Tree is a nonpartisan think tank. Our aim is the bring people together over public policy and political issues. We highlight commonalities rather than divisions, while focusing on quality of life issues that affect humans in the US and around the globe.The Policy Tree consists of a diverse group of writers, researchers and analysts who focus on issues related to public administration, federal and local law and policy, politics, urban planning, transportation policy, education, budget analysis, law enforcement, public safety, economics, and ethics, among other topics. The Policy Tree is designed to meet your needs and answer your questions, so please enjoy the resources and provide feedback.The Policy TreeTPT_cde73242-0099-11e5-a0e3-86f450fed04fMatthew HarangMatthew Harang is the founder of The Policy Tree, and is a passionate public policy analyst. He has earned a B.S. in Public Policy, Management and Planning, and a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and California State University, respectively. He has a passion for quality of life issues, urban planning, and inner-city services and development. In addition, Harang is avid about the arts, and works as a freelance photographer and visual artist: see www.mattharang.com.Russell RuggieroRussell Ruggiero is a Research Analyst focusing on technology and human behavior. Large-scale efforts include HumanML and StratML. Latest Cloud Computing work was recently showcased on AOL Government via Episode 3 (Federal IT Spending) & Episode 5 (Database Consolidation) respectively. Cloud Computing related works currently listed on MIT.edu and XML.org Websites. Recent human behavior series (HB 1.0 to HB 7.0) has been requested by some key members of the IT community and the press.Rex BrooksA graduate of the University of California Berkeley, Rex Brooks has pursued an extensive and wide-ranging career in Advertising and Communications Design. Rex has also pursued the development of 3D technologies for print, film, video, multimedia and the worldwide web. This led to teaching Intermediate 3D Computer Modeling and Animation and also led him to co-found the Content Development Working Group of the Web 3D Consortium. His specific concern with accurate depictions of humans and human behavior in 3D led to ongoing interests in standards, especially for emergency management, which have become his chief focus. This led, in turn, to his involvement with the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS), The Ontolog Forum and the Network Cenric Operations Industry Consortium (NCOIC).Dan StronginDan Strongin is the founder of ManageNaturally.com, an online resource providing pragmatic, proven, effective solutions to every day business problems. A Thought Leader in Strategic Marketing and Quality Administration, he spent over two decades in food, as a 5 Star Chef working at places like the Ritz Carlton Hotel, and then as a supermarket executive, leading the charge of restaurant quality food into supermarkets. Dan began consulting in 1994, as a specialist in the strategic marketing, administration and commercialization of value added products. He has been deeply influenced by, and is a founding member of The Deming Collaboration.Michael J. PassimentMichael Passiment holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Policy from The Pennsylvania State University. A dedicated student leader at Penn State, he has won several awards for his work in Student Government. He was the 2013 recipient of Penn State University’s Kenneth W. Masters Award in Public Policy, for academic excellence. Michael is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree at Penn State, where he ranks near the top of his class.Scott SchneiderScott Schneider is a policy analyst who holds a Bachelor's of Social Work from the University of Central Florida and a Master's of Public Administration from the University of South Florida. His areas of expertise are nonprofits, public policy, finance, transportation planning, and grantsmanship. He has worked collaboratively with community organizations to assess transit needs relative to mobility, economic vitality, and overall quality of life. In addition, he has experience developing state-wide initiatives to advance healthcare research on a national and global scale.Patricia BischofPatricia earned a Bachelor of Art Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Human Development and a minor in Art from Prescott College in Tucson, Arizona. As an artist, she sees color, texture and shapes; and as a writer, she see words that come together in a special way. Both take a creative process that result in an artistic presence. Besides writing, she is preparing for her next Art Show for Spring 2015, to be held in Tucson, Arizona.Gary S. NellisGary S. Nellis is a Long Term Care insurance & asset-protection Specialist, employee benefit Broker, worksite benefit Expert, contemporary art & photography Collector based in Los Angeles.Michael HarringtonMichael Harrington is an award-winning political economist, policy analyst, and author. He researches and writes on public policy issues integrating economics, politics, and finance. He also publishes commercial historical fiction. His books and academic research are accessible through his Amazon author page: www.amazon.com/author/michaelharrington and his policy blog at https://casinocap.wordpress.com.Chad DavisDavis graduated from Maryville College (Maryville, TN) with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Political Science. Chad continued his education at Tennessee State University (Nashville TN), earning a Master of Public Administration Degree. Chad holds a certification in Youth and Human Service Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Nonprofit Management. Chad lives in Knoxville, Tennessee and currently works as a Regional Planner assisting small to mid-sized communities with their planning and development needs. Chad enjoys outdoor activities, photography, off-roading, woodworking, and amateur radio.Karina KrzeljKarina earned her Master of Art Degree in International Relations and certificate in International Relations from St. John's University. She is also a graduate of Fordham University, earning a double major Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and History. Karina was an adjunct professor of International Law at Marymount Manhattan College, where she further developed her knowledge regarding international relations. She has traveled to over thirty-five countries on six continents and has lived and worked abroad in South America. Karina is passionate about human rights, conflict resolution, foreign policy and international development.Kara FordKara Ford graduated magna Cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science from The Ohio State University. She will also be graduating in May 2015 with both a M.A. in Public Policy and Management and a J.D. also from The Ohio State University. As a law student, Kara has worked as a Research Assistant for the university in climate change and environmental law, and was also an intern at both the Ohio EPA and Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio. Kara spent the summer in between undergraduate and law school volunteering at a rural orphanage in Ghana. She is especially interested in climate change and environmental issues, poverty and development, and international affairs; but her academic background has covered a wide variety of subject matters.To meet your needs and answer your questions_cde73418-0099-11e5-a0e3-86f450fed04fTo be a leading resource for relevant articles, reports and studies._cde734e0-0099-11e5-a0e3-86f450fed04fNonpartisanshipBipartisanshipCommonalitiesWe highlight commonalities rather than divisions, while focusing on quality of life issues that affect humans in the US and around the globe.Quality of LifeDiversityThe uniqueness of our think tank lies in the diversity of our analysts and contributors. We are made up of liberals, conservatives, moderates, Democrats, Republicans. We are in different age groups, and come from different generations, and various professional backgrounds, not to mention various ethnicities and racial backgrounds.AnalysesThe Policy Tree will never provide boring, one sided analyses. Our reports and articles are thoughtful and thought provoking. We understand that policies and laws affect different groups in different ways and we always take into account the voice of the majority as well as the voice of the few, while doing our best to bridge the gaps between groups.Goals & InitiativesTo bring members of all political parties together over common goals and initiatives_cde73580-0099-11e5-a0e3-86f450fed04fDemocratsRepublicansIndependentsMembers of Political PartiesOur goal is to bring Democrats, Republicans, Independents and members of all political parties together over common goals and initiatives that should serve to improve life for us all. We want to provide policy ideas and solutions while also highlighting current and past bipartisan and nonpartisan triumphs.Ideas & SolutionsProvide policy ideas and solutions._cde73634-0099-11e5-a0e3-86f450fed04f1TriumphsHighlighting bipartisan and nonpartisan triumphs._cde737d8-0099-11e5-a0e3-86f450fed04f22015-05-22OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net