About John

I'm a resourceful, hands-on problem solver with a passion for music, data, business, technology, and education. My path has been anything but linear: I’ve worked as a jazz musician, technical market analyst, distressed asset specialist, enrollment counselor/recruiter, and educator. At the core of it all, I’ve always been drawn to understanding complex systems and showing others how they work.

I grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains, obsessed with music, where my saxophone echoed through the ridges and canyons. I moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to pursue music, and over time I found that teaching resonated with me more than club gigs. After returning to Santa Cruz in 2016, I transitioned to education full-time, with a focus on applied economics, workforce development, and using tech to solve problems. My work sits at the confluence of data, systems thinking, and instruction. In the classroom, I focus on bridging the gap between what students learn and the skills employers seek; in research I explore the intersection of equity and optimization. I teach because I believe knowledge is most valuable when it’s shared and applied to create opportunity.

Outside of teaching, I’m a lifelong learner and believe that curiosity is the driving force for growth and innovation. I love a good conversation, whether it’s discussing economic trends, breaking down the nuances of a great business idea, debating the best classic video games, or arguing over where to find the best tacos in town (it’s the Chubby’s truck quesabirria). If you see me around campus or in the CTC, don’t hesitate to say hello! Let’s talk music, math, business, or whatever you're passionate about.

Education

★ Master of Science, Applied Economics - Financial Econometrics & Public Policy: Purdue

★ Bachelor of Music: University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music

Phone/Email

See above for embedded contact links. Email is the best mode of contact; phone is not closely monitored. Students currently enrolled in my courses should message me directly through Canvas or meet me in the CTC.