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—but 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 professionally, but over time I found that what truly resonated with me was teaching. After returning to Santa Cruz in 2016, I committed to education full-time, shifting my focus to the empowerment of students reaching their goals. I teach because I believe knowledge is most valuable when it’s shared, applied, and used to create opportunity. My focus is bridging the gap between what students learn in the classroom and the skills that employers seek.

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 (June 2025)

★ Bachelor of Music, Music Management: University of the Pacific

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.