I am a graduate of Duke University, as well as Duquesne University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in political science and German with a focus on international relations and twentieth century totalitarian regimes. I received my Master of Arts in Public Policy Management with a focus on energy policy, particularly unconventional hydrocarbons like shale gas. During my undergraduate studies, I spent 6 months living in Berlin, Germany as part of a full-immersion language acquisition program. Professionally, I spent almost a decade as a small business owner, operating my own financial planning firm. I decided to return for higher education because of a deep interest in energy markets, developed during my career as a financial advisor. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about Economics (particularly microeconomics), Political Science, History, and Math. In my experience helping struggling students prepare for Standardized Tests like the GRE, I have seen the most success assisting students in understanding the logic of these exams, how they have been constructed, and what the best approach for leveraging that knowledge is. I have a deep commitment to education. Education is necessary not just for establishing employable skills, but more importantly to create an informed population. In my spare time, I enjoy blacksmithing and knifemaking, playing my drums and guitar, listening to a wide array of music, and spending as much time as possible with my family.