The Virtues of Public Services with Senior Policy Fellow Bob Gordon

We return to our regularly scheduled EJB Talks this week with Bob Gordon, a Senior Policy Fellow who joined the Bloustein School earlier this year. Dean Stuart Shapiro asks Bob, a former New Jersey legislator and BPU Commissioner, about his path to public service. Bob talks about his early days as a policy analyst and how he discovered he wanted to be less behind the scenes and move into the policymaking side. He discusses the successes, missteps, and side steps that eventually led to his 14-year legislative term and eventual BPU role, as well as some key legislation he helped pass to improve accountability and transparency in government. He explained how some of his greatest pleasures and satisfaction came from working with everyday constituents to help them solve their problems. Stuart and Bob wrap up by discussing how students interested in politics and public service should be aware of the negative aspects of public life and always have a backup plan for their future but also be willing to focus on the good they will accomplish if they pursue a career serving the common good.