Steven M. Maser is Professor of Public Policy and Public Management at Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management in Oregon. He has published 30 articles on the topics of government regulation of business, municipal charters, constitutions, negotiation, conflict management, and public management. He teaches MBA-level courses on public policy, public management, negotiation, and organizational conflict management.

We do this by bringing together insights and perspectives, blended with an equal measure of practicality and reflection, from an array of government leaders,

This edition of The Business of Government magazine has as its background a period rifewith significant challenges that go to the core of effective public management. Faced withseemingly intractable issues such as an ever growing federal deficit, economic uncertainty,unemployment, and aging infrastructure, it appears that the old adage “doing more withless” has taken on a whole new reality. Addressing the challenges arising from this newreality brings with it opportunities—to try different approaches, borrow new strategies,

This edition of The Business of Government magazine explores a vast array of topics and public management issues facing us today. it is about making connections: introducing our readers and connecting them to the work of government executives who are leading agencies or initiatives that are focused on critical missions.

Donald F. Kettl is Dean of the School of Public Policy and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Prior to his appointment, he was the Robert A. Fox Leadership Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and Professor of Political Science.

Dr. H. Brinton Milward is the Director of the National Institute for Civil Discourse and Director of the School of Government and Public Policy at the University of Arizona where he holds the Providence Service Corporation Chair in Public Management. He has been president of two national associations: the Public Management Research Association and the National Association of Schools of Public Administration and Affairs.