About our Staff
| Lewis M. Andrews, Ph.D., Executive Director | |
| Lewis M. Andrews is executive director of the Yankee Institute for Public Policy in Hartford, CT. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Princeton, a master's in communications research from Stanford, and a Ph.D. in social psychology from the Union Institute. He has been a research fellow at Yale University and a visiting scholar at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Dr. Andrews's books include Requiem for Democracy? (Holt), Man Controlled (Free Press), and To Thine Own Self Be True (Doubleday). His articles have appeared in such diverse publications as Saturday Review, the Wall Street Journal, Investor's Business Daily, The Nation, National Review, Policy Review, New Oxford Review, Budget and Tax News, Professional Counselor, School Reform News, and The American Enterprise. Dr. Andrews's recent studies include "Free College for High School Students (January 2007),"America’s Second Civil War: The Public Employment Complex vs. Taxpayers" (April 2006) and "The Early Graduation Reward Plan: Helping High School Students Mature While Municipalities Reduce Spending" (October 2004). Under Dr. Andrews's direction the Yankee Institute has been a leader in education reform. The Institute's current projects include the design of an online calculator which shows the financial benefit to suburban towns of sending some children to private schools. He lives in Redding with his daughter Kate, his son Zachary, and two cats. Andrews can be reached at lew@yankeeinstitute.org and (860) 297-4271. | Mary Crean, Chief Development Officer |
| Mary Crean is chief development officer at the Yankee Institute for Public Policy in Hartford, CT. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph College. Beginning her professional career as an entrepreneur Crean owned and managed a fitness center for ten years. For the next seven years served as executive director for Avant Garde Studios where she hosted a weekly broadcast television program called “Connecticut Lifestyles” which promoted non-profit organizations, businesses and tourism destinations. For twenty-four years, Crean has worked in development, marketing and communications for a variety of enterprises. During that time she has raised millions of dollars, created and implemented numerous collateral multimedia materials, while significantly increasing the profile of organizations through cultivating partnerships and affiliations with the media, individuals, businesses and foundations. Recruited by the Institute Crean has designed a blueprint for the initial development, communications and grassroots organizing programs. Through her hard-charging work ethic, skills and acumen Yankee is already achieving tremendous successes. Crean serves as a board member for the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is a member of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce and its legislative committee. She can be reached at mary@yankeeinstitute.org or at (860) 297-4171. | Phil Maymin, Ph.D., Policy Scholar |
| Phil Maymin is the policy scholar for the Yankee Institute for Public Policy in Hartford, CT. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from Harvard, a master's in applied mathematics from Harvard, and a Ph.D. in finance from the University of Chicago. He is also in his final year of a J.D. program, eligible to sit for the California Bar in 2009. Dr. Maymin has been a portfolio manager at Long-Term Capital Management, Ellington Management Group, and a hedge fund he founded with his father, Maymin Capital Management. He is an award-winning journalist, a regular columnist for the Fairfield County Weekly, a Justice of the Peace, and the author of Yankee Wake Up, a collection of essays. He was the 2006 Libertarian candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's fourth Congressional district and was the subject of a national documentary by an award-winning Washington Post videographer. Dr. Maymin has appeared on national and local TV and radio, and he has been published in the Connecticut Post, Waterbury Republican-American, Hartford Business Journal, and Greenwich Post, among others. He has had speaking engagements at schools, universities, and community associations. All of Dr. Maymin's past columns and work are archived at www.philmaymin.com and he can be reached at phil@maymin.com. | J. Scott Moody, Contributing Writer |
| Scott Moody has worked as a tax policy economist for over 10 years. He is the author, co-author and editor of over 50 articles and books. He has testified twice before the House Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. Congress. He has also testified before the Maine State Legislature on tax and budget issues. He has been interviewed by numerous newspapers and radio and television stations. His work has appeared in Forbes, CNN Money, State Tax Notes, The New York Sun, The Oklahoman and the Portland Press Herald. He is currently on the Board of Directors of The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER, formerly ACCRA) and on the editorial board of the Journal for Applied Research in Economic Development co-published by the University of Southern Mississippi and C2ER. Scott received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wingate University (Wingate, N.C.). He received his Master of Arts in Economics from George Mason University (Fairfax, VA). He can be reached jscottmoody@verizon.net. | Wendy P. Warcholik, Ph.D, Contributing Writer |
| Wendy Warcholik has worked as an economist in public policy settings for over 10 years. She has extensive experience in applying statistical and econometric tools in public policy paradigms. Her professional experience includes positions as an economist at the Bureau of Economic Analysis in Washington, D.C., chief forecasting economist for the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Medical Assistance Services and adjunct scholar with The Tax Foundation. Additionally, she teaches economics to MBA and eMBA students. Wendy received her Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University. She can be reached at wendywarcholik@verizon.net. | Dan Lips, Contributing Writer |
| Dan Lips is an education analyst at the Heritage Foundation, a public policy think tank in Washington, D.C. Lips also works as an education consultant with the Yankee Institute for Public Policy and is a senior fellow with the Goldwater Institute and Maryland Public Policy Institute. Dan's research has been cited in the Wall Street Journal and his commentaries have been featured in media outlets across the nation, including National Review Online, the Baltimore Sun, and the Arizona Republic. In February 2006, Dan authored "Providing School Choice to Connecticut Foster Children: Fostering Stability and Achievement." Dan graduated with honors from Princeton University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in politics. He was raised in Weston, Connecticut. He can be reached at dan@yankeeinstitute.org and (860) 297-4271. | Geoffrey Griswold Fisher, Contributing Writer |
| Geoffrey Griswold Fisher is a native of Connecticut and is the product of the West Hartford Public Schools. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Arts in Public Policy from Trinity College. A state-certified history teacher, Fisher has taught in numerous Connecticut towns including Hartford, Suffield and most recently Litchfield, where he taught Advanced Placement U.S. History. In addition to his teaching experiences, Fisher has an extensive record in politics including his tenure as a member of the West Hartford Board of Education. It was here that Fisher blocked the implementation of the K-2 / 3-5 busing plan by mobilizing a citizens committee of 500 parents. Although he was the only member to vote against the measure, it was unanimously rejected by the board within one year. Fisher believes passionately in thoughtful yet civil political discourse and has published several articles on education reform and public policy. He also worked for six years at the state Capitol for numerous representatives including M. Jodi Rell of Brookfield – in that capacity Fisher did constituent outreach activities including speechwriting. In 1998 Fisher also had the unique opportunity of writing speeches for Santa Mendoza, when she ran for Connecticut Attorney General. Mendoza was the first Latina to run for statewide office in Connecticut history. Fisher can be reached at geoffreygfisher@hotmail.com. | Armand A. Fusco, Ed.D., Contributing Writer |
| Armand A. Fusco, Ed.D. began his career in education as a teacher in 1958. He quickly moved into administrative roles, and in 1971 became superintendent of schools in Hadley, Massachusetts. In 1980, he resigned his position to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship with the Boston Labor Management Center, specializing in quality of work life programs. Following his fellowship, he served as superintendent of schools in Branford, Connecticut, from 1985 until his retirement in 1992. Dr. Fusco later became a professor of education and director of teacher intern programs at the University of Bridgeport. He has authored many professional works, including the book School Corruption: Betrayal of Children and the Public Trust. Dr. Fusco's articles appear regularly in his column "Inside Education," published by several shoreline newspapers. Fusco has authored two Yankee Institute manuals, "Stopping School Corruption: A Manual for Taxpayers," in May of 2006 and "Ending Corruption and Waste in Your Public School," in December of 2007. Fusco earned a degree in education from the Central Connecticut State Teachers College, a professional diploma from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Arts from Columbia University, and a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts. Fusco also founded the Parkside School and Academy for special-education students and co-founded the Springfield Preparatory School. He resides in Guilford, Connecticut, with Constance, his wife of 53 years. They have four children and fourteen grandchildren. | Brian Bolduc, Research Associate |
| Brian Bolduc is a research associate of the Yankee Institute for Public Policy. Currently, he is a junior at Harvard University, pursuing a major in Economics and a minor in Government. In Cambridge, Brian regularly writes for The Harvard Crimson, the campus daily, on politics and economics. In addition, he is the editor of The Harvard Salient, the college's conservative magazine. Brian also is active in the Institute of Politics, where he was a liaison to former Congresswoman Nancy Johnson (R-CT). Outside of school, Brian is involved in Republican politics. He recently interned for Gov. Mitt Romney's presidential campaign and the Connecticut Republican Party. This summer, he is interning with the Winston Group, a survey research firm in Washington D.C. At the Yankee Institute, Brian plans to study education policy. He can be reached at bolduc@fas.harvard.edu. | Natasha Sasonova, Artist |
| Natasha Sazanova is a freelance artist who specializes in editorial and book illustrations. Born in the Ukraine, Natasha began painting as a toddler. At age four, she was the youngest student to attend the Fine Arts Studio of the University of Engineering and Architecture in Kiev. At sixteen, Natasha immigrated to the United States to join her mother, and achieved academic success by graduating from high school in the top 5 percent of her class. Natasha has exhibited her artwork in galleries throughout the Northeast, including New York City’s Museum of Art and Design. Her work ranges from the famous outdoor cow parade exhibit in Boston to exquisite illustrations that adorn the study covers and website of the Yankee Institute for Public Policy. Giving back to the country that has become her second home is important to Natasha. She donates her time and talents to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Danbury Hospital heart program, the Jimmy Fund, and Nutmeg Big Brothers and Big Sisters. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in graphic design. Natasha’s collection can be viewed at http://artns.us. |
