Christopher Tucker

Q: “Tell us a bit about yourself, Christopher.”
A: "I’m a thirty-six year old husband and father of two small children, currently living in the Atlanta, GA area. My wife and I enjoy cooking together and traveling as much as our schedule will allow. Between my family, career, and military obligations I have little time for hobbies but do enjoy working out and reading military history when I find the time to do so."

Q: “Briefly describe your professional life.”
A: "As a civilian, I currently serve the citizens of Meriwether County, GA as the Chief of Fire and Emergency Services and the Director of Emergency Management. My duties include leading a department consisting of 24 full-time firefighter EMTs and paramedics, about a dozen part-time employees, and over 180 volunteer firefighters. I manage day-to-day operations through my command staff of four senior officers. Part of my role is to serve as a member of the county’s executive staff in order to offer guidance and support to our elected officials with respect to emergency management operations and to assist with the integration of all county departments with state and federal resources in the event of a large-scale disaster. I also serve in the Georgia Army National Guard as the executive officer of an engineer company tasked with providing victim search and extraction resources for FEMA’s Region 4 area."

Q: “What was your motivation for pursuing your degree?”
A: "I found myself in a position in which I was taking on increased responsibilities and felt as though I needed a graduate education in order to ensure I was properly equipped to assume those responsibilities. After consultation with senior leaders within my own organization and my professional network, I determined that a Master of Public Administration would fit my needs perfectly due to my involvement with program management, human capital development, and policy design and implementation."

Q: “What makes Norwich unique?”
A: "Norwich is unique because alumni are encouraged, and expected, to go forward upon graduation and apply the knowledge and skills gained to benefit society. There is an undercurrent of public service woven into the fabric of Norwich that resonated deeply with me. In addition, Norwich is unique in that its students, faculty, and alumni are called to apply values to their studies and work. Norwich isn’t exclusively about positioning graduates for personal gain; it’s about what we can do for our neighbors and our nation that counts above all."

Q: “How have you grown personally or professionally as a result of your education?”
A: "Norwich's motto, “Expect Challenge, Achieve Distinction,” has certainly proved true in my experience. Juggling work, family, and school commitments expanded my capabilities in significant ways. I now have more confidence to take on projects and a greater ability to meet any obligation I face."

Q: “Please tell us about any examples where you were able to put knowledge to work immediately at your job.”
A: "Soon after completing the Public Organization Resources and Processes course, I found myself leading an overhaul of our employee performance evaluation process. Our existing system was outdated and vague. Employees were often evaluated as a result of their own manager’s personal preference as opposed to any clearly defined standard. As a result of what I learned, I was able to develop a system that is fair, unbiased, and gives the employee an accurate appraisal of where they are at professionally in addition to offering them concrete tools they can use improve their performance."