Hometown: Des Plaines, Illinois

Undergraduate Institution and Major: Drake University, Politics

Graduate Institution and Major: Drake University, Public Policy

Nicholas has been a career federal civil servant for over a decade and previously served in the United States Marine Corps with an overseas deployment. He currently serves as a Chief in the Office of Field Operations, Operations Analysis within the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration. In this role, Nicholas leads a team of Program Analysts conducting staffing, performance target, and workload modeling to support disability compensation benefit operations for Veterans and their families. He currently serves as a member on the Veterans Benefits Administration Data Governance Council.

Relevant Professional Experience: Certified Public Manager, Iowa State

Research Interests: Resilient communities and sustainable development to better prepare people for an uncertain future.

Professional Affiliations: American Society for Public Administration, Pi Alpha Alpha

Volunteer Activities: Former Craft Leader, AFGE Local 1228, Past Chapter Captain Team Red, White & Blue Des Moines, IA Chapter