Pete Peterson is Dean of Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy, and Executive Director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement. He is a leading national speaker and writer on issues related to civic participation, and the use of technology to make government more responsive and transparent. Peterson was the first executive director of the bi-partisan organization, Common Sense California, and he writes widely on public engagement for a variety major news outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and San Francisco Chronicle. Peterson was the Republican candidate for California Secretary of State in 2014.