Students & Alumni

Bruce G. Lawson
MPA, CCP, IPMA-CP

Mr. Lawson is a Managing Director of Fox Lawson & Associates, a Division of Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. Mr. Lawson serves as project director and/or technical advisor, providing technical direction and quality assurance, and has been directing classification and compensation studies for more than 25 years.  Prior to forming Fox Lawson, he spent 15 years with the firm of Ernst & Young LLP where he served as the national director of their public sector compensation consulting practice.  He also served as City Manager in two California cities and assisted in other city management duties in Oregon and Arizona.  Mr. Lawson has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University at Fullerton, is a.b.d. in Public Administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, and has earned his CCP certification from World at Work.  He is also an active member of several professional associations including the College & University Professional Association for Human Resources, the International City & County Management Association, the International Public Management Association for Human Resources, the Society for Human Resources Management and World at Work.

Ben Siegel

Ben Siegel serves as the Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Lake Forest. He is responsible for managing the City’s legislative affairs and intergovernmental relations program, as well as coordinating special projects related to transportation, housing, and public safety. Prior to his current role in the City Manager’s Office, Ben worked as a Management Analyst in the Public Works and Police Services departments. Ben began his career in local government in 2002 as a Management Intern with the City of Encinitas. He is an active member of the Municipal Management Association of Southern California.

Ben earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from UCLA in 2000 and recently completed his Master of Public Administration Degree at Cal State Fullerton, where he was the recipient of the 2007 Sid Baldwin Award. He is a member of the Pi Alpha Alpha, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies.

A native San Diegan, Ben enjoys ocean sports and is an avid runner and swimmer. He currently resides in Laguna Beach.

Carlo Tomaino

Carlo graduated cum laude from California State University Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science/Public Administration. In 2007, he successfully completed a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, also from California State University Fullerton. 

Carlo currently works for the City Manager’s Office in the City of Lake Forest.  In this role, Carlo directly assists the City Manager in the evaluation of complex policy issues that include Federal and State legislation, redevelopment, public finances, public safety, and residential and commercial development.
Carlo is a member of professional organizations including the Municipal Management Association of Southern California.  Additionally, Carlo is a member of Mensa and the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.  During his career, he has participated as a guest speaker on various panels discussing matters of relevance to City management. 

He hopes to one-day to become a City Manager, and believes that those with a sincere desire to serve their communities, and a passion for challenging work, should consider a career in public service.  In the future, Carlo would like to teach undergraduate courses in Political Science and Public Administration to advance the education and careers of those aspiring to serve the public.

Stephanie Mendenhall

Stephanie Mendenhall graduated from Cal State Fullerton’s Master in Public Administration program in May 2011.

Stephanie is employed as the City Clerk for the City of Upland. Stephanie serves as the City’s election official, city-wide records manager, and disseminates information to the public and media organizations.  As a Council appointee, she coordinates various special projects related to the policy set by the City Council.  She has served as President of the Southern California City Clerks Association and has mentored others in seeking higher education.  Her desire is to utilize the theoretical framework she has received from Cal State Fullerton to address difficult issues facing public agencies. 

She has been a member of Pi Alpha Alpha honor society since 2009 and has served on the board for two years.  Stephanie is also the co-recipient of the 2011 Sidney Baldwin Award. 

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