Meet The Political Science Alumni Advisory Board

Bryan Corcoran, Chair of the Board 

Board Member Since 2009 

"I graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in Political Science in 1982.Shortly after graduation, I began working as a Sales Representative for The Procter & Gamble Company in metro Los Angeles. Thirty-six years later, I retired after a rewarding career that provided the opportunity to have many different levels of management responsibilities within the Sales and Supply Chain Management functions of the company.

Throughout my career, I lived in northern and southern California, Birmingham, Alabama, Nashville, Tennessee, and for 21 years at our corporate offices in Cincinnati, Ohio.

I have worked in many of Procter & Gamble’s largest businesses. The last 5–7 years of my career were in P&G’s largest business, North America Fabric Care. I was sales manager for the $1.3 billion U.S. Fabric Softener business, which included Downy, Gain, Bounce and Unstopables Scent Boosters. My last role with the company, after relocating back home to California, was the southwest sales manager for P&G’s corporate grocery business. In that role, I had responsibility for all the brands in the company’s portfolio.

During my time at Cal Poly, I was very involved in student activities. I served as the general superintendent of the 50th Anniversary Poly Royal in 1982—that was truly a great experience! My wife Lisa (Agriculture Business Management, ’82) and I thoroughly enjoyed our time at Cal Poly, and we try to get back to the central coast as often as possible.”

Jason "Bini" Colombini 

Board Member Since 2021 

“I am a fifth-generation farmer in California, born in Stockton and raised in the small community of Linden. For the past seven years I’ve managed my family’s walnut and olive farm located in San Joaquin, Calaveras, and Stanislaus Counties. While managing the farm I’ve worked to implement several modern farming strategies that have led to record production. 

While at Cal Poly, I was involved in numerous clubs and organizations. I served as president of the Inter Housing Council, Interfraternity Council, Student Philanthropy Council, and the 2013-2014 ASI President. I graduated magna cum laude in 2014 with a degree in Agribusiness and a minor in Fruit Science. I returned to Cal Poly where in 2017 I received a Master of Public Policy (MPP) focusing primarily on water policy in California.  My current involvement with Cal Poly today includes being on the POLS Advisory Board and having served as the Chapter Advisor for ZBT since 2015. 

Soon after moving home, I put my MPP to good use when I was elected to the Linden Unified School District Board of Trustees in 2018. In January 2023, my public service continued when I was appointed to an open board seat on the North San Joaquin Water Conservation District and elected Vice President. I was re-elected in November 2024. I’m also the district’s representative on the Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority and a member of its Steering Committee as well as one of 26 representatives on the California Drought Resilience Interagency & Partners (DRIP) Collaborative.” 

Steven B. Merrick 

Board Member Since 2006 

“I began my Cal Poly career in 1975 after spending 2 years at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California. During my senior year, I was fortunate enough to receive an internship with the County of San Luis Obispo Administrative Office that completely changed my professional goals from working in law to working in the public sector. I moved to Minnesota shortly after graduation and found that the local governments there were looking for new hires that came from the local community or were looking for an advanced degree (MPA). Because of those challenges, I worked in the private sector for an insurance company for 2 years and then for 3M Corporation as a COBOL programmer in information technology. I earned a Master of Business Administration in 1984 that gave me broader knowledge of business and finance. I worked for 3M for 30 years in business capacities as well as in Six Sigma (Master Black Belt) and led a part of information technology as chief information officer (CIO) for one of its major business segments, Safety, Security, and Protection Services. I also spent 23 years in the US Army Reserve including an active-duty mobilization for Operation Desert Storm. In addition to the POLS Alumni Advisory Board, I also serve on the Board of Directors of Bethesda Medical Clinic in Cap Haitian, Haiti, a Christian organization that ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of the north Haitians.  My successes have been based on the solid foundation I received at Cal Poly, for which I will be forever grateful.” 

Kayvan Chinichian 

Board Member Since 2022 

“I am currently working as the managing director of development at the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) where I work with our programs and leadership on building lasting partnerships and support for our work in promoting pragmatic bipartisan policy solutions.  

I have been fundraising for policy and higher education institutions for over 15 years now—it has become a passion of mine now over the years. Prior to BPC, I brought these skills to Cal Poly, where I led philanthropic and business development for the California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI) and launched the program, Cleared for Success, in the College of Engineering. 

My career has taken me in various directions, but a running theme has been looking at partnerships for mission-oriented organizations, oftentimes at the nexus of policy. I have built development operations and systems while simultaneously managing various funder portfolios including individuals, corporations, and foundations.  Other places I have worked include the Truman Center for National Policy/Truman National Security Project, Center for a New American Security (CNAS), Atlantic Council, and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP). 

I earned my Master of Arts in Middle East Studies from the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA) and my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Cal Poly. I live in Northern Virginia with my wife and son, who I hope will be a future Cal Poly grad one day.”  

Lisa Travis 

Board Member Since 2023 

“I am the County Counsel for Sacramento County. I was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to the position in June 2019.  I serve as the chief legal advisor for the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive Office, and to all County agencies and departments. The Office of the County Counsel is also the legal advisor to several County-related independent agencies, to all special districts of which the Board of Supervisors is the governing body, and to all other special districts to which the office is obligated to provide legal services. 

I began my career with Sacramento County in 1998 and have represented almost every County department in my 27-year career. My specialization was advising the County of Sacramento and several special districts on all aspects of public works contracting and construction, including providing advice on public contracting requirements, negotiating public works contracts, defending alleged unlawful bidding litigation, mediating and arbitrating construction claims and defending public works breach of contract litigation. I am a member of the attorneys committee for the California Association of Sanitation Agencies and the County Counsels Association. I received my Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law and my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1992. 

My husband Matthew Ruyak, assistant city attorney for the City of Sacramento, and I live in Sacramento with our two daughters, Poppy (Wine and Viticulture, ’23) and Tiger Lily. When not traveling the United States to see our favorite bands, we spend time at our cabin in Lake Tahoe.” 

Jody Skenderian 

Board Member Since 2024 

“I currently serve as the Executive Director for Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles, where I lead the university’s strategic partnership efforts in alignment with LMU’s vision and mission. In this role, I work closely with the executive vice president and provost, academic deans and university leaders to ensure that students and academic programs actively collaborate with industry leaders, businesses, government and non-governmental organizations through innovative programming, engaged learning opportunities, career pathways and strategic partnerships. 

Throughout my career, I’ve been a strategic, creative and entrepreneurial leader across higher education, nonprofit organizations and corporate environments. I’m deeply passionate about higher education, having taught for over 10 years as an adjunct faculty member—both on campus and online—while also serving on several nonprofit boards.  

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Go Mustangs!) and a Master of Arts in Political Science, with a concentration in mass media and politics, from San Francisco State University. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Ballona Discovery Park in Playa Vista, CA, and joined the Cal Poly Political Science Alumni Advisory Board in 2024.” 

I live in Southern California and enjoy travel, spending time outdoors, and cheering on my college-aged children in their academic and athletic pursuits. 

Krista Smith 

Board Member Since 2025 

“I am a proud first-generation university alumna and two-time Cal Poly graduate (Journalism, '11; Master of Public Policy, '20) from a rural town in Northern California. 

I was one of the lucky ones to stay on the Central Coast after graduation and currently apply the Cal Poly Learn by Doing philosophy in my work with the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, a non-profit trade marketing association for the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area. As marketing director, I lead marketing strategy and execution to help promote and protect the wine region. 

I spent six years of my career working at Cal Poly with the College of Liberal Arts and Cal Poly Partners, and I am extremely passionate about higher education and student engagement. It is an honor to contribute my unique perspective to the Political Science Department Alumni Advisory Board.   

Beyond the professional world, you can typically find me baking, in the garden, or at the beach with my two boys, husband and our two dogs.” 

Paul Agnew

Board Member Since 2024 

Prior to becoming a consultant instructor with Management Concepts in 2024, I had amassed 35 years of federal program analysis and financial management experience with NASA and the Air Force. In October of 2019, I was appointed as the NASA director for management operations at the Ames Assistant Center, where I provided executive leadership in critical areas including integrated operations and risk management across the center, return to onsite work planning and integration, and strategic investment funding.

Prior to my latest NASA appointment, I held a number of responsible positions, including serving several years as the center’s chief financial officer and as the Robotic Lunar Exploration Program (RLEP) business manager. I concurrently served as the Ames associate director and center CFO in 2011 and 2012. 

In 2018, I was selected as the first executive to serve as CFO of two NASA centers, becoming the trailblazer for innovations in regionalized financial leadership for all of NASA as well as being designated as a Portfolio Lead, orchestrating key agency-level operational services at different geographical sites. 

I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration from Cal Poly and have taken coursework at McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific in Sacramento, California. I have been recognized with the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the NASA Chief Financial Officer Award, multiple NASA and Ames Honor Awards. I am a certified government financial manager and a member of the Association of Government Accountants.