David Folz

David Folz is an Adjunct Professor at the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, where he teaches Public Financial Administration. He retired from the University in July 2022 after a long career, during which he directed the Master of Public Policy and Administration program from 2012 to 2021. His research focuses on local and state government management, solid waste management, program evaluation, and public finance. He has authored influential works such as Managing America’s Small Communities (2005) and Survey Research for Public Administration (1996).

Dr. Folz has led initiatives like the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program and advised student organizations including the UT chapter of ICMA and Pi Alpha Alpha. His recent work includes analyzing fire safety policies with the UT Municipal Technical Advisory Service. Key research areas include election administration cost control, fire mortality reduction strategies, and municipal benchmarking. He has contributed to over 50 scholarly articles and reports, emphasizing practical solutions for public sector challenges.

His professional accolades include pioneering municipal recycling program studies and advancing methodologies for citizen engagement. Folz continues to engage in applied research, bridging academic theory with real-world governance issues.