Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Rowe.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I had five years running a public policy company called BOTEC Analysis under my mentor, a former professor Mark Kleiman. Before that, I had been producing documentary films and working in the entertainment industry as an actor and producer.
Starting Rowe Policy + Media was a logical extension of that work and allowed me to focus on some areas including youth incarceration and cannabis policy that were very important to me.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been difficult starting a company on my own. I have been lucky in that I have some colleagues who are interested in some of the same areas and we’ve been able to get into some interesting contracts. I spent much of the last three years subbing out to a company called Avenu Insights and I worked with dozens of cities and associations as they prepared to regulate the emerging cannabis industry.
The business side; winning contracts, performing the work and collecting payment has been difficult and more of the effort than I would hope for my future but it has taught me several lessons and given me an insight into the competitive nature of government contracting.
I spend almost a decade working with the homeless as a volunteer instructor of goal setting, stress management and relapse prevention. I saw people with very little keep their eyes on the prize and overcome obstacles I couldnt have imagined getting past. I saw hundreds of these men and women get back to work, reunify with their families and get past addiction and criminal justice challenges. So that experience helps me keep my challenges in perspective.
Please tell us about Rowe Policy + Media.
I am known as a cannabis policy expert. I have worked very hard on youth incarceration, school to prison pipeline and reentry projects as well. I am in my fifth year teaching criminal justice and drug policy at UCLA which has kept my information base fresh and smart.
I am a “what if why not” thinker and that has given me the chance to help associations and jurisdictions to approach problems from a fresh perspective. Getting them to implement innovation is another challenge, but I am also a good motivator with a sense of humor so that has helped me get some issues and reforms to the top of the pile.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Sitting with my grandfather at the lake. He was a great listener and always asked provocative questions. He was measured in his responses and was a source of loving-kindness and compassion. The summers up at the lake were always a refresher from the day to day in Milwaukee where I grew up. Nice to hear the loons at night and to gather the family around the campfire as well.
Pricing:
- Qualitative analysis and interviewing $125/hr (free initial consult)
- Quantitative analysis and data collection $150/hr (free initial consult)
- Consulting and problem solving $100/hr (free initial consult)
Contact Info:
- Website: rowepolicymedia.com
- Phone: 213-500-8170
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Videographer and Producers Jacob Strunk and Noam Dromi
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