History

Benjamin Deitchman was the founding President of the Public Policy Graduate Students Association (PPGSA) at the Georgia Institute of Technology and graduated from the School of Public Policy in 2014.  He has since worked at the Rochester Institute of Technology and the Georgia Public Service Commission, where he is now the Assistant Director of the Electric Unit. He is currently involved in the community with Trees Atlanta, as an elementary school room parent, and as a youth sports coach.  He is the author of “Climate and Clean Energy Policy: State Institutions and Economic Implications” and his next book should be available in 2025.

Wes Staley was the founding Vice President of the Public Policy Graduate Student Association (PPGSA) at Georgia Institute of Technology.

Wes is a highly skilled Information Technology and Management professional with over two decades of experience spanning IT consulting, risk management, and business process improvement. Currently serving as a Section Chief for a Data and Technology team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Wes specializes in streamlining risk management processes, developing custom IT solutions, and driving strategic goals through automation and data-driven insights.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Wes brings a disciplined, mission-driven approach to his work, ensuring high-quality outcomes across projects. He holds a Master of Science in Public Policy from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Biology, cum laude, from Kennesaw State University.

The Fall 2024-Spring 2025 administration, headed by President Marquise’ Collins, was responsible for the creation of an official PPGSA website and social media, the implementation of monthly student highlights, the coordination of monthly town hall meetings for the entire school of public policy, the conducting of stipend reports for the student body, and the generation of a live calendar for the School of Public Policy.