California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently appointed Gentian Droboniku, an alum and Adjunct Professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy, to a senior role at the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
Droboniku, who earned a Master of Public Policy (MPP) in 2010, has spent much of his career as a researcher and data specialist for several California agencies that handle the state’s finances, from the California Public Employees Retirement System to the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission. He’s also been an Adjunct Professor at the Price School since 2017, teaching courses in statistics and financial management and budgeting.
We caught up with Droboniku – now the Chief Deputy Director of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration – to discuss his new role and how the Price School has helped him along the way. His answers were lightly edited for length and clarity.
How does it feel to be appointed by the governor?
Being appointed by the governor is truly the greatest honor of my life. It is both a tremendous responsibility and immense joy. Honestly, my feet have not quite touched the ground yet.
I now have the privilege of helping lead a department that collects and distributes close to $100 billion every year to California’s state government, cities, and counties. Equally meaningful is the opportunity to continue working alongside some of the brightest and most dedicated public servants I have ever known.
Tell me about your role. What will you be in charge of overseeing?
I work closely with our director, deputy directors, and leadership team to continually improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations. A big part of my job is people; organizations are nothing without them. That means attracting, training, developing, and retaining top talent, and making sure our people are matched to the right tasks so they can succeed.
I also want to hear directly from people – from our team members, from taxpayers, and from local governments – and listen to their ideas on how we can do our job better. Clear, accessible communication is another priority: making sure our guidance and instructions are easy to understand for everyone. Our taxpayers include some of the largest companies in the world, but also small mom-and-pop stores. Serving such a diverse group fairly and effectively means meeting people where they are and providing the right support for their needs.
What do you see as the top issues/priorities related to California’s tax collection system?
The people of California and our taxpayers, wherever they are, are entitled to a fair, efficient, and effective tax system. One of my top priorities is to continually improve the tax collection process, making it simpler, more transparent, and more efficient for both taxpayers and the state and local governments.
I also help implement initiatives from our Director, the Secretary, and the Governor, making sure our department aligns with their vision and priorities. I’m equally focused on our day-to-day work and reaching out to people and making sure our team members have the tools and resources they need, and that we deliver excellent customer service to taxpayers and all those we serve.
What got you interested in government finances?
I think one of most important social contracts we have is that people contribute some of their resources, in the form of taxes and fees, in return for public goods like education, roads, and healthcare and public safety, as noted in the writing of some of the most famous political and economic thinkers such as Thomas Hobbs, John Lock, and Rousseau. That exchange is the foundation of how we live together as a society.
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Find Out MoreWhat fascinates me about government finance is that it sits right at the center of turning vision and ideas of better public services into reality. It’s where policy meets practice. The way we collect and distribute revenue has a direct impact on people’s lives every single day. It’s not abstract; it is classrooms being funded, hospitals being staffed, small businesses being supported, and communities being kept safe.
What did you gain from studying at USC Price?
What drew me to USC Price was the way it bridges theory with practice, and policy with reality. The professors and instructors don’t just prepare you to write papers. They prepare you to address real-world problems with real tools.
What really stood out to me was the personal commitment of the faculty, all of them, but I have to especially mention (Associate Professor) Juliet Musso, my graduate advisor. She was and is an amazing teacher and coach. The faculty took the time to guide and mentor us, not only while we were students, but even after graduation. The relationship between USC and its students doesn’t end at commencement; if anything, it grows stronger. That lifelong connection and support has been tremendously valuable for me, both professionally and personally.
How do you like teaching at Price?
I absolutely love teaching and feel very grateful for the opportunity to help educate the next generation of leaders. Every semester, I’m amazed by how smart, dedicated, and curious our students are. Sometimes students reach out to me and tell me how they used some of the tools we learned in class to improve their work and that inspires me and makes me very proud.
One of the things I enjoy most is that a lot of what I teach in the classroom connects directly to the work I do every day. That allows me to show students not just the concepts, but also their practical application.
I just feel really lucky. Getting to serve the people of California and, at the same time, teach and learn from students at one of the best universities in the world, that’s not something I never take for granted. There are still times I have to pinch myself.
