What is a wonk?

At OMB Watch, we think of wonks as policy experts. Our wonks are passionate about the inner workings of the federal government. They spend their days advocating for improvements to government operations — improvements that will allow the government to protect and serve the American public.

Our wonks work hard to advance the public interest, but that work requires resources. Learn what an OMB Watch wonk can do for you, and then "adopt" your favorite wonk by donating to OMB Watch on behalf of their work.

Here's how:

• Explore the videos below. Hear what our wonks are doing for you!
• Donate to OMB Watch by "adopting" your favorite wonk! All contributions are tax-deductible and will help our wonks continue the work that they do for you and for our nation.
  • Donate to Matt Madia
  • Donate to Lee Mason
  • Donate to Sean Moulton
  • Donate to Gary Therkildsen

Matt Madia, our star Regulatory Policy Analyst, began working at OMB Watch in 2006. A graduate of Penn State University, Matt has yet to grow accustomed to the DC summers and can regularly be found complaining incessantly about the down-South humidity.

When he’s not complaining about the heat, you’re likely to find him cooking up non-hippie meals or aggressively enjoying televised sporting events.

Matt is also dedicated to the development of a regulatory system that serves the American people's best interests. "Few care about regulation until it's too late," he says. "The BP oil spill comes to mind, as does the April mine explosion in West Virginia that killed 29 miners. We’ve got to change that. It’s a steep hill to climb, but one worth climbing."

Matt regularly provides insight into the regulatory process from a public interest perspective. He has appeared in national media outlets including The Washington Post, NPR, and NBC Nightly News.

Adopt Matt

Lee Mason was born and raised in Washington, DC. The Director of the Nonprofit Speech Rights program at OMB Watch, Lee's job is to expand the rights of nonprofits nationwide so that American citizens have the power to advocate on their own behalf. He is currently working to advance the Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act of 2010.

Back in the day, Lee served with the finest as a DC firefighter. Those job skills must have carried over into his current position, as we often find him in his office, well past 6 p.m., fearlessly taming the fires of injustice.

An avid consumer of any and all seafood, he enjoys leisurely Saturday evenings on his patio with blue crabs and Corona. A fan of the musical stylings of Kate Bush and George Duke, Lee will never say no to a night of live music at Blues Alley here in the District.

Before joining OMB Watch, Lee worked as the Director of Public Policy and Community Relations of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. He is a graduate of the University of the District of Columbia and New Hampshire College, and he's just about one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.

Adopt Lee

Sean Moulton serves as the Director of Federal Information Policy at OMB Watch. Alongside his team, Sean is currently analyzing the Obama administration's implementation of the Open Government Directive, advocating for greater accountability of federal agencies through transparency.

A New Jersey native, Sean now splits his time between Washington, DC, and Philadelphia. When not enjoying his wife’s stellar home cooking, he enjoys exploring the vast array of available international foods because it feels "like traveling without the hassle of airport security."

A life-long Red Sox fan, Sean considers his continued dedication to the team proof of the benefits to be gained from decades of commitment to any one thing – like government openness, for example. When not in the office until 11 p.m., you're likely to find Sean playing video games with his kids or watching Glee with his wife. It should also be noted that Sean has seen the cast of Glee live in concert. Twice.

Before joining OMB Watch, Sean worked as a Tax Policy Analyst at Friends of the Earth and as a research fellow and contract employee with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Adopt Sean

Gary Therkildsen works as a Federal Fiscal Policy Analyst at OMB Watch. He has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Finance from Mount St. Mary's University and a Master's in History and Public Policy from George Washington University.

A former member of the Capitol Police Force, Gary now uses his policing skills for a new purpose – to keep the federal budget in line.

Unlike most, Gary has welcomed the Washington summer heat with open arms, with running on the National Mall in upwards of 90-degree weather being one of his favorite pastimes. Gary is a life-long Baltimore Orioles fan, an avid blog reader, and, most importantly, just about the best-dressed policy analyst at OMB Watch.

Currently, Gary is exploring the federal government's lease and royalty payment system for offshore drilling, as well as pushing for a reinstatement of an equitable estate tax. He hopes that his work will help to demystify the aura of complexity surrounding the inner workings of the federal government and, ultimately, to help citizens to become more involved in the issues that affect them most.

Adopt Gary