Michael Beck
Associate Director
Ph.D., University of Georgia
mbeck@cviog.uga.edu

Prior to joining ICDG in August 2007, Beck served as executive director of the University of Georgia’s Center for International Trade and Security (CITS), part of the School of Public and International Affairs. In that position, Beck oversaw programs on export control, weapons of mass destruction (WMD) security policies, and student training as well as CITS’s business development and strategic-planning initiatives. In addition, Beck was instrumental in launching CITS’s International Export Control Academy. Before becoming executive director of CITS in 2003, Beck was assistant director of CITS from 1998 to 2003.

Beck’s field research and international outreach have taken him to 15 different countries. He brings his intimate understanding of governance challenges in emerging democracies and his proven management of international programs to bear on ICDG.

Beck holds a B.A. in international studies and Russian language from Emory University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Georgia. He speaks fluent Russian and Spanish.

Beck has authored, coauthored, or co-edited more than 20 publications. In addition to presenting at numerous scholarly and governmental conferences and workshops worldwide, he has coordinated and conducted training for domestic and foreign officials, industry representatives, and scientists.

Njeri Marekia-Cleaveland
Public Service Assistant
J.D., University of Florida
njeri@cviog.uga.edu

In addition to her law degree from the University of Florida, Marekia-Cleaveland holds degrees in law (LL.B., University of London), environmental studies (M.A., York University), and environment/biology (B.S., Saint Lawrence University). She has worked as an environmental law and studies lecturer in Kenya. Marekia-Cleaveland is well published on environmental policy issues, including biodiversity, wildlife, land management, and the role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). She has consulted with a variety of organizations, including the government of Kenya, the World Bank, the United Nations, and various NGOs. Marekia-Cleaveland brings significant experience and expertise to ICDG's efforts to expand services into African nations. She continues to research and develop new governance projects there.

Jianfeng Wang
Director of China Governance and Development Program
Ph.D., Western Michigan University
wang@cviog.uga.edu

Wang provides leadership for the China Governance and Development Program at ICDG. He focuses primarily on planning and carrying out training and education programs both in China and the United States, developing new partnerships and training programs in China, and expanding opportunities for University of Georgia faculty members to conduct China-related research. Wang has expertise in comparative analysis of public administrative systems. He also conducts research on state-society relations and the public budgeting process in China. In addition, Wang plays active roles in coordinating and assisting the University of Georgia's China-related activities, including serving as the coleader of the university's first China Study Abroad Program in 2006. He currently is the liaison with the Office of International Education to establish a residential campus in China for University of Georgia students to conduct long-term study there.

Scott Wood
Adjunct Faculty
M.P.A., Georgia Southern University
swood@milledgevillega.us

Wood—who has served as city manager for Milledgeville, Georgia, since March 2005—has provided personnel and human resource management training for ICDG's Sino-American Joint Training Program in Public Administration. This service has taken him to various locations in China, including Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Xining. Additionally, under his leadership, Georgia's Troup County, Bulloch County, and the City of Milledgeville have hosted visiting delegations from China (Sino-American Joint Training Program in Public Administration), Kazakhstan (President's National Academy of Public Administration), and Ukraine (Community Partnership Program). Prior to joining the City of Milledgeville, Wood served as a county manager in Georgia for more than 10 years, including tenures in Bulloch and Troup counties, as mentioned above. In all three locations, he has been a very active contributor to the community. He has participated in the Leadership Georgia Program, the Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce, the Bulloch County Development Authority, various parent-teacher organization programs, the Rotary Club, and the United Way.

Rongrong Liu
China Program Coordinator
M.A., M.S., University of Georgia
liu@cviog.uga.edu

Liu is ICDG's China Program coordinator as well as the executive director of the Georgia China Alliance. As part of the ICDG China Program, Liu communicates with partners and potential partners in China to market and promote business development, training, and education programs. She focuses on planning and carrying out training and education programs both in China and the United States for Chinese delegations. Through her work with the Georgia China Alliance, Liu has organized dozens of functions to provide opportunities for the local Georgia business community to network with guests from China, thereby strengthening business relations between the two—one of the primary goals of the Alliance. A native of Beijing, Liu graduated from the University of Georgia with master's degrees in economics and Internet technology.

Sonja Pruitt
Administrative Assistant
pruitt@cviog.uga.edu

Pruitt provides financial and contract management services for ICDG. In addition, she coordinates and supports management and implementation of the day-to-day operations of international programs and visits to the University of Georgia and the United States.