The next phases
After 40 years with universities and consulting firms, I retired. I have started a new phase that is more flexible - more time for social and political issues and more time for myself and my family.
And in fact in 2025 we jumped into Phase II of retirement - moved out of Texas to Virginia. My father’s family starting arriving in Texas before 1820, before Stephen F Austin. So leaving was hard in many ways, but Texas has become strangely negative. This has typically been an optimistic state - wide open. You do what you want and I will do what I want.
A new ethos has taken over. Gov Gregg says - You do what I want or else. He wants to out-Trump Trump. At some point the urban and suburban areas will fight back against his MAGA meglomania, though not in my lifetime. 2025 is a legislative year in Texas - expect the Austin “fun house” to be at its craziest in years.
Beside Virginia, we spend time in DC where I get to be a political tourist, visiting think tanks and my elected officials as well as relatives and friends. And we travel more domestically and internationally.
Contact
PerkinsTexas@msn.com
Interests
Politics and the Economy
Started digging deeper into state and federal legislation, particularly around personal privacy. Interested in politics and the economy, and how they interact with American culture.
Marketing Research / consulting
Continue some involvement with marketing research projects. Experience with custom, primary research, involved with the "front end" design and the "back end" analysis for complex projects.
places to go and things to do
Broad interests in philosophy, religion, history, and psychology. Plus enjoy theater, museums, and music whenever possible. Lots of interesting think tanks to visit in DC.
Angel investing / nonprofit funding
Investing in social impact startups. Review company proposals, conduct due diligence to determine potential, invest, and when appropriate, mentor / work with management.