April Manatt is principal of April Manatt Consulting and author of the report “Hear Us Now? A California Survey of Digital Technology’s Role in Civic Engagement and Local Government.” Before participating in a panel on e-government’s future, she revealed that she’s a fan of Rush—and not shy about being a bit of a nerd.

Q. If you could live in any other time, when and where would it be?

A. Now that I’ve learned about some of these interesting technological experiments that local governments are engaging in, it will be fun to see how they turn out. When my children are grown, what kind of a world will they live in? I can’t even imagine seeing what I’ve seen: from a state legislature with no laptops and no cell phones to texting access to people I see on TV and a laptop on every desk.

Q. Describe yourself in five words or less.

A. Cheerful, resourceful, nerdy, pleasant, and kind.

Q. Who were your childhood heroes?

A. I looked up to my parents, of course. I certainly always looked up to Olympians. I always liked the gymnasts back in the day and was kind of fond of ballerinas.

Q. What was the last song you listened to?

A. “Red Barchetta” by Rush.

Q. If you could have a beer with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

A. I’d like to have a beer with Jesus—I’ve got some questions.

*Photo by Brian J. Smeets.