John Obzud is the author of Politics from the Cheap Seats. His credentials are grounded in education and life experience, growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania with a lifelong interest in politics, government and management. 

He earned a BA in Political Science in 1973 from Lycoming College in Williamsport , PA. In 1978  he earned a Master's Degree in Urban Planning and Policy Analysis from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. After relocating to Maryland, he ran for a Bel Air City Council position. He did not win but began his career in the Bel Air’s Planning and Community Development Department where he ultimately became Director. During this time he also attended the University of Baltimore Law School  at night, and graduated in 1984 and passed both the Maryland and DC Bars in 1985.

In 1986, He moved into the private sector with First National Bank of Maryland as in house counsel in the  Real Estate Mortgage Division. His experience in law,  real estate and lending led him to the real estate transaction services business where he served in a number of executive management positions with Fortune 500 companies, ending his last 25 years with Fidelity National Financial. He retired in 2023 and now lives in Miramar Beach, FL with his wife Cindy and no dogs at the moment. However, they continue to spend time in PA to stay close to his small town roots and, of course, the Cheap Seats.