View Charter Founders Jim Barrett Board Chair, National Charter Schools Institute Jim Barrett served for 32 years as President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and Advocate for Private enterprise in the legislative, regulatory, political and judicial process. Jim was named by the Michigan Political Historical Society in 2003 as the most effective […]
Board of Advisors
Derrell Bradford – Bio
View Board of Advisors View Charter Founders Derrell Bradford President of 50CAN Derrell Bradford is the president of 50CAN. In his national role, Derrell recruits and trains local leaders across the 50CAN network for roles as CAN executive directors, fellows and YouCAN advocates. He previously served as the executive director at Better Education for Kids. […]
Ricardo Soto – Bio
View Board of Advisors View Charter Founders Ricardo Soto Chief Advocacy Officer and General Counsel at the California Charter School Association (CCSA or Association) Ricardo Soto serves as the Chief Advocacy Officer and General Counsel at the California Charter School Association (CCSA or Association). In his role, Ricardo leads and supports the Government Affairs, Local […]
Roblin Webb – Bio
View Board of Advisors View Charter Founders Roblin Webb Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Prep Charter Schools Roblin Webb, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Prep Charter Schools, has dedicated her life’s work to striving for equality for all people. She realizes that the modern day civil/equal rights struggle lies in providing a quality […]
Chris Barbic – Bio
View Board of Advisors View Charter Founders Chris Barbic Partner with The City Fund Chris Barbic is a partner with The City Fund. He founded YES Prep Public Schools (winner of the very first Broad Prize for the best charter organization in the nation) and was most recently the founding superintendent of the Achievement School […]
Jim Blew – Bio
View Board of Advisors View Charter Founders Jim Blew Co-Founder, Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies Jim Blew has advocated for education choice and reform since the 1990s, when he served as a founding board member for the Watts Learning Center, an early Los Angeles public charter school. From 2005 to 2014, Jim helped […]
Nina Rees – Bio
View Board of Advisors View Charter Founders Nina Rees President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Nina Rees is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, the leading national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. Prior to joining the […]
Don Cooper – Bio
View Board of Advisors View Charter Founders Don Cooper Assistant Vice President for Charter Schools at Grand Valley State University Don Cooper is the Assistant Vice President for Charter Schools at Grand Valley State University. In that capacity he oversees one of the nation’s largest portfolios of charter public schools. He brings 20 years’ experience […]
Eric Premack – Bio
View Board of Advisors View Charter Founders Eric Premack Founding Director, Charter Schools Development Center Eric Premack is the Executive Director and Founder of the Charter Schools Development Center in Sacramento, California. For over 25 years, Eric has played a leading role in the development and spread of charter schools, including helping to draft and […]
William (Bill) F. Owens – Bio
View Board of Advisors View Charter Founders William (Bill) F. Owens Colorado Governor (1999-2007) Governor William (Bill) F. Owens served as the 40th Governor of Colorado from 1999 to 2007, making education a key priority focus. Owens previously served as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from 1982 until 1988, and as a State […]
