Byron Garrett

Chairman
National Family Engagement Alliance

Throughout his career, Garrett has been a visionary agent of change with promoting the idea that everyone has an obligation and opportunity to serve the best interests of our nation’s most precious resource - children. Byron is a Huff Post blogger and former columnist for Parenting, where he wrote “Parent University” monthly and served on their Editorial Advisory Board. Byron served as a lead strategist and planner for NBC News’ Education Nation and produced the 1st Annual Building a Grad Nation Summit for the America’s Promise Alliance which featured former Vice-President Joe Biden. He is the former CEO of the National PTA. Garrett served as National Program Leader for the National 4-H Headquarters at the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the program’s seven million participants and 90,000 clubs. While at USDA he was appointed by The White House as co-convener of the Helping America’s Youth initiative, an interagency effort to address challenges facing youth and to promote successful solutions. Earlier in his career, Garrett spent a decade in Phoenix as an education advocate and community leader. He served as Policy Advisor for Faith and Community Initiatives for then Governor Janet Napolitano (former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security). Prior to that role, he was the Director of the Governor’s Division for Community and Youth Development where he administered multiple boards and commissions. He was also a K-8 charter school principal.