NASBE Membership Elects New Leaders to Its Board of Directors

Alexandria, Va. — The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) is pleased to announce the election of new leaders to its board of directors. Keven Ellis, a member of the Texas State Board of Education, became NASBE’s board chair at the close of the organization’s Annual Conference and business meeting in October. Byron Ernest, a member of the Indiana State Board of Education, was chosen as NASBE’s chair-elect and begins this term on the board immediately. Ernest previously served on NASBE’s board as its 2020 chair and will become NASBE board chair at the close of its 2025 Annual Conference next October. Maine board chair Fern Desjardins is serving the final year of her second term as NASBE’s secretary-treasurer.

The membership also elected regional officers to NASBE’s 2024–25 board.

• Steven Isoye, Illinois (Central Area director, two-year term)
• Matt Hymas, Utah (Western Area director, two-year term)
• Elizabeth Tegtmeier, Nebraska (New Member Representative, one-year term)

These individuals will join Matt W. Donaldson of Georgia and Erin D. Benham of Connecticut, who are completing their final year as Southern and Northeastern Area directors respectively, as well as immediate past chair Sarah Moore of Arkansas. Rachel Bosovich (Iowa), who is the newly elected chair of National Council of State Education Attorneys, will serve as an ex officio member of NASBE’s board; McCall Flynn (Montana) will continue to serve on the board as representative of the National Council of State Board of Education Executives.

“NASBE is dedicated to supporting state boards as they carry out their unique and critically important work in public education. It’s inspiring to see leaders from state boards across the country come together, collaborate, and focus on the shared goal of improving education for all students,” said Keven Ellis. “As NASBE’s new board chair, I look forward to strengthening connections among state board leaders, ensuring that the experiences and lessons we share inform state policies that drive student success.”

“My first experience with NASBE was at the New Member Institute in 2015. The event immediately hooked me—it was well-organized, the content was highly relevant, and I could directly apply what I learned to my work in Indiana,” said Byron Ernest. “That experience truly reflected NASBE’s deep commitment to serving individuals from its member states in a complex education landscape and helping them improve public education for students of all backgrounds. I’m excited to contribute to and help lead those efforts.”

“NASBE’s board of directors plays a vital role in advancing our mission of developing, supporting, and empowering state boards to embrace their responsibility as citizen leaders—strengthening education systems so all students can succeed,” said NASBE President and CEO Paolo DeMaria. “I’m excited about the energy and commitment of our board as we work together to enhance member engagement and collaboration, ensuring that NASBE continues to provide valuable support to state boards across the country.”

NASBE serves as the only membership organization for state boards of education. A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, NASBE elevates state board members’ voices in national and state policymaking, facilitates the exchange of informed ideas, and supports members in advancing equity and excellence in public education for students of all races, genders, and circumstances. Learn more at www.nasbe.org.

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