National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Announces New CEO: Peter C. Groff

Continuing a Distinguished Career in Public Service, Groff Accepts New Position Before an Audience of More than 4,000; Shares his Vision for Charters

WASHINGTON, July 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is pleased to announce that effective July 1, Peter C. Groff is the organization's new president.  Groff assumes the position previously held by Nelson Smith, who announced in February his plans to step down from the CEO role.  Groff's announcement was made on the final day of the 10th annual National Charter Schools Conference, which was held in Chicago and attracted more than 4,000 attendees.  

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"The board of directors is deeply appreciative of Nelson's contributions, and also very excited to have recruited such a high-quality leader to take the helm from him," said Mashea Ashton, board chairman, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.  "Peter has impeccable credentials.  He comes to us with experience as a trusted member of President Obama's administration in the U.S. Department of Education, and he also already established himself as a champion of the charter movement in Colorado. We know he will continue to do great things for children and their families nationwide," said Ashton.

Before joining the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Groff served as the director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U. S. Department of Education.  Prior to accepting that position, Groff was the founder and executive director of the University of Denver's Center for New Politics and Policy (formerly Center for African American Policy), and lectured at the University's Public Policy program.

Groff also served as the 47th president of the Colorado State Senate and was the first African-American in Colorado to hold that post, and only the third African-American in the nation's history to hold the gavel as state Senate president.  Senator Groff, who was called the "Conscience of the Senate," served in the Colorado General Assembly for nine years and passed landmark legislation creating visionary education reform measures, prohibiting racial profiling and requiring booster seats for young children.

"This is an exciting time for the charter sector, and I am excited to be here," said Peter Groff, president and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.  "We are poised to change the face of public education. As the organization continues its work to shape public opinion and influence policy on charter schools, I am committed to ensuring our voice will be a critical part of the education reform discussion."

Born in Chicago, Groff was raised in Denver. He has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Redlands (Calif.), a Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver College of Law and an honorary Ph.D. from the University of Denver.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (http://www.publiccharters.org) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high-performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement. More than 1.5 million students attend nearly 5,000 charter schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia.

SOURCE National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

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