Vernon M. Billy to lead CSBA as its new executive director
Published: May 1, 2011
Vernon M. Billy, a veteran policy consultant and public education advocate in both the public and private sectors, begins work as CSBA’s new executive director May 4th.
Billy is no stranger to the organization. From 1994 to 2000, he worked as a legislative advocate for CSBA’s Governmental Relations Department. Since then, he has served as a vice president of School Innovations & Advocacy Inc., an education services company; as a cabinet member for the San Francisco Unified School District; as chief lobbyist for several school districts throughout the state; and as a partner in K Street Consulting LLC, a policy and advocacy firm. Billy is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
“The board is ecstatic to have Vernon M. Billy join CSBA as our executive director,” said CSBA President Martha Fluor. “His extensive experience in the education and business fields is exactly what the association needs at this time to take it to the next level in terms of service and support to our members.”
Billy said he understands the challenges facing school districts, county offices of education and CSBA itself.
“I am ready to begin working on behalf of CSBA’s membership,” said Billy. “It is a privilege to lead CSBA at a time when I know our members need the association’s services and support more than ever. Within the next 90 days, I will work collaboratively with the board and staff to review the organization’s fiscal and governance structure in order to build on our current strengths and assure our members that we are operating in the most efficient manner possible.”
CSBA Region 9 Director Chris Ungar, a board member in the San Luis Coastal Unified School District and a member of the committee that interviewed executive director candidates, explained what set Billy apart.
“Throughout the interview process, I was very impressed by Vernon’s enthusiasm, his vision and his obvious leadership skills. His passion for the association’s mission is something that all CSBA members should be excited about,” Ungar said.
Independent education experts also praised Billy’s selection.
“Vernon and I have worked together for almost 20 years, and I know that his energy and enthusiasm will be felt across the entire organization,” said Kevin Gordon, president of School Innovations & Advocacy and a former assistant executive director at CSBA.
Patrick Kennedy, first vice president of the board of education for the Sacramento City Unified School District, also expressed support for Billy’s selection.
“CSBA’s selection of Vernon reflects a direction that I strongly support. His experience and talents will serve school boards across the state. In these challenging times, we need the type of leadership Vernon has to offer,” Kennedy said.
Sacramento County Board of Education trustee Brian Cooley agreed.
“CSBA’s selection of Vernon M. Billy as its new executive director is an outstanding choice and a clear indication that the association is looking toward the future. Vernon will be an exceptional leader for the staff and members of CSBA,” Cooley said.
Billy will earn an annual salary of $232,000 and the standard benefits provided to all CSBA employees. Following the resignation of CSBA’s previous executive director last year, the Board of Directors conducted a comprehensive compensation study and engaged outside counsel to examine compensation data. That information guided the board in setting the executive director’s base salary at a level lower than it had been in 2007 and eliminating numerous fringe benefits the executive director had received. Additional information is available on
CSBA’s financial accountability Web page
.