Vernon M. Billy to Lead California School Boards Association as New Executive Director
West Sacramento, Calif. – The California School Boards Association announced today the appointment of Vernon M. Billy, a veteran and respected entrepreneur, policy consultant and education advocate, as its new executive director.
“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.”
With nearly two decades of experience in education policy and advocacy, Billy brings to the association a wealth of knowledge of statewide education issues. As a former partner in K Street Consulting LLC, a policy and advocacy firm, as well as extensive work with school districts such as San Francisco Unified School District, Billy understands the challenges school districts and county offices of education currently face.
“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.”
Region 9 CSBA Director Chris Ungar, a board member in the San Luis Coastal Unified School District and member of the CSBA’s interview and selection committee, praised the choice of Billy as executive director.
“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.”
Kevin Gordon, president of School Innovations & Advocacy and a former assistant executive director at CSBA said, "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."
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.”
Sacramento County Board of Education Trustee Brian Cooley stated, "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."
Billy is no stranger to the organization. From 1994-2000, he worked as an advocate for CSBA’s governmental relations department. Since then, he served as a vice president of School Innovations & Advocacy, an education services company, as a cabinet member for San Francisco USD and chief lobbyist for several school districts throughout the state. Billy is also a veteran of the United States Air Force.
After conducting a comprehensive compensation study and engaging outside counsel to examine compensation data, CSBA’s board of directors set the executive director’s base salary at a level lower than it had been in 2007 and eliminated numerous fringe benefits provided to the association’s previous executive director. Billy will receive an annual salary of $232,000 and the standard benefits provided to all CSBA employees. Additional information is available on CSBA’s financial accountability webpage at www.csba.org.
For more information, please contact Brittany McKannay, public information officer, at (916) 669-3244.