Robinson tapped to serve as Secretary of Education

African-American is expert on charter schools

Staff Report
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Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell announced today his selection of Gerard Robinson as Virginia’s next Secretary of Education.

Robinson currently serves as the president of the Black Alliance for Educational Options, and began his career as an educator in Los Angeles. He is a nationally recognized expert on the modern charter school movement and serves on the Policy Advisory Council at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and on the board of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Charter School Resource Center.

“Few individuals in America are as committed to providing positive educational opportunities for all our young people, in all our communities, as Gerard Robinson,” McDonnell said. “He understands the issue both personally and professionally. Gerard’s life story, from growing up in a working-class family in Los Angeles to receiving his Master’s degree in Education from Harvard, is an inspiration to us all. He has dedicated his career to helping young people across the country receive the same educational opportunities that were crucial to his own success.”

McDonnell also announced the following additional senior-level appointments to his administration:
– J. Jasen Eige: Counselor and Senior Advisor to the Governor
– John Buckovich: Deputy Secretary of Public Safety
– James S. Cheng: Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade
– Charles James: Deputy Secretary of Administration
– Maureen Matsen: Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources
– Jeannemarie Davis: Director, Virginia Liaison Office (Washington D.C.)
– Thelma Drake: Director, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
– David Paylor: Director, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality