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Chris Minnich assumed the role of executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) in December 2012. Chris has worked at CCSSO since 2008, when he was hired to direct the Council’s standards program—the work that would later become the Common Core State Standards (Common Core). In 2009 he assumed the role of strategic initiative director of standards, assessment, and accountability, leading the development and adoption of the Common Core in 45 states. In 2010 Minnich became the senior membership director, serving as the lead contact for all 57 of CCSSO’s members. In the last two years Minnich has led the Council’s advocacy and communications teams in rallying states to collaboratively reform their standards and accountability systems. His efforts have been invaluable in advancing the national implementation of the Common Core and cultivating essential cooperation between states and the federal government to improve education for all students. Minnich has an extensive background in assessment and accountability work. In 2005–08 he held multiple positions at Harcourt (now Pearson), all focused on the advancement and improvement of assessments. Minnich led the development and deployment of a teacher-centered online portal focused on assessment education. As the director of test design and implementation at the Oregon Department of Education in 2003–05, Minnich led statewide online assessment implementation. Minnich holds a bachelor of science in political science from the University of Washington, Seattle, as well as a master of public policy from the University of Maryland, College Park. Minnich lives in Alexandria, VA, with his wife, Whitney, and his son, Carson.

Don Erickson is a Chief Executive Officer at Security Industry Association. He has worked as Director:Govt Affairs at Security Industry Association and Legislative Director at Organization For The Promotion & Advancement of Small Telecommunications Cos.