People on the Move

Curtiss Barnes Named New 1EdTech CEO

• By Rhea Kelly
• 06/04/24

1EdTech, the non-profit community partnership of education providers, government organizations, and ed tech suppliers working toward an open, trusted, and innovative digital learning ecosystem, has appointed education technology leader Curtiss Barnes as CEO. He will succeed longtime 1EdTech CEO Dr. Rob Abel, who announced his retirement last year.

With more than 30 years of education industry experience under his belt, Barnes has served in leadership roles at universities, technology startups, and enterprise businesses, including education-focused positions at Argos Education, Pearson, Cengage Learning, and Oracle. He was also a member of 1EdTech's (IMS Global at the time) board of directors from 2007 to 2008 and from 2010 to 2011.

"1EdTech's profound impact on ed tech standards over the last two decades is a direct result of the dynamic community and collaborations it has fostered," said Barnes. "I am excited to build on that legacy. 1EdTech is well positioned to provide leadership that reduces barriers to innovation, informs product-market fit, and improves time-to-market for all the entities in the ecosystem to help scale learning impact."

"Curtiss is a proven leader with a passion for the 1EdTech's mission of powering learner potential," said Melissa Loble, 1EdTech board chair. "We are excited to see the new heights his expertise will take this organization and the impact we will make worldwide."

"My gratitude and thanks go out to our many supporters worldwide who have enabled unparalleled growth and impact from our organization during my tenure as CEO," said Abel. "I'm confident I am leaving 1EdTech, the staff and its members, in good hands with Curtiss. He has the knowledge, skills and passion to take the organization where it needs to go next." Abel will stay on through July 15 to ease the leadership transition.