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Lewis Takes Helm at International Society for Technology in Education

• By David Nagel
• 06/23/12

In advance of the ISTE 2012 conference taking place this week in San Diego, the International Society for Technology in Education named Brian Lewis as its next chief executive officer. Lewis's term will commence when current, long-time CEO Don Knezek steps down in September.

ISTE is a trade organization representing some 100,000 education professionals involved in education technology. Its activities include political advocacy, professional development, information dissemination, and standards development. The organization publishes the NETS-T, NETS-S, and NETS-A digital literacy standards for teachers, students, and administrators. It also works to advocate policies to expand the use of technology in schools.

According to the group, Lewis "joins ISTE following a distinguished 25-year career in both the public and private sectors, as an association leader in a number of non-profit organizations, education advocate and reformer, and as an elected school board member. He is well known as a strategist, collaborator and communicator who engages and honors colleagues and stakeholders." Lewis was previously chief strategy officer and interim CEO for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and has also served as executive director of the California Association of School Business Officials and as director of governmental relations for the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, according to information released by ISTE.

"Our very future depends on how we address the issues of merging technology and instruction, and ensuring that all students have access to the tools that transform their educational experience and, ultimately, their lives. I can't imagine a better time or place to be taking on this important effort, working with ISTE's exceptional volunteer leaders, staff and partners," said Lewis, in a statement released last week. "It's an honor and a privilege to be a part of this extraordinary organization at this pivotal moment."

"These are exciting times for ISTE's mission--to advance excellence in learning and teaching through innovative and effective uses of technology. We are so pleased to have a seasoned leader and visionary like Brian Lewis to work with our board and staff to lead ISTE into the future," said Holly Jobe, ISTE president, also in a prepared statement.

ISTE's 2012 conference is taking place in San Diego this week. Lewis will reportedly be introduced to attendees at an opening session at the event. Further details can be found on ISTE's site or on ISTE's conference site.