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One of the most compelling voices of our time, Byron V. Garrett became Chief Executive Officer of the National PTA in June of 2008. As CEO, Byron provides leadership for staff working in partnership with volunteer leadership to steward the nation’s largest child advocacy association composed of more than five million members around the globe. Throughout his career, he has been a visionary agent of change promoting the idea that everyone has an obligation and opportunity to serve the best interests of our nation’s most precious resource – children.
Byron brings to PTA a unique combination of experience from both the non-profit and governmental sectors, most recently serving as the chief of staff for the Office of Public Affairs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security). Prior to this, Garrett served as national program leader for the National 4-H Headquarters at the U.S. Department of Agriculture—overseeing three mission areas (healthy living; citizenship; and science, engineering, and technology) for the program’s seven million participants and 90,000 clubs. While at USDA he was appointed by The White House as co-convener of the Helping America’s Youth initiative, an interagency effort to address challenges facing youth and to promote successful solutions.
Earlier in his career, Garrett spent a decade in Phoenix as an education advocate and community leader. He served as a policy advisor for faith and community initiatives for then Governor Janet Napolitano (currently U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security); prior to that role, he was the director of the governor’s Division for Community and Youth Development, where he administered multiple boards and commissions. Garrett is also a former K-8 school principal.
Formerly, Garrett served as a columnist for the Arizona Informant and is an author of several books including “The ABC’s of Life.” An accomplished speaker, Garrett has delivered presentations all across the U.S., Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. He has also been a guest on MSNBC and the "Dr. Phil Show," and been featured in a number of publications, such as the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and JET Magazine. In 2009, Ebony named Garrett to its “Power 150,” an annual list of “The Most Influential Black Americans.” Garrett is also a board member of the Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, Inc.
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