Byron V. Garrett possesses the same vision and passion that drove the PTA founders to speak up for every child for the first time. Throughout his career, he has been an agent of progress—valuing people of varying perspectives and backgrounds, and promoting the idea that everyone has an obligation and opportunity to serve the best interests of our youth.
He 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 the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency (part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security). Prior to this, Garrett was a national program leader at 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 7,000,000 participants.
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 Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano; 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, including the Commission on Service and Volunteerism and the Statewide Youth Development Task Force. Garrett is also a former K-8 school principal.
Formerly, Garrett served as a columnist for the Arizona Informant and author of several books including The ABC’s of Life. An accomplished speaker, Garrett has delivered presentations in 46 states, the Caribbean, and Africa.
He was born, raised, and attended public schools in the Carolinas. He holds a bachelor’s degree in human relations from High Point University, a master’s in organizational management from the University of Phoenix, and has completed doctoral coursework at Pepperdine University in their educational leadership, administration, and management program.
With a passion for challenging thoughts, changing minds, and offering the courage to commit, Byron provides a very real message for real times.
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