Luke Gordy, the first executive director of Arkansans for Education Reform Foundation (AERF), has retired from the post, effective June 30, 2013.
Gary Newton, whom Gordy recruited in 2012 to create Arkansas Learns, the private sector alliance dedicated to excellent education for all students, has been named to also serve as president and CEO of AERF.
Gordy joined AERF in 2005 after a 22-year career in banking. He was a nine-year member and two-term chairman of the Arkansas State Board of Education.
“It has been both an honor, as well as a labor of love, to lead Arkansans for Education Reform over these past eight years,” said Gordy. “The opportunity Messrs. (Jim) Walton, (Walter) Hussman, (Claiborne) Deming, (Steve) Stephens, and now (Bill) Dillard (III) have given me to have what I hope has been a positive impact on the lives of Arkansas school children will never be forgotten.”
The Walton Family Foundation is the principal funder of AERF.
While reluctantly accepting Gordy’s resignation, the board also voted to invite him to continue his service as a member. Said Gordy, “I am also extremely excited and appreciative to continue a level of involvement in educational policy development and strategy.”
Major accomplishments during Gordy’s tenure include significant improvements in student, teacher, school and district assessment and accountability, growth of open enrollment public charter school options, and expansion of choice for Arkansas parents and children.
Newton, the former executive vice president of the Little Rock Regional Chamber, assumes additional management responsibilities for AERF following the successful start-up of Arkansas Learns.
“It remains a privilege to be mentored by Luke Gordy, a selfless champion of the best interests of students,” said Newton. “I was honored and humbled by the opportunity to launch and lead Arkansas Learns, so I am especially grateful for the board’s confidence in this expanded role in what I believe to be the greatest public issue of our time.”
For more information, visit ArkansasLearns.org.