LAC officers are Representative Baker of Alabama and Senator Millar of Georgia 

Atlanta, Georgia  — June 30, 2017 — Governor John Bel Edwards of Louisiana will serve a second one-year term as chair of the Southern Regional Education Board. He was re-elected at the organization’s annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Sunday.

Governor Edwards and leads the collaborative work of governors, legislators and state education leaders on SREB’s 80-member Board to improve public education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education. He also serves as chair of SREB’s Teacher Preparation Commission.

Senator Joyce Elliott of Arkansas was elected vice chair. A lifelong educator and advocate for education, Elliott has served actively for a number of years on SREB’s Board, Legislative Advisory Council and special commissions on topics such as early childhood education and college affordability.

Senator Robert H. Plymale of West Virginia was re-elected as treasurer of the Board. A member of the West Virginia legislature since 1993, he has been an SREB Board member since 2003.

SREB Legislative Advisory Council Officers

Representative Alan Baker of Alabama was elected chair of SREB’s Legislative Advisory Council at the group’s annual Legislative Work Conference, held in conjunction with the SREB annual meeting. A former teacher, Baker has been an active SREB member, including serving on commissions on career and technical education and on college affordability. He succeeds state senator Reginald Tate of Tennessee as chair of the group.

State Senator Fran Millar of Georgia was elected vice chair of SREB’s Legislative Advisory Council. The chair of Georgia’s Senate Higher Education Committee, he has served actively with SREB, including commissions on college affordability and early childhood education.

SREB’s Legislative Advisory Council meets regularly to give guidance to Board programs and address current education topics.

“We are grateful for Governor Edwards’ leadership at this important time for the organization and for education in our states” said SREB President Dave Spence. “And the committed support of legislative leaders on education such as Senators Elliott, Plymale, Baker and Millar are at the heart of our work to move all students in our states forward.”

A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, SREB was created in 1948 by Southern governors and legislators who recognized the link between education and economic vitality. Member states are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.