James (Jim) R. Stone III joined the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education at the Southern Regional Education Board in 2014 as director. In this capacity, he has worked with project-based learning, Teaching to Lead, and other career and technical education initiatives. Prior to SREB, Jim held faculty positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Minnesota and most recently as a distinguished scholar at the University of Louisville. He continues his more than 30-year focus on research and improving policy and practice in career and technical education. He has authored and co-authored more than 100 reports, journal articles and books and has presented more than 350 papers, speeches and workshops, including invited presentations abroad.  His most recent book is College and Career Ready in the 21st Century: Making High School Matter. Jim has served on several national advisory committees.