Funding Group Gets New Executive Director

Back in the day (by which I mean the 1990s), the Committee on Education was a fairly powerful lobbying group led by the unstoppable Susan Frost.  Things have slowed since then -- for a while I thought the organization was defunct.  But now it's got former NEA budget guru Joel Packer at its helm.  We'll see if Packer can revive the group and find education some money in upcoming years. 

CEF selects new Executive Director 

Education expert Joel Packer and The Raben Group to represent CEF 

(Washington, DC)  The Committee on Education Funding (CEF), the largest and oldest coalition of education organizations in the United States, has selected education policy expert Joel Packer to serve as its new Executive Director. 

Mr. Packer is the former director of educational policy and practice at the National Education Association and has more than 34 years of experience representing educators, universities and students before Congress and the Administration.  He recently joined The Raben Group as a principal. 

“I am honored and delighted to have the opportunity to represent an organization that brings together such an impressive collection of educators to advance this important cause,” Mr. Packer said. “An increased federal investment in education is a moral imperative, an economic necessity and critical to our national security.”  

CEF is a nonpartisan and nonprofit coalition of more than 80 education organizations and institutions, both public and private from pre-K through graduate education.  Drawing from a wealth of experience at all education levels, CEF provides information to the public and policy makers so that they understand the need for adequate federal funding of education in the country and increases in the federal investment in our education system. 

“When a group this diverse and passionate speaks with one voice, people notice,” CEF President Jon Fansmith stated. 

CEF’s efforts have had an impact on Capitol Hill.  Thanks in part to its grassroots organizing and strong advocacy campaign, it has garnered bipartisan support for more than $100 billion in increased education funding over recent years. Indeed, this week the House of Representatives included more than $27 billion for education in the Jobs for Main Street Act.  

Mr. Packer and The Raben Group will work with CEF’s elected leaders and members to advance the organization’s goals and to expand its advocacy and coalition efforts on behalf of increased investments for education.