Keynote Speakers
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Opening General Session Keynote Speaker
Ed Gerety
Ed Gerety is one of the top professional youth speakers and leadership trainers in the United States. He has spoken to audiences in all 50 states, Canada, and Europe reaching over one million people and counting. An experienced keynote speaker and leadership trainer at national youth leadership conferences, colleges and universities, and schools across the country, Ed is recognized for his unique ability to connect with audiences about real issues. Through his personal experiences, humor, and insights Ed teaches the principles and skills that are essential to the development of leaders. His powerful programs leave a lasting impact.
Ed is the author of Combinations: Opening the Door to Student Leadership and a contributing author of four books on leadership and personal development. He currently serves on the National Board of Directors for the National Speakers Association. The National Speakers Association awarded Ed their highest earned designation, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), an honor held by less than 10% of speakers who belong to the International Federation of Professional Speakers. Ed lives in New Hampshire with his wife and two children.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Second General Session Keynote Speaker
Mark Scharenbroich
Mark Scharenbroich, is a native Minnesotan who has spoken to more than 3,500 audiences, earned an Emmy award, and been inducted into the National Speakers Hall of Fame. His motivational style, unconventional approach, knockout humor, and personal stories with universal appeal all focus on the relationship side of creating results, connecting people to people, administration to faculty, team member to team member, educator to student, and student to student.
Mark has built his speaking career by working in both education and business, discovering how some of the best organizations and leaders build a culture that encourages people to perform at a higher level. Mark is known for his ability to connect with an audience through his quick wit, powerfully inspiring stories and concrete ideas on how to improve a school’s climate. He has been recognized by his peers in the speaking profession as one of the very top in the field.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Third General Session Keynote Speaker
Byron Garrett
Byron 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 the 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). 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.
Garrett is a noted columnist and author of several books including The ABC's of Life. An accomplished speaker and highly sought after leadership consultant, Garrett also serves as CEO of Life Works International, which has provided him opportunities to reach youth and adults across the globe in 46 states, the Caribbean, and Africa.