A thought leader on family engagement, Byron serves as Chairman of the National Family Engagement Alliance (NFEA) and is the former CEO of the National PTA. Byron was the Executive Producer for Inaugural Building a Grad Nation Summit featuring Vice President Joe Biden and serves as a lead strategist for NBC News’ Education Nation. Throughout his career, he has been a visionary agent of change promoting the idea that everyone has an obligation and opportunity to serve the best interests of our nation's most precious resource – children. Byron possesses a unique combination of experience from both the non-profit and governmental sectors. Byron served as the first Chief of Staff for the Office of Public Affairs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security). Prior to this, Garrett served as National Program Leader for the National 4-H Headquarters at the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the program's seven million participants and 90,000 clubs. While at USDA he was appointed by The White House as Co-Convener of the Helping America's Youth initiative, an interagency effort to address challenges facing youth and to promote successful solutions. Earlier in his career, Garrett spent a decade in Phoenix as an education advocate and community leader. He served as Policy Advisor for Faith and Community Initiatives for Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano (current U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security); prior to that role, Byron was the Director of the Governor's Division for Community and Youth Development, where he administered multiple boards and commissions. Garrett is also a former K-8 charter school principal.