Rene Townsend, former superintendent for ten years, is executive director of the Urban Education Dialog (UED) and Public School Services (PSS), nonprofit organizations founded by Price Charities. PSS has a mission of reducing the price of goods and services to all public school districts; UED is a forum to confront challenges facing urban school districts and exchange best practices. With seven other superintendents, Townsend coauthored Eight at the Top; they are working on book two, offering more leadership insights for superintendents. Townsend received her bachelor of science from the University of Washington, her master's from San Diego State University, and her doctorate from Northern Arizona University. She serves on the national boards of Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR).
James R. Brown was a superintendent for twenty-six years, preceded by various administrative positions and his first love, teaching history. While serving as superintendent, he chaired two major task forces, the California State Mathematics and the California High School Exit Exam. Jim is Deputy Executive Director of the Bay Area School Reform Collaborative (BASRC), and he serves on three community and education boards. Jim received his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, his masters from the University of Kansas, and did graduate work in Education Administration at the University of Riverside. He is the recipient of a number of awards, including California State Superintendent of the Year in 1999, and the Marcus Foster Award in 2004. He has also served as President of the Suburban School Superintendents national group. Jim and his wife, Kathe, a librarian, have three grown sons.
Dr. Walter L. Buster is a professor of leadership at Fresno State University and a creator of the Central Valley Educational Leadership Forum. In addition to his service as a superintendent for nineteen years in three California districts, Walt was a teacher at the elementary and secondary levels, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent. Recently Walt stepped forward to serve as interim superintendent of the Fresno Unified School District, calming the district in a time of political and financial turmoil. Walt’s other leadership activities include leading the Executive Leadership Academy and the Association of California School Administrators Academy. He serves on the national education advisory boards for IBM and Microsoft, and is on the board of West Ed. His bachelor’s degree is from Westmont College, his masters from Chapman College, and his doctorate from the University of Montana. Walt and his wife, Susan, an artist, have two children and one grandchild.
