Gene Hickok

In 2001, Gene Hickok joined the George W. Bush Administration as Under Secretary of Education. He became Deputy Secretary in 2003. He was an architect of the No Child Left Behind Act, and was responsible for its implementation. Gene is now Senior Advisor to Whiteboard Advisors, where he advises clients on policy matters.

He has more than a decade of experience in education policy and politics, at every level of government. A former professor of political science and law, Gene began his education service on the local school board. In 1995, then Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge named Gene the state’s Secretary of Education. He held that post for six years and earned a national reputation as a reformer, embracing charter schools, school choice, higher standards for students and teachers, expansive use of technology, and competition.

Gene feels educational entrepreneurship holds the key to improving America’s schools and keeping America competitive globally.  Gene and his wife Kathy have two children and reside in Richmond, Virginia.