A Powerhouse Line-up of Featured Keynote Speakers

We are excited to feature world-renowned speakers Daniel James Brown, author of Boys in the Boat and Ed Viesturs, a world-class mountain climber. Their messages are certain to inspire ESD Board members, superintendents and educational leaders throughout the state as we launch the next 50 years of outstanding service and commitment.

Daniel James Brown, Author of “Boys in the Boat”

Daniel James Brown is the acclaimed author of Boys in the Boat, the true story of the epic quest for gold for the 1936 Olympic eight oar rowing team from the University of Washington. His book spent over two years on the New York Times bestseller list.

Brown grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Arts degree from the University of California at Los Angeles. Brown taught writing at San Jose State University and Stanford University before becoming a technical writer and editor.^[1] He now writes narrative nonfiction full-time. His primary interest as a writer is in bringing compelling historical events to life as vividly and accurately as possible.

Brown lives in the countryside outside of Seattle. When he is not writing, he is likely to be birding, gardening, fly fishing, reading American History or chasing bears away from the beehives.

Ed Viesturs, World-class mountain climber

Ed Viesturs, a world-class mountain climber, helps audiences learn how to overcome obstacles by discussing the lessons he learned as professional mountaineer with over 30 years of experience on the highest peaks in the world. The seven time Everest summiteer shows audiences how to reach higher goals, maintain momentum in the face of hardship and stay at the top of their game. His speeches are based on his experiences and lessons learned in the mountain arena.

Viesturs is widely regarded as this country’s foremost high-altitude mountaineer. He is familiar to many from the 1996 IMAX Everest Expedition documentary and was featured in Jon Krakauer’s bestselling book INTO THIN AIR. In 2002, Ed was awarded the historic Lowell Thomas Award by the Explorer’s Club for outstanding achievement in the field of mountaineering. In winning the award, he joined an elite group of climbers including Sir Edmund Hillary.

Viesturs has successfully reached the summits of all of the world’s fourteen 8000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen, an 18 year project he christened Endeavor 8000. His goal was completed on May 12, 2005 with his ascent of Annapurna one of the world’s most treacherous peaks. He is one of only a handful of climbers in history (and the only American) to accomplish this. That year Viesturs was awarded National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year.

Viesturs is the author of four books. His bestselling autobiography “No Shortcuts To The Top” covers, in detail, his career as a mountaineer, how he prepared for his expeditions and his philosophy about how he managed the inherent risks.

Jennifer Huffman, National Rowing Champion and granddaughter of Joe Rantz from Boys in the Boat

Jennifer Huffman, granddaughter of 1936 Olympic Gold Medalist Joe Rantz from The Boys in the Boat, started rowing at the age of 38.

Today, her rowing accomplishments include:

• National Champion in three events at US Rowing Masters Nationals in Oakland, CA
• Winning five events and medaling in another five at FISA Masters World Regatta in Sarasota, FL
• Second place finish in the Women’s Senior Masters 50+ Eights to the 1991 Gold Medal Canadian Olympic 8+ at Head of the Charles in Boston, MA.

In her “free” time, Jennifer enjoys coaching competitive gymnastics, which she has done for the past 28 years.

Watch a video of Jennifer talking about carrying on her grandfather’s legacy.

Chris Reykdal, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Chris Reykdal was born and raised in Snohomish, Washington as the youngest of eight children. He has served as a high school history teacher, local school board member, state legislator, and budget and policy executive for our state’s community and technical college system. Chris has dedicated his entire career to public education, and he is currently serving in his first term as the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Chris and his wife, Kim, live in historic Tumwater with their two children, Carter and Kennedy.

Chris graduated summa cum laude from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in social studies, a geology minor, and a teaching certificate. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill. In his role as the State Superintendent, Chris also serves on the State Board of Education, Workforce Training and Education Board, and the State Board of Natural Resources.

Chris leads a team at OSPI that is working hard to open multiple pathways to high school graduation including expanded technical education opportunities. Additionally, OSPI has transformed the state’s accountability system through critical policy and budget changes.

Online Registration – Closes April 5th

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