Ray Simon Joins Education Team at B&D; Consulting

Ray Simon Joins Education Team at B&D; Consulting

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Raymond J. Simon, former Deputy Secretary in the U.S. Department of Education and distinguished educator, has joined B&D; Consulting as a senior advisor with the firm's elementary and secondary education practice team.

Simon has 44 years of education experience, working across all levels of the education delivery system from the classroom to the federal government. Prior to serving in Washington, D.C., Simon was the Chief State School Officer in Arkansas for six years. He also served as superintendent of the Conway School District in Arkansas from 1991 to 1997.

"Ray is an innovative education leader with proven ability to drive large-scale school reform," said M. René Islas, a Vice President at B&D; Consulting and leader of the firm's elementary and secondary education team.

"With years of experience as a teacher, administrator and policy expert, Ray truly is at the nexus of sound policy and educational practice," Islas added. "He will be an important contributor in both our school improvement and policy development services."

"I am excited to join the team at B&D; Consulting," said Simon. "Their school reform efforts incorporate a systems approach rather than focusing on a single or narrow area of improvement. They believe, as do I, that only a systems approach, which demands excellence for all children at every level of learning, will lead to sustained achievements in teaching and learning."

A native of Conway, AR, Simon began his career as a mathematics teacher at North Little Rock High School. He also was Director of School Food Services and Director of Computer Services at North Little Rock until moving back to Conway to serve as Assistant Superintendent for Finance. In addition, Simon has been an adjunct professor for both educational technology and school finance at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Simon and his wife were honored by the Conway School District Board of Education in 2006 with the naming of the Raymond and Phyllis Simon Intermediate School. He received bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics from the University of Central Arkansas and holds an educational specialist degree in school administration from the University of Arkansas.

B&D; Consulting's education team — which includes educators, students, former administrators, educational entrepreneurs, policy leaders and school-reform experts — helps create the pathway for opportunities and innovation in federal, state and local education policies. Service areas include assisting schools with developing and implementing high-impact, research-based school improvement strategies and working with organizations to impact education policy.

B&D; Consulting is a national advisory and advocacy firm based in Washington, D.C. since 1985. The firm's professionals serve clients across key sectors, advancing their objectives within increasingly complex policy environments. Whether developing a business or advancing a mission, the B&D; Consulting team has the multi-faceted skills to help clients succeed. B&D; Consulting is a division of the international law firm of Baker & Daniels LLP. For more information about B&D; Consulting or Baker & Daniels, visit www.bakerdconsulting.com or www.bakerdaniels.com.