Silver Spring, MD — July 6, 2026 — As education and workforce policy continues to shift at a rapid pace and the demand for skilled talent grows, the state leaders who shape and connect Career Technical Education (CTE) systems have never been more important. Since 1920, Advance CTE has supported those state leaders, and today, the organization is pleased to announce the Board of Directors who will guide that work in the upcoming year.

Representing 13 states across secondary, postsecondary, and workforce systems, this year’s board is stepping into leadership as the field looks to the recently released The Connected Path: A Shared Vision for Opportunity & Empowerment Through CTE (CTE Connects) as a new north star.

“Advance CTE is an invaluable source of support and community for state CTE leaders, and I am deeply honored to now serve as President of the Board of Directors,” stated Jacque Treaster, director of dual enrollment and career & technical education at Montana University System. “CTE and skills-focused education are recognized as central to the success of our learners and our workforce. We now must build more connected, flexible systems where education and industry are true partners. I look forward to working alongside this board and my Montana team to continue advancing high-quality CTE for every learner.”

“As the field rallies around and brings to life our shared vision for the future of Career Technical Education, I could not ask for better partners to ensure every state has the knowledge, resources, and support they need to build connected systems that bring high-quality CTE to every learner,” stated Kate Kreamer, executive director of Advance CTE. “The expertise and passion this board brings is a constant source of inspiration and reflects the very best of our CTE community. It is this depth of leadership that allows Advance CTE to connect leaders, systems, and partners across the education and workforce continuum in a way no other national organization does.”

President: Jacque Treaster, Director of Dual Enrollment and Career & Technical Education, Montana University System

Vice President: Richard Kincaid, Assistant State Superintendent for the Division of College and Career Pathways, Maryland State Department of Education

Secretary/Treasurer: Candi Collier, State CTE Director, Tennessee Department of Education

Past President: Thalea Longhurst, State CTE Director, Utah State Board of Education

Regional Representatives:

• Jon Wickert, Director, Career and Technical Education and STEM Initiatives, Delaware Department of Education

• Ross White, Director, Division of Career and Technical Education, Arkansas Department of Education

• Leah Amstutz, State CTE Director, Ohio Department of Education

• Dr. Michelle Aldrich, State CTE Director, Wyoming Department of Education

• Brad Billings, State Director, Career and Technical Education, Alaska Department of Education & Early Development

Associate Member Representative: Michael Woods, Director, CTE Technical Assistance Center of New York

State Associate Member Representative: Tracy Kyttle, Director, Apprenticeships and Industry-Recognized Credentials, Maryland State Department of Education

At-Large Representatives:

• Breezy Gutierrez, State CTE Director, Director, College and Career Readiness Bureau, New Mexico Public Education Department

• Wayde Sick, State CTE Director, North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education

Read more about Advance CTE’s 2026-2027 Board of Directors and the latest annual report on its organizational accomplishments to enhance state systems, champion high-quality CTE in federal policy, engage leaders for deeper impact, and unlock a national roadmap for the future of CTE.

About Advance CTE

Advance CTE is the longest-standing national non-profit that represents State Directors and state leaders responsible for secondary, postsecondary, and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Established in 1920, Advance CTE supports state CTE leadership to advance high-quality CTE policies, programs, and pathways that ensure career and college success for each learner.