Meet the Staff

Gary Huggins is the Director of the Commission on No Child Left Behind, a bipartisan, independent effort dedicated to improving the No Child Left Behind Act. The Commission has spent the last year traveling across the country, listening to the experiences of students, educators, parents, administrators, state and district officials, experts and policymakers in order to develop specific and actionable recommendations for establishing a high-achieving education system.

Gary has more than fifteen years of experience in leading education and environmental policy organizations.  Prior to joining the Commission, he served as Executive Director of the Education Leaders Council and the Education Leaders Action Council, organizations that represented Governors, state education chiefs, state education boards and others officials focused on improving K-12 education systems.  Prior to these positions, Gary served as Executive Director of CSCV, a coalition of corporations, small businesses, consumer and environmental groups that promoted market-based environmental solutions.  Gary also served on the 1988 Presidential Campaign and Inaugural Committee for George H.W. Bush.

Gary holds a B.A. in Political Science and Communications (double major) from Texas Christian University and studied the British political system and history at the University of Kent at Canterbury, England.

Jennifer W. Adams is the Communications Director for the Commission on No Child Left Behind.  Jennifer joins the Commission from Americans United to Protect Social Security (AUPSS) where she was Deputy Communications Director.  At AUPSS Jennifer managed communications operations and earned media plans for 14 states and assisted in the execution of a national press strategy.  She also coordinated press and assisted in message development for Rural, African-American and Hispanic constituency groups.  Prior to AUPSS, Jennifer served as the Deputy Communications Director for the United States House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, Democratic Staff. She worked closely with Congressman Charles B. Rangel, the Ranking Democratic Member. In this capacity Jennifer was responsible for booking Members of the Ways and Means Committee on local and national radio and television. In addition she prepared media research reports and daily press clippings for Members of Congress and committee staff. She transcribed Member remarks at hearings, mark-ups and press conferences and drafted information provided on the Committee’s website.  She also served as Acting Communications Director at various times. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Communications from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. 

Renata Uzzell joined The Aspen Institute’s Commission on No Child Left Behind after three years of teaching high school mathematics in Prince Georges County, Maryland Public Schools. As the research and data analyst she coordinates and manages data collection and analysis and conducts secondary research.  Renata graduated from George Washington University with a Master’s degree in Education Policy Studies. She also received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Secondary Education from North Carolina A&T State University. In addition to her teaching experience she has worked for the GAO, a US Congresswoman, and with the DC Teaching Fellows Program.

Anne Meyer joined The Aspen Institute’s Commission on No Child Left Behind after graduating from The George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in May of 2007.  Anne is the Program Coordinator for the Commission.  Her duties include oversight of office administration including, ordering supplies, distribution of mail, technical support, filing, typing, answering phones and greeting visitors.  In addition she assists with research and coordinates meeting and travel scheduling for senior staff.  In her spare time Anne plays soccer on a DC club team and, is currently training for her second marathon. 

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