Former Denver Mayor and new Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper will serve as the next chairman of the Education Commission of the States, a leading a research and information-sharing organization.
The ECS, which is based in the Mile High City, rotates its chair position between Republicans and Democrats every two years. Mr. Hickenlooper, a Democrat, was set to take over after being sworn in as Colorado’s governor on Jan. 11. He will replace former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican who is considered a likely candidate for his party’s presidential nomination in 2012.
As chairman, Mr. Hickenlooper will provide advice and leadership to the ECS on education policy issues, and help lead its conferences and forums, among other duties, according to the organization.
As mayor, Mr. Hickenlooper backed efforts to try to improve Denver’s schools, such as its implementation of a teacher pay-for-performance plan. He entered politics after crafting a successful business career as an entrepreneur, most notably as the developer of a brewpub.
