He will serve a three-year term as one of two Western Area directors, the other being returning board member Janet Cannon of the Utah State Board of Education. The board will be chaired by Brooke Axiotis, president of the Iowa State Board of Education.

“I am very pleased to serve Guam and the 14 states and islands in the Western Area on this national board,” McNinch said. “In this role, I have active access and input on the latest trends in education, and I will be able to bring new ideas and concepts to our educators in the region.”

McNinch also serves on the Guam Education Board as the business sector representative, following his appointment to the role in 2016 by Gov. Edward Calvo and continued appointment under the administration of Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from West Georgia College, an MPA in systems administration from Georgia College, and a doctorate in political science with a public administration emphasis from Georgia State University.

“NASBE’s board of directors plays an important role in helping the organization achieve its mission of developing, supporting, and empowering state boards to fully embrace their role as citizen leaders,” said NASBE President and CEO Robert Hull in the release. “The board’s combined decades of expertise and commitment to NASBE’s strategic direction will help ensure the organization’s sustainability for years to come as an organization led by members in response to members’ needs.”

NASBE serves as the only membership organization for state boards of education. A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, NASBE elevates state board members’ voices in national and state policymaking, facilitates the exchange of informed ideas, and supports members in advancing equity and excellence in public education for students of all races, genders, and circumstances