INDIANAPOLIS – Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a national nonprofit organization that provides transformative learning experiences in computer science, engineering and biomedical science for K-12 students and teachers, today announced that David Greer has joined the organization as senior vice president and chief programs officer. Greer will oversee continued strengthening of PLTW curriculum, professional development and assessment.
“David brings a wealth of experience in the technology and cybersecurity sectors, two areas of intense focus for PLTW as we work to prepare students for the careers that will be available to them when they graduate,” said PLTW President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Vince Bertram. “His industry experience, combined with his experience in education and the nonprofit sector, will be invaluable to PLTW as we empower students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills.”
“I am excited to have the opportunity to work with a world-class organization to help provide the highest quality career learning opportunities to every student in our country,” said Greer. “I believe that Project Lead The Way has taken great strides to fundamentally change how we should approach teaching and learning by being the leader in demonstrating how real-world, applied learning can and should be done in the classroom.”
Greer has more than 20 years of experience in K-12 and post-secondary career and technology education, information technology and digital security, and technology innovation. Prior to joining PLTW, Greer served as executive director of the Institute for Information Security (iSec) at the University of Tulsa. Bringing together those in computer science, engineering, business, law and psychology, Greer led efforts to identify issues, challenges and opportunities in cybersecurity and carried out iSec’s mission to produce exceptional graduates and technical discoveries in the information security field.
He also served as the executive director of the Oklahoma Innovation Institute, a nonprofit corporation committed to building an innovative economy in the Tulsa region. The institute fosters collaborative research and development, STEM education, entrepreneurship, company creation and talent retention. Within the Institute, Greer oversaw the formation of the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance, bringing 90 STEM-focused organizations together to make the biggest impact on developing, attracting and retaining talent in Oklahoma.
While at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, Greer expanded career learning opportunities in computer science and cybersecurity as a founding member and coordinator of the Cyber Security Education Consortium. Partnering with the state’s top experts, Greer led the creation of curriculum and a teacher training model for an articulated cybersecurity certification program available to high school and community college students. With support from the National Science Foundation, he helped expand the consortium to eight states, building a stronger cybersecurity workforce in the southwestern United States.
Greer is considered a leader in information security and digital forensics education and training, having briefed U.S. senators and the FBI, IRS, National Security Agency and Department of Defense on information security, critical infrastructure protection, cyber-crime and digital forensics. He serves on the Oklahoma Governor’s Science and Technology Council and has recently been appointed to the board of directors of the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority.
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. More than 9,000 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.
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Media Contacts:
Jennifer Cahill
PLTW Senior Director of Media and Public Relations
(317) 669-0871
jcahill@pltw.org