National PTA is composed of 54 state congresses and nearly 26,000 local units in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Department of Defense Schools in Europe and the Pacific.

National PTA, as directed by its board of directors, provides leadership, programs, support, and resources to its members at all levels of the association. State PTAs are the liaison between the local PTA and National PTA, helping each to function effectively and to support and sustain the other.

PTAs at the local level are valuable assets to their school communities by providing educational and parent involvement information, resources, events, and activities. They are linked to the state PTA and National PTA, forming a nationwide network of members working on behalf of all children and youth.

Byron V. Garrett: National PTA Chief Executive Officer

One of the most compelling voices of our time, Byron V. Garrett became Chief Executive Officer of the National PTA in June of 2008. As CEO, Byron provides leadership for staff working in partnership with volunteer leadership to steward the nation’s largest child advocacy association composed of more than five million members around the globe. Throughout his career, he has been a visionary agent of change promoting the idea that everyone has an obligation and opportunity to serve the best interests of our nation’s most precious resource – children.

Byron brings to PTA a unique combination of experience from both the non-profit and governmental sectors, most recently serving as the chief of staff for the Office of Public Affairs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security). Prior to this, Garrett served as national program leader for the National 4-H Headquarters at the U.S. Department of Agriculture—overseeing three mission areas (healthy living; citizenship; and science, engineering, and technology) for the program’s seven million participants and 90,000 clubs. While at USDA he was appointed by The White House as co-convener of the Helping America’s Youth initiative, an interagency effort to address challenges facing youth and to promote successful solutions.

Earlier in his career, Garrett spent a decade in Phoenix as an education advocate and community leader. He served as a policy advisor for faith and community initiatives for then Governor Janet Napolitano (currently U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security); prior to that role, he was the director of the governor’s Division for Community and Youth Development, where he administered multiple boards and commissions. Garrett is also a former K-8 school principal.

Formerly, Garrett served as a columnist for the Arizona Informant and is an author of several books including “The ABC’s of Life.” An accomplished speaker, Garrett has delivered presentations all across the U.S., Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. He has also been a guest on MSNBC and the "Dr. Phil Show," and been featured in a number of publications, such as the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and JET Magazine. In 2009, Ebony named Garrett to its “Power 150,” an annual list of “The Most Influential Black Americans.” Garrett is also a board member of the Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, Inc.

Charles “Chuck” J. Saylors - National PTA President

Charles J. "Chuck" Saylors is the PTA's first-ever male president of National PTA. He was installed June 2009 to a two year term culminating his long-time commitment to the association as a PTA member for almost 20 years.

Saylors started volunteering for PTA when his oldest son Matthew (now 24 years old) was in the first grade at Woodland Elementary in Greer, South Carolina. He and his wife Teresa started volunteering then and they have not slowed down since. The Saylors have been married for 25 years and have four children; Matthew, Jennifer Canova (22), Tyler (12) and William (9). They are also the proud grandparents of Bethany Canova (2), Jennifer’s daughter. Teresa is a past PTA president at Taylors Elementary where Tyler and William are students. Saylors states: "My motivation is to get parents and family members involved in the educational system, showing them that even a little time spent in the school as a volunteer is a valuable investment. I truly believe that a child will succeed if a parent is involved."

Saylors has been in the construction industry for over 17 years and is currently Vice President for the Construction Management Division of M.B. Kahn Construction, a national top 10 education contractor. Saylors also serves on a number of national, state, and community boards. He is a trustee for the School District of Greenville County (SC), serving two years as board chair, and is a former board member for Greenville Technical College.

National/State/ Local PTA Former Positions and Activities:

• PTA National Secretary-Treasurer (2005-2007)
• South Carolina PTA President (2003-2005)
• Former SCPTA Vice President and Treasurer
• Former President, District 1 PTA
• Current Board Member, District 1 PTA
• Former Board Member, Northeast PTA Council
• Former President, Woodland Elementary PTA

Professional/Volunteer Positions and Activities (Non-PTA):

• Member, Council of Educational Facilities Planners International
• Board Member, National Federation of Urban Suburban School Districts
• Trustee, School District of Greenville County
• Former Board Member, Greenville Technical College
• Former President and Board Member, Roper Mountain Science Center
• Former Executive Board Member, Blue Ridge Council BSA
• Member and Former Deacon, Hampton Heights Baptist Church
• Former Board Member, Greenville Family Partnership (National Red Ribbon)

Betsy Landers, National PTA, President-Elect

A PTA member since 1989, Betsy Landers was elected National PTA President-Elect at the June 2009 PTA National Convention in Fort Lauderdale. She previously served a two-year term as National
PTA Secretary-Treasurer (2007-2009).

From the start, Landers’ dedication to PTA has been unwavering. When she encountered challenges with her first PTA experience, she stayed with the group to ensure future
volunteers had a better experience. When her children were transferred to a new school, she helped form its first PTA as secretary. When her children were transferred yet again, she led
the way to forming its first PTA – this time as president.

She then took on increasing responsibilities at Shelby County Council PTA, then at the Tennessee PTA Board of Managers simply because of her passion to be involved and her desire to foster a widespread culture of excellence at the local level.

As State President of Tennessee PTA, Landers led that organization in working with the State Board of Education and several legislators to write what would become the Parent
Involvement Act, using the PTA National Standards as a model. Now Tennessee law, the Act mandates that all school districts in the state have a written parent involvement policy.

Though her involvement is now at the national office, Landers is quick to point out that the real power of PTA lies at the local level. “It’s the parents who dedicate themselves to improving their children’s education, PTA members who are committed to advocating for all children – those are the people who make a real difference.”

She is married to Ben G. Landers and has three children, Benton, Nicholas, and Mary Frances.

Teresa Williams, Secretary-Treasurer

Teresa Williams was elected as National PTA Secretary-Treasurer at the 2009 PTA National Convention in Fort Lauderdale. Hailing from Westminster, Colorado, Williams was previously a member of the PTA's National Council of States. Her curriculum vitae is listed below.

National PTA
National Council of States, 2003-2007
National PTA Board of Directors, 2005-2007
National PTA Committees
• Finance, 2005-2007
• Youth Involvement, 2006-2007, 2007-2008
• Strategic Planning, 2004-2005, 2006-2007
• Convention General Arrangements, 2007-2009
• Reflections Chairman, 2007-2009

Colorado PTA
President, 2004-2007
Secretary, 1999, 2000
Convention Manager, 2002
Reflections Chairman, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Colorado PTA Committees:
• Finance Committee, 1996-1999, 2004-2009
• Bylaws Committee, 2004-2007
• Ethic and Standards Committee, 2008-2009
• Nominating Committee, 2004
• Legislative Committee, 2003-2007
• Scholarship Committee, 2007-2009
Building Successful Partnerships Presenter

Council and Local PTA Units:
Weber Elementary PTA (School of Excellence): President, Vice President, Secretary, Fund Raiser Chair, and Historian, 1989-2001
Pomona High School PTSA: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, 1998-2004
Jefferson County Council PTA: 3rd Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, 1994-2000

Community Involvement
Board of Directors YMCA, 1995-2000
The Governors Read to Achieve Board, 2008-2011
Colorado Safe Communities~Safe Schools Committee, 2006-2009
Colorado Teacher of the Year Committee, 2002-Present
Qwest Online Safety Classroom Committee, 2006
9 Teacher Who Cares Committee, 2003-2007
Red Robin Acts of Kindness, Committee, 2005-2007
Panera Bread, Rising Above Award, Committee, 2005-2007
Colorado Parent Information Resource Center (CPIRC), Board
(2003-2007) and Presenter

Awards and Honors
School Volunteer of the Year, 2000, Project Open Heart
Colorado PTA Honorary Life Membership
National PTA Honorary Life Membership
Featured in the Our Children magazine, April/May 2000
Personal and Professional Information

Married for 32 years to Clegg Williams
Three children: Jason (25), Nicole (23), and Megan(19)
Colorado State University, Bachelors degree, University of
Northern Colorado, Masters Program, School teacher for 30 years

Board Members

Gina Armor
National PTA Board Member, 2009-2011

Laura Bay
National PTA Board Member, 2009-2011

Vito J. Borrello
National PTA Board Member, 2008-2010

Alberto Carvalho
National PTA Board Member, 2008-2010

Dani Carver
National PTA Board Member, 2009-2011

Phil Clark
National PTA Board Member, 2009-2011

Karen McLean Dade, Ed.D.
National PTA Board Member, 2008-2010

Stella Y. Edwards
National PTA Board Member, 2008-2010

Frank Gallagher
National PTA Board Member, 2009-2011

Melissa Johnson
National PTA Board Member, 2009-2011

Jean Krieger
National PTA Board Member, 2008-2010

Tibby Milne
National PTA Board Member, 2008-2010

Aurelio Montemayor
National PTA Board Member, 2008-2010

Mary Jo Neil
National PTA Board Member, 2009-2011

Carla Niño
National PTA Board Member, 2008-2010

Helane Robson
National PTA Board Member, 2009-2011

Sonny Savoie
National PTA Board Member, 2009-2011

David Squires
National PTA Board Member, 2009-2011

Al Tamagni
National PTA Board Member, 2009-2011

General Bennie Williams
National PTA Board Member, 2009-2011