Chris Braunlich is Senior Fellow with the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy, having retired as president in 2023. He is a former President of the Virginia State Board of Education, and served eight years on the Fairfax County School Board, the nation’s 12th largest school system. Chris was Chief of Staff to Congressman John LeBoutillier, Assistant Vice President for the National Association of Manufacturers, and Vice President of the Center for Education Reform. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications, including The Washington Post, The Roanoke Times, and The Virginian-Pilot. He chairs Commonwealth Opportunity Scholars, a scholarship granting organization (SGO) in Virginia.