Board Member Profiles
Robert Hammond
Colorado Commissioner of Education
Secretary of the State Board of Education
On May 11th, 2011 the Colorado State Board of Education appointed Robert Hammond as Commissioner of Education, effective June 1st, 2011. Prior to his appointment, Hammond served as the department's commissioner as well as deputy commissioner of administration and operations overseeing the School Finance, Federal Programs, Human Resources, Information Management Services, State Libraries, Budget/Fiscal Management Units, Professional Services, Licensing, Student Support Services (Special Education) and the Legislative Liaison.
With over 34 years of private and public sector experience in banking, city management and K-12 education, Hammond brings a strong customer focus and a belief that organizations must serve their stakeholders. Hammond draws on a 23 year career in K-12 education leadership, not only in his current role but in past roles as chief operations officer, associate superintendent and division director of operations in two school districts. Hammond has exhibited a wide level of leadership skills and accomplishments through his previous experience in financial and management accountability, educational reform, continuous quality improvement, human resource and negotiations, information technology systems and infrastructure, comprehensive facility and technology planning, and legislative support.
Hammond strongly believes in continuing with the implementation of the ambitious education reform endeavors that the State Board of Education has set in motion. Hammond has been a key contributor to the "Forward Thinking" plan of improvement which is now in its fifth year. Through building collaboration while emphasizing accountability and leadership, key initiatives of this plan that have been made operational include "making efficient, effective use of federal, state and private funds," "become a reliable source for research, data and analysis," and "implement a seamless, collaborative leadership system..."
For additional information, e-mail: state.board@cde.state.co.us.