Name John Stocks | ||
Occupation Executive Director, National Education Association | ||
John C. Stocks serves as executive director of the National Education Association. He began his career as a community organizer, political strategist, and politician in Idaho before taking leadership roles in the Wisconsin Education Association Council and the NEA.
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Career
Since 2003, Stocks has served as an official of the National Education Association, America's largest union.
From 1990 to 2003, Stocks served as the Assistant Executive Director for Public Affairs at the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC). During his tenure, he oversaw WEAC’s Public Relations, Legislative, Political Action, and Teaching and Learning departments.
Prior to joining WEAC, he served as executive director of Idaho Fair Share, a grassroots citizen action organization. In 1988, Stocks ran for the Idaho Senate, defeating a four-term incumbent. His legislative record includes successfully shepherding a bill to improve protections for people facing bankruptcy due to family medical crises.
In 2007, Stocks was honored by the Midwest Academy, a grassroots training institute. He was also honored by the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center for his work in ballot measure campaigning.
In his one session in the Idaho Legislature, Stocks joined with Republican Sen. Rachel Gilbert to protect people from losing their homes if they are made indigent by medical costs.
In 2011, President Barack Obama’s campaign manager Jim Messina said, “He’s one of the smartest political operatives in the country.”
Personal life
A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Stocks is a graduate of the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. He and his wife, Connie, have two children.