Stephen Parker

Legislative Director, National Governors Association

Stephen Parker directs policy and advocacy for education and workforce issues, including: early childhood, K-12 and postsecondary education, workforce development and child nutrition. He leads the governors’ Education and Workforce Committee and is the liaison between governors and the federal government on education and workforce issues.

Parker led governors’ partnership with Congress to pass the Every Student Succeeds Act, which led to governors’ first endorsement of any federal legislation in 20 years. He also led NGA’s work with Congress to pass the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, updating federal job training policy for the first time in 16 years.

Prior to working for the nations’ governors, Parker served as Senior Special Assistant to Governor Timothy M. Kaine and Senior Policy Advisor to the Adjutant General of the Virginia National Guard.

Parker serves on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment, Training and Employer Outreach, the Alexandria Commission on Children, Youth and Families and volunteers at Hopkins House preschool in Alexandria.

Parker serves on the foundation board and is a graduate of Southside Virginia Community College, received a bachelor of arts from Longwood University, studied political leadership at the University of Virginia and public policy at the College of William and Mary.