The Board of Directors of the National School Boards Association (NSBA) has named Thomas J. Gentzel as its next executive director. Gentzel is the executive director of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA).

As executive director of PSBA since 2001, Gentzel represents and serves more than 5,000 school directors, administrators and other officials from school entities throughout Pennsylvania.  He joined the PSBA staff in 1980 as a lobbyist and, five years later, was promoted to head the organization’s Office of Governmental and Member Relations — a position he held for more than 16 years. Gentzel also is the immediate past chair of NSBA’s Organization of State Association Executive Directors. 

NSBA’s executive director reports directly to  the organization’s board of directors and is responsible for guiding the development and implementation of the strategic plan, programs, policies, and practices of the association. The executive director is responsible for the management and development of nearly 100 employees and an annual budget of more than $20 million.

Gentzel will join NSBA on December 1, 2012.