John C. Stocks is the chairman of Democracy Alliance, and senior adviser to the National Education Association (NEA) – the nation’s largest union – representing three million educators. Since his appointment in 2011, Stocks has been at the center of the Association’s efforts to champion a movement for great public schools – one that empowers NEA’s members to lead the drive for educator excellence and fights for every child’s fundamental right to a quality public education. As NEA’s deputy executive director from 2004-2011, Stocks spearheaded NEA’s policy, political and membership priorities. Prior to coming to NEA, Stocks served as the assistant executive director for public affairs at the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) in Madison, Wisconsin. He has been honored by leading national organizations for his contributions to progressive causes, including America Votes, the Campaign for America’s Future, Midwest Academy and the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center.