Richard Crandall was the single finalist for the job after a months-long national search. The previous commissioner, Robert Hammond, retired last June.
Crandall served as chairman of the education committees in both the Arizona Senate and House where he played major role in adopting Common Core academic standards and crafting a new teacher evaluation law.
For a short period, Crandall headed up the Wyoming Department of Education – a position that was ultimately ruled unconstitutional by Wyoming’s Supreme Court. He is currently the president and founder of CN Resource, which provides oversight and audit services of USDA child nutrition programs for state education agencies.
Crandall assumes Colorado’s commissioner position at an important juncture – Congress just rewrote the nation’s education law, which shifts more responsibilities to the state.
Crandall starts the job Jan. 19.
