“Gary has helped in immeasurable
ways to advance the mission of charter schools and
to ensure that the public understands why they are
so important. He has been brilliant at placing the
right stories in the press, effective at putting
out fires and very creative in giving us the brand
of ‘My School!’ In Gary’s efforts
to frame our work as part of a movement based on
quality, he has been ahead of others’ thinking.
His vision in understanding that our movement has
to stand for quality was prescient, and we owe him
our gratitude for advancing this mission. Gary’s
service to the movement will only help it continue
to succeed nationally.”
Caprice Young
President/CEO
California Charter Schools Association
"Gary Larson is, in my opinion, the voice
of the charter school movement. His writing skills
and sense of timing in media are uncanny. His passion
for giving parents a choice and for keeping us focused
on the message is a true mark of his professionalism
and caring."
Rick Piercy
Founder and CEO
The Lewis Center for Educational Research
President of the Board of Directors
California Charter Schools Association
“The charter school movement in California
would not be where it is today without the sound
advice and tireless efforts of Gary Larson. Whether
it is crisis management or framing longer-term messaging
and media relationships, Gary's instincts and judgment
are superb. And running through all his work is
a deep commitment to providing better educational
options to all kids.”
Chris Nelson
Managing Director
Doris & Donald Fisher Fund
“In 35 years of work on improving education,
I've never encountered anyone nearly as skilled
as Gary Larson. He is incredibly talented. He is
able to shine a light, in a clear, compelling way,
on what needs to be changed, and why. He is masterful
at work with journalists. He knows how to build
relationships, and work effectively with journalists.
I do not know of anyone in the US who is better
than Larson, in working with the news media on education
reform efforts.”
Joe Nathan
Director, Center for School Change
University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of
Public Affairs
“As the head of Communications for the California
Charter Schools Association, Gary was responsible
for swinging all the major California dailies into
having a positive outlook on charter schools. This
was no small task. He has also developed amazing
relationships with members of the media. In short,
Gary is a PR genius.”
Mike Piscal
CEO, Inner-City Education Foundation
Founder, View Park Preparatory Charter Schools
"Gary Larson is the most talented and knowledgeable
communications and public-relations professional
in California's education reform movement. The growth
and success of charter schools in our state can
be attributed in significant part to his excellent
efforts. Our institute has been fortunate to have
Gary as a speaker on communications strategies at
several of our events and our audiences have been
greatly impressed with the quality and practicality
of his presentations."
Lance T. Izumi
Director of Education Studies
Pacific Research Institute
“Gary has a remarkable ability to help organizations
communicate in ways that effectively engage the
media and inform the public. Through Gary’s
proactive efforts, public awareness of charter schools
both in California and beyond is at an all-time
high.”
Priscilla Wohlstetter,
Ph.D.
Educational Policy Director
Center on Educational Governance
Rossier School of Education
University of Southern California
“Gary Larson has an established track record
of supporting the charter school movement, both
in California and nationally, through the development
of high quality media campaigns, public relations
initiatives, and outreach at the grassroots level.
He has a unique ability to capture “stories”
found in the daily lives of charter schools and
connect them to broad policy, fiscal and legislative
issues. His strong relationships with local, state
and national media outlets allow him multiple avenues
to convey messages about the positive impacts of
charter schools. I have worked with Gary over the
course of the last six years and believe him to
be the best in the business.”
Ref Rodriguez, Ed.D.
Founder and co-CEO
PUC Schools
"Over the last six years with Gary Larson
spearheading public relations, the charter school
movement has made great positive strides in making
the public more aware of the benefits of parental
choice in public schools. Gary has effectively demonstrated
the importance of a clear message based on supportable
facts. This enabled him to get the word out supporting
charter schools as a quality education alternative
in public education.”
Gene Fisher
Founder and CEO
The Watts Learning Center
The 2007 California Charter School of the Year
“Gary Larson is a public relations genius.
His efforts are mainly responsible for putting the
California Charter Schools Association and quality
California charter public schools on the map! I
recommend him with the utmost of enthusiasm!”
Joe Lucente
Founder and past-Co-Director
Fenton Avenue Charter School |
