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CEA Executive Director Tony Salazar is leaving the to become the Chief Affiliate Officer, a senior management position, with the National Education Association’s Member Benefits Corporation, based in Gaithersburg, Md. His last day with CEA is September 26.

Salazar joined the CEA staff in September 2001 as a lobbyist and served on the Government Relations team for seven years. The CEA Board of Directors hired Salazar as Executive Director in September 2008. A Denver native and graduate of Denver's North High School and University of Denver, Salazar and his family plan to stay in the Mile High City, where he will continue to support CEA members in a new, national role.

“My 13 years with CEA, including the last six as the Executive Director, have been the most rewarding time of my professional life,” said Salazar. “I came to work every day thankful for the opportunity to support the great people who dedicate their lives to public education. Congratulations to my colleague and friend, Brad, on his new assignment in which I expect him to excel as an outstanding leader in this wonderful organization.”

Brad Bartels, CEA’s incoming Executive Director, is currently CEA’s General Counsel. He first joined CEA as a legal intern in 1990 after obtaining his law degree from the University of Denver. He has served CEA members as a staff attorney and as General Counsel for more than 20 years. After attending public schools in Boulder, he graduated from University of Colorado. 

Bartels is a former classroom teacher, and also holds a doctorate in Educational Foundations, Policy and Practice from the CU-Boulder School of Education. “I’m excited to continue to serve CEA members in my new role as Executive Director. I will build on the foundations that Tony established as we, the stewards of public education in Colorado, move forward and serve the educational needs of our children.”