Dale Erquiaga is the president and chief executive officer of Communities In Schools, the nation’s largest and most effective dropout prevention organization. He previously served as Nevada’s 27th state superintendent of public instruction and as a key advisor to Governor Brian Sandoval.

Dale has a long career in public service and marketing communications. He worked for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas as executive director of government affairs, public policy & strategic planning. He also served as director of the Nevada State Department of Museums and was Nevada’s chief deputy secretary of state. His private sector experience includes managing a successful consulting practice and working as a vice president and managing director with an advertising firm in both Nevada and Arizona.

The grandson of Spanish Basque immigrants to America, Dale holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Nevada, Reno and a master’s degree in leadership from Grand Canyon University. He is a board member with PBLWorks, the National Human Services Assembly, and the University of Nevada Reno’s Center for Basque Studies. He has served as a Nonprofit Fellow with Results for America. He is the proud father of two and grandfather of four.