ACCS Commissioners
Information about current Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (ACCS) members, including their terms of appointment and biographies.Commissioners
| Name | Representing | Initial Appointment | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Crowe | Parents or Guardians of Charter School Students | 01/01/2025 |
12/31/2026 |
| Dr. Helio Brasil | District Superintendents | 01/01/2023 |
12/31/2026 |
| Dr. Todd Finnell | County Office of Education Superintendents | 01/01/2023 |
12/31/2026 |
| Erika Jones | Teachers | 01/09/2020 |
12/31/2026 |
| Dr. Derek King | Charter Schools | 01/01/2022 |
12/31/2025 |
| Susan Park | State Superintendent of Public Instruction | N/A |
N/A |
| Matt Taylor | Charter Schools | 01/01/2021 |
12/31/2026 |
| Mike Walsh | Governing Boards of School Districts | 01/09/2020 |
12/31/2025 |
Biographies
Andrew Crowe
Represents: Parents or Guardians of Charter School Students
Andrew Crowe is the Deputy Director at Scholarship Prep, a network of charter schools focused on serving vulnerable populations, especially students experiencing homelessness. In this role, Mr. Crowe has created or led programs recognized by the California Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Education for their impact on vulnerable students, especially those experiencing homelessness.
Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Mr. Crowe received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Notre Dame and his Master’s Degree from the University of Pennsylvania. After working at the Boys and Girls Club through college, Mr. Crowe joined Teach For America and taught high school math at West Philadelphia High School. He then worked as a teacher and administrator in Hawai`i, Los Angeles, San Diego, and throughout Southern California. Mr. Crowe has presented locally and nationally on trauma-informed practices, culturally responsive education, and homeless youth supports.
As a proud Native American raised in the inner city by a single mother, Mr. Crowe is intensely passionate about social justice and inequality issues. He previously served as the Chair of the Native American Alumni Board of Notre Dame. He currently serves as a board member of the Orange County Continuum of Care, a cross-agency elected board designed to end homelessness, and on the Orange County-Long Beach HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing task force.
Mr. Crowe lives in Santa Ana with his wife and daughter.
Mr. Crowe was appointed to the ACCS in January of 2025. His current term expires on December 31, 2026.
Dr. Helio Brasil
Represents: District Superintendents
Helio Brasil has been a teacher and administrator in education for over 28 years. He is currently in his sixth year as superintendent of the Keyes Union School District located in Stanislaus County. He joined Keyes Union in July of 2017 after serving well over 17 years as a superintendent/principal of two small districts in Merced County. He served as superintendent/principal for Merced River School District and as superintendent of the McSwain School District in Merced County.
He began his career in education as a high school teacher at Riverbank High School in the Oakdale Joint Union High School District. He has served as a High School Activities Director, Assistant Principal, Middle School Principal, Superintendent Principal, and Superintendent.
Mr. Brasil works daily to ensure that he focuses on students and supports all students and staff. He is determined to support all students.
A native of the Azores (Portugal), Superintendent Brasil immigrated to the United States in 1978 at the age of 9. Brasil graduated from Riverbank High School, California State University Stanislaus, and earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Saint Mary’s College. He is proud of his family roots and is thankful for the commitment, courage, and sacrifices his mother and brother as immigrants made by supporting his education.
He served for eight years as the Committee on Teacher Credentialing Chairperson. He has also served as board member of the Small School Districts’ Association (SSDA), including time as Board President. He has served on many educational boards and educational associations. He is the current Chairperson of the Stanislaus County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Council. He is most proud of his time spent supporting small districts and the daily work that each of those administrators face. He has continuously advocated for charter schools and is a pioneer in recognizing the uniqueness of small districts and charters. He continues to do so by seeking opportunities to gain access to decision-makers and members of both State and Federal education policy and funding committees.
Mr. Brasil is honored to serve as an commissioner on the Advisory Commission on Charter Schools. He is thrilled to be part of the advisory committee and is committed to supporting the needs of the students, staff, and the entire Keyes Community. His heart is in supporting kids, staff, parents, and the community in traditional public and charter schools. His most passionate vision is to see all students succeed regardless of their circumstances.
Dr. Brasil was appointed to the ACCS in January of 2023. His current term expires on December 31, 2026.
Dr. Todd Finnell
Represents: County Office of Education Superintendents
Dr. Todd Finnell was elected as Imperial County Superintendent of Schools in 2014, and has served 28 years in transitional kindergarten/kindergarten (TK/K)–12 education as a classroom teacher, counselor, and administrator, and more than 19 years as faculty at San Diego State University (SDSU) preparing new teachers for the profession. His California credentials and certifications include Multiple Subject Teaching, Pupil Personnel Services, Administrative Services, and Chief Technology Officer.
In addition to his work in TK–12, Dr. Finnell served four years as Vice President for Student Services, Technology, and Research for Imperial Valley College. While in the college system, he championed access and equity for all students, and worked to strengthen collaboration among K–12 and higher education institutions.
Dr. Finnell earned his Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Administration from San Diego State University, his Master’s in Education from University of Redlands, and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University.
A sampling of awards and recognitions include the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Administrator of the Year, California County Superintendents Education Services Association (CCSESA) Innovation in Technology Award, SDSU Exemplary Research and Practice Award, Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) Brian L. Talbott Award, Computer-Using Educators (CUE) Technology in Learning Leadership Award, and the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) Gigabit or Bust Award.
Dr. Finnell was appointed to the ACCS in November of 2022. His current term expires on December 31, 2026.
Erika Jones
Represents: Teachers
Dedicated Los Angeles Unified School District elementary teacher and civil rights advocate, Erika Jones serves on the board of the 310,000-member California Teachers Association representing educators from the Greater Los Angeles area and the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA).
She has taught for 14 years from kindergarten through fifth grade. Within that time, she has been part of multiple school plan writing teams and is a national professional development trainer specializing in classroom management, culturally responsive teaching, racial equity, and supporting school communities. She also co-chairs UTLA’s Racial Justice Taskforce collaborating with community organizations, students, parents, and educators.
Born in New York and raised in Kentucky, Ms. Jones has lived in California since 1990. For two years before her teaching career began, she worked in public relations and coordinated a school assembly program focused on educating children about being environmentally conscious.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles, and earned her teaching credential and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University, Northridge. She also holds a credential in Administration. Ms. Jones completed the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Program: Leadership, Organizing, and Action – Leading Change, and represented California’s educators as a member of Governor Gavin Newsom’s California Charter School Policy Task Force.
Ms. Jones lives in Los Angeles.
Ms. Jones was appointed to the ACCS in January of 2020. Her current term expires on December 31, 2026.
Dr. Derek King
Represents: Charter Schools
Dr. Derek King currently holds the position of Superintendent for Excelsior Charter Schools. In education, Dr. King has held the positions of Assistant Superintendent, Principal, Director, and Classroom Teacher.
Dr. King is a very active member of our broader community having served on several community service, military, and educational boards/committees. Dr. King was elected to the Victor Valley Union High School District Trustee board to which he served as both Clerk and Vice President. Dr. King holds a Bachelor’s degree, two Master's degrees, and a Doctorate in Education.
Forever busy, Dr. King is a sought-after public speaker on the topics of equity in education, business-community partnerships, parent advocacy, community service, school choice, faith in education, and resiliency. Dr. King believes that economic and social marginalization is cured through equitable access, hard work, personal responsibility, healthy social interaction, and the refusal to accept excuses. “If I could convince a child of one thing it would be that success is guaranteed as long as it’s all you’re willing to accept.”
Dr. King was appointed to the ACCS in November of 2021. His current term expires on December 31, 2025.
Susan Park
Represents: State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Ms. Park is the Director of the California Department of Education, Charter Schools Division.
Matt Taylor
Represents: Charter Schools
Matt Taylor serves students as the Chief Communications and Strategy Officer at Gateway Community Charter Schools – a charter management organization serving scholars in Sacramento and Yolo Counties. Mr. Taylor has spent the last two decades in education, focused on improving educational outcomes for all learners. He earned his Master's Degree in Public Policy from Pepperdine University and a Master's in Educational Leadership from the Broad School of Management. He has worked with California schools for years, most recently as the superintendent of River Charter Schools. Mr. Taylor was previously the Administrator of the Evaluation, Research and Analysis Unit at the California Department of Education and the Director of Research at the California Charter Schools Association.
Mr. Taylor helps educate the next generation of school leaders and teachers as an Adjunct Professor at William Jessup University. As a leader who focuses on data driven decision making, he previously served as the President of the California Educational Research Association.
Mr. Taylor also served his local education community from 2014-2021 as the President of the Yolo County Board of Education, representing the community of West Sacramento and serves as Treasurer of the California County Boards of Education.
As the proud parent of three students who have attended both charter public schools and traditional public schools, Mr. Taylor is a firm believer in public education.
Mr. Taylor was appointed to the ACCS in January of 2020. His current term expires December 31, 2026.
Mike Walsh
Represents: Governing Boards of School Districts
Mike Walsh is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Results, an organizational growth and change management firm founded in 2005 that works primarily with school districts and nonprofits to help them develop and align their strategic plans. He has both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management and Organizational Leadership from Ashford University.
Since 2000, Mr. Walsh has served as a Leadership Facilitator for several student-based organizations including the California Association of Student Councils, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and the National Student Leadership Conference at the University of California, Berkeley, an annual Career Exploration Camp for students considering careers in medicine, engineering, and communications.
In addition to his work through Beacon, in 2018 he served as the President of the California School Boards Association (CSBA), a group representing nearly 1,000 California school districts and county offices of education. A 10-year veteran Trustee of the Butte County Office of Education, Mr. Walsh was elected to CSBA’s Delegate Assembly in 2010 and elected to the organization’s Board of Directors in 2011. During his time at CSBA, Mr. Walsh has served ably on numerous committees, including chairing the Legislative Committee and on the Executive Committee as Vice President, President-elect, President, and the Immediate Past-President.
He also served as Executive Director of the Oroville Economic Development Corporation and completed a three-year term as a member of the Butte Community College Foundation Board of Directors. In addition to his service to state school boards, Mr. Walsh has also served on major committees of the National School Boards Association and has written and published multiple articles focused on equity and improving outcomes for underserved student groups.
Mr. Walsh was appointed to the ACCS in January of 2020. His current term expires on December 31, 2025.
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