Longtime CEO Helped Shape Federal Policy, Expand Professional Development for District Leadership, and Strengthen K-12 Cybersecurity Practices
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 5, 2026) — CoSN — The Consortium for School Networking today announced that Keith R. Krueger will step down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in spring 2027, concluding a 32-year tenure that helped shape CoSN into the leading professional association for K-12 education technology leaders.
Since becoming CEO in 1995, Krueger has guided CoSN through every major era of education technology, from early dial-up connectivity to generative artificial intelligence. Under his leadership, CoSN expanded its membership, launched nationally recognized professional development programs, strengthened its influence in policy discussions, and has become a trusted resource for over 2,000 school districts navigating rapid technological change.
“Serving CoSN for 32 years has been the honor of my professional life,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “When CoSN began, connectivity was a rare luxury. Today, technology is woven into the very fabric of learning. None of this work happens in isolation. I am deeply grateful to the more than 125 Board Members who have served while I was CEO, our dedicated staff, and the thousands of amazing education technology leaders who have worked alongside us to expand opportunities for students and support the safe, responsible, and effective use of education technology.”
A defining element of Krueger’s legacy is his advocacy for the federal E-Rate program. CoSN championed E-Rate from its inception in 1996, helping shape what has become one of the largest sources of federal support for K-12 connectivity. The program has helped bring broadband and Wi-Fi access to virtually every classroom and library in America, narrowing the digital divide for tens of millions of students.
Recognizing that technology leadership requires more than technical expertise, Krueger also led the creation of the Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL®) designation in 2011. Today, CETL® is widely recognized as the premier certification for K-12 technology leaders, preparing over 900 district leaders to navigate increasingly complex digital learning environments.
Throughout his tenure, Krueger has remained at the forefront of the issues shaping the future of K-12 education, including:
- Driving K-12 Innovation: Identifying the top hurdles, accelerators, and tech enablers shaping the future of teaching and learning through CoSN’s annual Driving K-12 Innovation report.
- Advancing AI Readiness: Helping school system leaders navigate the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence through the CoSN Gen AI Maturity Tool and regional district leadership summits.
- Promoting Purposeful Technology Use: Championing intentional, safe, and responsible technology use for teaching and learning through initiatives such as Purposeful Education Technology and Screens in Balance.
- Strengthening Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: Developing the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal and Mini Seal, helping advance security protocols for more than 1.4 million students nationwide.
- Building Global Connections: Leading senior U.S. delegations across Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America to identify emerging trends and best practices in educational technology.
“Keith is one of the nation’s longest-serving education association executives, and his impact on K-12 technology is impossible to overstate,” said Stacy Hawthorne, Ed.D., CETL®, Chair of the CoSN Board of Directors. “From helping close the connectivity gap to building the CETL® credential from the ground up, he didn’t just lead CoSN — he helped define an entire field. On behalf of the board and the thousands of members we serve, we are profoundly grateful for his vision and his service.”
Krueger is a past chair of the Learning First Alliance, served on the Executive Committee of the National Coalition on Technology in Education & Training (NCTET), and has advised organizations ranging from the Friday Institute at NC State University to the American Library Association and the National Park System. A Certified Association Executive (CAE), Krueger holds a master’s degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. His career has also included focus on artificial intelligence at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education and Stanford’s Accelerator for Learning, as well as digital equity research at Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Krueger’s contributions have been widely recognized across the education sector. In 2025, he was named to District Administration‘s “Top 100” and was previously recognized as one of Technology & Learning‘s “Big 10” most influential people in education technology. He was also named a Top 30 Transformer by the Center for Digital Education.
The CoSN Board of Directors will launch a national search for the organization’s next CEO and will work closely with Krueger to ensure a smooth leadership transition through spring 2027. The CEO search timeline will be posted on CoSN’s website after Labor Day.
About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 education technology leaders, stands at the forefront of education innovation. We are driven by a mission to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their teams, and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Our vision is rooted in a future where every learner reaches their unique potential, guided by our community. CoSN represents over 2,000 school districts and 14 million students and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. www.cosn.org
Media Contact: Makenzie Carlin, mcarlin@fratelli.com
