Former Education Secretary Johnny Key joins Strategos Group

Strategos Group, a Florida-based education management consulting firm, announced Thursday (March 2) the addition of former Arkansas Secretary of Education Johnny Key as a partner in the firm’s national State Superintendent Engagement Practice.

“Johnny’s tenure as a recognized public servant, relentlessly pursuing excellence in education, furthers our mission of advancing the lives of students,” said Adam Giery, managing partner of Strategos. “Through his extensive policy work, Johnny delivered results for Arkansas families, and I am confident he will deliver results for our clients as they too work to improve education outcomes for children across the nation.”

Key was replaced by Gov. Sarah Sanders as Education Secretary by Jacob Oliva, a senior chancellor at the Florida Department of Education.

Key’s addition to the team marks the fourth recent major hire for the firm, according to Strategos. The group has added former Florida legislator Vance Aloupis; Senior Government Affairs Associate and former Legislative Analyst Porsche Knight; and Government Advocacy Advisor and former Deputy Legislative Affairs Director for the Florida Department of Education Jes Fowler.

“Johnny is a recognized national leader who has always focused on preparing children to be successful and prosperous in the world they will work and live in,” said Tom Luna, Strategos partner and former Idaho superintendent of education. “I have known and worked with him for almost a decade, and I look forward to Johnny bringing his years of experience and leadership to the Strategos team.”

Key, who is a former Arkansas legislator, said he looks forward to drawing upon the knowledge he’s gained during his career.

“The Strategos team, with its subject matter expertise and unmatched policy insight, has set itself apart as a leader in education management consulting,” said Key. “Joining this group of esteemed professionals who share my passion for education provides me the opportunity to continue working to advance smart policies that will help ensure future generations are provided quality education choices.”

Key served as secretary of the Arkansas Department of Education from 2019 to 2023 and as commissioner of the department from 2015 to 2019, overseeing the state’s 237 school districts and 18 charter school systems.

Prior to that, Key was associate vice president for university relations at the University of Arkansas System from 2014 to 2015. Key also served as a state senator in Arkansas from 2009 to 2014 and as a state representative from 2003 to 2008.

Key began his career in public service in 1997 when he was elected to serve as a justice of the peace on the Baxter County Quorum Court.

Founded in 2011, Strategos is a national consultancy comprised of former state education commissioners, legislators, White House appointees and recognized business leaders advising Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, startups, philanthropy and private equity. Strategos Group operates at the national, state and local levels with offices in Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C.