Elevate Schools Board Members
Meet the Team
RICHARD GARRETT
FOUNDER AND BOARD MEMBER
Richard is a distinguished Purdue graduate, earning both a bachelor’s degree with distinction and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, before earning his PhD at Northwestern University in Operations Research. Spending more than 27 years at Eli Lilly and many Wednesdays lobbying for catastrophic coverage for our national health insurance in Washington, DC.
Retiring in 1993 from Lilly to join the faculty at the Kelley School of Business in Bloomington, Indiana, Richard taught senior and MBA-level courses in operations management and was a management consultant in a group formed by retiring Eli Lilly executives.
In December 2017 Richard was published in the Harvard Business Review and his book on education, “The Kids are Smart Enough, So What’s the Problem,” was released by Roman and Littlefield, with his second book; “US Education Is in Trouble, Let’s Fix It! 22 Reform Proposals” released in August 2023.
With his experience and knowledge of the K12 education system Richard is confident leading the Elevate Schools movement.
JOHN GARRETT
SCHOOL AND TEACHER LIAISON
John was a teacher in a public elementary school for fifteen years. During his time at a public school in Indianapolis, John experienced and heard of many instances of disrespect escalating to violence targeted at other students and teachers with ineffective repercussions. Those experiences were part of why he resigned at the beginning of the 2015/2016 school year to enter the corporate world.
Upon leaving teaching, he began to realize that, now, more than ever, teachers need the support of every American. Teachers are some of the hardest working people in the country, and they deserve the respect, admiration, and, most importantly, the support of the public that they don’t often get.
ALBERT LUKE
BOARD MEMBER
Al is a versatile, experienced executive respected in multiple industries, including manufacturing, energy services, engineering, and construction. He has a history of improving organizational performance and consistently building successful businesses. Having lived on three continents, he understands multiple cultures and environments. Al has served as a corporate officer of Fortune 500 companies.
He co-founded EPCC Holdings, a state-of-the-art recruiting and executive development service specializing in talent-driven improvement. A chemical engineering graduate of Clarkson College and a fellow of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, Al is a family man and outdoor and arts advocate and professes winning team plays in every aspect of his life.
JOHN CRONE
BOARD MEMBER
John brings expertise in accounting, finance and oversight of not-for-profit organizations to his role with Elevate Schools Inc. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and also earned his CPA designation. His career included 25 years serving as a partner in both a local and national CPA firm, where he provided tax and consulting services to family-owned businesses. He then served in various executive and board positions for a community bank, including responsibility for managing the bank’s trust and investment services.
John also served as an officer and board member of several not-for-profit organizations, including as president of the Rock Valley College Foundation, and as chair of the OSF College of Nursing board finance committee. He was a founder and board member of a community foundation and was chair of the
advisory board for a regional medical center.
TERRY ALBY
BOARD MEMBER
Terry Alby had a distinguished career in construction, ready-mix and the construction materials business. He was also a pioneer in the development of high strength and fast tract concrete. He was the owner and CEO of Alby Materials Inc. He was also an officer and owner of other companies including companies that provide marketing, engineering, surveying, and other services, He served on the boards of the National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association and the Wisconsin Ready-Mixed Concrete Association.
Terry has also taken an active interest in education, especially in providing opportunities to high school students looking for careers in the construction
trades. His company created Alby University, a multifaceted learning center, and Terry has also provided personal career consulting to students. Terry has been active in local school board committees serving as the school referendum co-chair and also on the school building committee. Terry was a member of the advisory board of the Concrete Industry Management Program at Middle Tennessee State University.
In retirement, Terry enjoys expressing his artistic talent in wood and photography. He is the owner of the Alby Art and Alby Wood and Photo Art Gallery, in Waterford, Wisconsin.
