John M. Danielson, Former U.S. Department of Education Chief of Staff, to Serve on Magnus Gyan Board
New York, NY (PRWEB) September 10, 2013 -- Magnus Gyan LLC [MG], a US based technology company helping spread knowledge to growth economies – the digital and affordable way – has announced today that John M. Danielson, former Chief of Staff at the United States Department of Education, has joined as a member of its Board of Directors. In this role, Mr. Danielson will work with the other Board members consisting of leaders from the fields of education, business, government and international business development to guide the Company in developing its strategic road map.
Mr. Danielson is an accomplished, nationally and internationally respected executive in the public and private education sector who believed early in his 25-year career that the private sector, along with the public sector, has an important role to play in the creation of improved education systems and technologies for all children. President and Co-Founder Shawn Landgraf said, “Having a true education visionary on our Board of Directors will give Magnus Gyan a significant advantage as we continue to develop our education led technology strategy.”
Along with former United States Secretary of Education Rod Paige, John Danielson was a co-founder of the Chartwell Education Group LLC (2005-2009), an international education-consulting firm headquartered in New York City with offices in Washington, D.C. and London. Chartwell had successfully undertaken a variety of global education projects in Europe, India and South America with a particular expertise in Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan where Mr. Danielson has worked extensively. In June 2009, Chartwell’s international consulting platform was restructured into the Chartwell Hamilton Group LLC with Mr. Danielson serving as Chairman and Managing Director. Mr. Danielson continues to provide thought-leadership, advice and counsel across the domestic and international education sector through board service and targeted consulting assignments.
Mr. Danielson was appointed Chief of Staff at the United States Department of Education by President George W. Bush (2001-2003), where he earned a reputation for his ability to adapt innovative business strategies and tactics to resolve the issues faced by the public education sector as well as playing a lead role in expanding the Department’s international profile. He also worked as a key advisor to former United States Secretary of Education and current United States Senator Lamar Alexander (1990-1995). In 2010, Mr. Danielson served as a peer reviewer in both of the landmark Race to the Top competitions at the appointment of current United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
Mr. Danielson’s independence and expertise were honed in the business world. Mr. Danielson was a co-founder of a company that successfully focuses on at-risk middle and high school aged children in urban areas of the United States (1995-2001) and he has advised the CEOs of some of the nation’s most renowned corporations. Mr. Danielson has counseled many companies in the education field, including those involved in charter schools, publishing and higher education. He has also advised private equity firms and philanthropic organizations in many parts of the world on investments in education.
Mr. Danielson is a native of Houston and was graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1985 where he received a bachelor’s degree in business. Mr. Danielson serves as a board member for Vatterott Educational Centers, Inc., a portfolio company of TA Associates. Mr. Danielson was invited in 2006 by HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, to serve as Vice President of the United States Board of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Young American’s Challenge.
About Magnus Gyan:
Magnus Gyan’s vision is to bridge the 'Digital Divide' by providing high-quality inter-active & adaptive education through broadband mobile technology to students and young professionals, especially to the burgeoning middle class of developing economies.
Most emerging economies are investing huge amounts in building internet technology infrastructure (optical fiber cable lines, 4G LTE data transmission, etc. the so called ‘last mile connect’ ). However, the one missing piece is the 'last person' link. This link is an affordable low cost mobile access device, with which any individual can connect to the internet and hence to information and knowledge.
“Whilst Negroponte's vision at MIT Media Labs in 2005 of 'One Lap Top Per Child' (based on a US$100 PC) was bold and ambitious, it never really scaled-up because the PC never achieved a US$100 price point. Fast forward to 2012, and India's leading technology institute, The Indian Institute of Technology, Rajasthan [IITR] has developed a Low Cost Access Device that costs US $75 – a true 'game changer',” says Kartik Kilachand, CEO & Co-Founder.
shawn Landgraf, Magnus Gyan, +1 (609) 947-1616, [email protected]
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