Jay Diskey was named Executive Director of the Association of American Publishers’ School Division in June 2006. In that role he directs and coordinates all of the division’s activities including public policy development, advocacy, and communications. Prior to joining AAP, Diskey headed Diskey & Associates, a public relations and public affairs consultancy specializing in education and workforce development. Diskey has served as Communications Director for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Education and the Workforce, and as Vice President of the education practice at Hager Sharp Inc., a Washington-based public relations firm. In the early 1990s, he was special assistant to U.S. Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander, having been Alexander’s communications officer when he was President of the University of Tennessee. Diskey also worked as a journalist at The Knoxville News-Sentinel andThe Evansville Press. A native of Fort Wayne, IN, Diskey holds a B.A. in philosophy and a master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University. He is a member of the Advisory Commission on Textbook Specifications. He previously served as a member of the board of directors of the Literacy Volunteers of America (Washington, DC chapter); a member of the White House Initiative on Rural Development; and president of the Knoxville Job Corps Center Advisory Council. Diskey is headquartered in AAP’s Washington office. He can be reached at jdiskey@publishers.org and 202-220-4549.
Julie Copty joined AAP in 1999. As Director of the School Division, Julie staffs the following committees: Contract Managers, Serving Students With Disabilities, Depository Task Force, ISBN-13, Publisher Conference Planning, and other task forces as issues come up. Julie also identifies and tracks legislation, manages School Division’s sponsorship program, website, and develops the state instructional materials adoption schedule. Prior to joining AAP Julie was Manager, Government Affairs, for Experian from 1995 to 1999. She can be reached at jcopty@publishers.org and 202-220-4548.