Ron Herndon served as President and Board Chair of the National Head Start Association (NHSA) from 1991 to 2013. As Chair he provided leadership and support to Head Start programs across the nation including advocating for over 900,000 low-income children and families.
Through his vision NHSA partnered with Texas Tech University to develop the National Head Start Training Academy for Head Start staff. Ron persuaded Phil Knight, founder and Chairman of Nike, to fund STARTLINE, a national computer training program for Head Start children and parents. Through this partnership Nike also sponsored NikeGo a physical activity program for Preschool children and Nike STARTingBlock a management program for Head Start leaders.
Ron has been the Director of Albina Head Start in Portland, Oregon since 1975. He is a former teacher, counselor, college instructor and VISTA volunteer.