The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce announced that Drew Scheberle has been named Vice President of Education and Workforce Development. For the past five years, Scheberle has worked for the Texas Business and Education Coalition, most recently serving as Director of Policy Development and Advocacy. While at TBEC, Scheberle led business efforts with the Legislature to triple funding for TEXAS Grant scholarships.

Scheberle also recruited major company CEOs to participate with President George W. Bush and then U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige to create the Center for State Scholars. Scheberle led the effort with 12 statewide business organizations in 12 states to encourage students to complete physics, algebra II and two years of a foreign language.

“Austin is trying to expand existing companies and attract others in nanotechnology, medical devices, semiconductor manufacturing and digital media,” Scheberle said. “These industries all require workers with math, science and a language other than English. Through the Chamber, business volunteers can help ensure that far more high school students graduate with a strong math, science and language background.”

In his new role, Scheberle will work on Opportunity Austin goals, including increasing the number of academically prepared students who graduate from high school and enter higher education, closing the achievement gap between minority and Anglo students and increasing the effectiveness of workforce training programs.

"The Chamber is excited to gain Drew as part of our team," said President Mike Rollins. "His experience will be an asset as the Chamber continues its mission to advocate for an educated workforce for Austin's future. We believe Drew's expertise in public education policy will give us a stronger voice at the table." Rollins said. "Drew also brings to the Chamber a solid working relationship with statewide education policy-makers."

Scheberle learned the state’s complex school finance formulas as an assistant to state Representative Scott Hochberg. Scheberle frequently speaks to Central Texas, state and national audiences on public school finance, student assessment, school accountability, and high school improvement.