Michael A. Butera, Executive Director and CEO, became NAfME's seventh Executive Director on May 1, 2010. He is a seasoned association executive, having served as the state executive director in three National Education Association state affiliates: Maine, Maryland and Wisconsin. This past year he left NEA’s national office where he served as the Northeast Regional Director, an area covering nine NE state affiliates. Before that assignment, he managed the Western States Government Relations Team which covers all states west of the Mississippi River. He also served in various association positions in NEA affiliates in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Oklahoma.

Butera began his career as a public school music teacher in Munhall, Pennsylvania, a small town along the Monongahela River in the Steel Valley. He taught instrumental music in the entire system and was the high school band director. He is a graduate of Duquesne University with a degree in Music Education. His primary instrument was the Clarinet, which he studied under Nestor Koval.

During his career he has served as President of the National Council of State Education Associations, chaired NEA’s Technology Compact Committee, was Treasurer of the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice, and was a member of the Board of Directors’ of the Member Benefits Corporation, a for-profit entity of the NEA.

Butera served on the Economic Development Transition Team of Maryland Governor Glendening and as a gubernatorial appointee to the Maryland Task Force on School Funding, Accountability and Partnerships. He also served on Wisconsin Governor Doyle’s Job Creation and Economic Development Transition Team. Butera is a member of the American Society of Association Executives.

Butera, who served in the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 2, resides in Laurel, Maryland with his wife, Rita. They have two adult children and two grandchildren.

Photo by Becky Spray, NAfME Staff