Johnny Deas has led operations teams in 3 different industries over a 30-year career. Johnny is currently the Chief Operations Officer for Uplift Education. Uplift is the largest high-performing charter management organization in North Texas. Uplift is a network of free public charter schools that serves approximately 22,000 students through 46 schools, on 21 campuses, in 6 cities, across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Over 75% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Johnny began his career as a U.S. Marine and was promoted seven times as he rose through the ranks from Private to Captain; he ultimately provided operational leadership support to multiple elite Marine combat aircraft units. After a successful military career, Johnny went on to earn an MBA from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis, where he concentrated in Operations. After graduate school, Johnny accepted a position within the Operations and Technology Division of one of Citigroup’s most profitable business sectors. Johnny ultimately served as a Junior Executive for Citigroup before accepting his current role as a K-12 Executive. Johnny is the proud father of two adult children.