Mr. Williams joined Center City Public Charter Schools as President and CEO in April 2013, after 15 years of progressive leadership roles in Washington, DC nonprofits and charter schools.

Center City, a Pre-K-8 charter network that serves 1,400 students across six schools throughout DC, is committed to the intellectual, physical, moral and emotional well-being of each scholar and the belief that every child can learn, lead and serve. Under Mr. Williams’ leadership, the organization has seen continued improvements in its fiscal and academic outcomes. For the 2021-2022 school year, Center City was among the highest performing networks of schools in Washington DC as measured by the annual PARCC assessments.

From 2005 to 2012, Mr. Williams served as the founding Executive Director of AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School, responsible for growing the school from one site serving thirty-six students to seven sites serving more than 600 students. He led the school through rapid transformational growth while closing the achievement gap and driving strong outcomes for students. From 1999 through 2003, he served as AppleTree Institute’s Director of Operations, and from 2003 through 2009 he served as Deputy Director and Treasurer, where he led the education organization’s operations, facilities, and finance functions. He began his career as a founding teacher at the Washington Math Science and Technology Public Charter school in 1998.

Mr. Williams holds an MBA from George Washington University.

Jeff is a seasoned finance and operations executive.  He has spent the last 10 years with TenSquare (a charter school consulting org.) improving operational and financial practices of various charter schools in Washington, DC and nationally.  From 2009 until 2014, Jeff served as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at Cesar Chavez PCS for Public Policy. At Chavez, Jeff solidified structures and revamped the organization, resulting in removal from charter warning and then achieving a 15-year charter renewal.

Prior to Chavez Schools, Mr. Cooper spent 20 years as a leader in the private sector. He helped build and lead Capital One’s Enterprise Risk Management function. Prior to Capital One, Jeff was a Senior Manager in Deloitte Consulting’s Finance Operations and Strategy Practice where he helped numerous clients reduce cost, increase revenue and generally improve the efficiency of their operations.

Jeff has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Duke University and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Demetria Gartrell serves as the Managing Director of Schools of Center City Public Charter Schools, a public charter school whose mission is to empower students for lifelong success by building strong character, promoting academic excellence, and generating public service throughout Washington, DC.

Dr. Gartrell has over 20 years of professional experience working in urban school districts, paving the way for school reform. She uses her expertise to design programming, develop leaders, and manage partner relationships aligned with organization-wide goals. While at Center City, Demetria has served in two leadership roles and supported a few targeted initiatives. Before joining Center City, she held several leadership roles at Friendship Public Charter Schools. She believes in providing every student with a high-quality education and views school leadership as a critical lever in the transformation process.

Dr. Gartrell earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.