Frank Chester, a West Virginia native, traveled to Baton Rouge in February 2021 to serve as the Chief Operations Officer for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. Chester looks forward to continuing his work in the educational field so that he can carry on his mission in creating new opportunities for youth. He began his career working for several Fortune 500 companies serving in various senior manager and executive roles. However, when the opportunity arose to make an impact in students’ lives, he made the leap and never looked back. He describes the new path as an opportunity to forge a more opportunistic future for minority students. “As the first in my family to graduate from college, my whole life has been characterized by the role of education and the outcomes it provides.”

Chester’s education career began in Pennsylvania in the Pittsburgh School System as the Chief Human Resources & Talent Officer. He also served as the Chief Human Resources Officer for Bridgeport Public Schools in Connecticut. Both systems are reflective of the demographic makeup of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.

He earned his degree from West Virginia State University before serving as a U.S. Army Officer that included both international and stateside assignments where he eventually achieved the rank of Captain.

Chester believes in investing in and serving the community in which he lives. While in Pittsburgh, he was selected and honored as one of the ’50 Men of Excellence’ by the Pittsburgh Courier. In addition, he is also a graduate of Leadership Minneapolis, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He also volunteers his spare time as a career coach.

Chester, never living further south than Charlotte, North Carolina, cannot wait to spend time soaking up the Louisiana sun where he will enjoy his hobbies of fishing, golf and immersing himself in Louisiana’s famous culture.