In an exciting announcement this morning, Dr. Travis L. Reeves, Superintendent of Surry County Schools, was named incoming Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA). The announcement was made at the Wilmington Convention Center during the closing of NCASA’s 2026 Conference on Educational Leadership by President-Elect Dr. Matthew Cheeseman, Superintendent of Craven County Schools.
Dr. Reeves has served as Surry County Schools Superintendent since 2013 and recently announced his retirement from that role, effective June 30. He will succeed Katherine W. Joyce as NCASA’s Executive Director on July 1, when she retires after 23 years with the organization, including the last 13 years as Executive Director.
NCASA’s President Dr. Stephen Fisher, Superintendent of Cleveland County Schools, praised both Dr. Reeves and Ms. Joyce for their leadership and commitment to supporting NC’s public school administrators.
“School leaders across North Carolina have been fortunate to have Katherine Joyce at the helm of our professional organization, where she has provided effective non-partisan advocacy, enhanced member services, and built NCASA’s reputation as the go-to organization in education and policy circles,” Dr. Fisher said. “We wish her well in her retirement and are thrilled to welcome NCASA’s next Executive Director, Dr. Travis L. Reeves, who is well-equipped to move the organization to the next level and continue building on NCASA’s impressive legacy during the past 50 years in public school leadership.”
For over three decades, Dr. Reeves has deliberately dedicated his life to public schools, beginning as teacher and coach and then as an assistant principal and principal. He served as Superintendent for Ashe County Schools prior to joining Surry County Schools in 2013. Since assuming this role, he has fostered a culture of high expectations for all students to grow academically, physically, socially and emotionally, raising the bar to challenge the status quo to increase student achievement and establishing a powerful college-going culture district-wide. Under his leadership, the district created the Surry Virtual Academy, Surry On-Line Magnet School, the first STEM magnet school in the county, and GROW Strong Running Clubs. Dr. Reeves has built strong partnerships with regional education and business leaders to form Surry Yadkin Works, a premier pre-apprentice/apprenticeship program that matches a student’s career interests to business and industry with great success. Dr. Reeves has continued to build on the strong culture of academics in the district, consistently achieving in the top 20% of all school systems in the state in overall academic performance and celebrating an all-time-high graduation rate of 94.8%. He earned an undergraduate degree from Radford University, a master’s degree from Gardner Webb University, and educational specialist and doctorate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
In remarks at the NCASA Conference earlier today, Dr. Reeves shared his vision for leading NCASA.
“I am deeply honored to serve as Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators. This historic organization represents the very best of public education leadership, and I consider it a privilege to advocate for a profession that has meant so much to me and my family.
Public education is a cornerstone of our democracy and serves as the great equalizer, bringing students from all backgrounds together to learn, grow, and succeed. I look forward to meeting our members across North Carolina, listening closely to their needs, and working alongside them to strengthen our schools and communities.
Whether through public policy, professional development, or effective communication, my vision is for NCASA to continue to be recognized as the leading organization in our state, one where school administrators unite as champions for public education and are equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.
As we begin the next 50 years of service, I pledge my full commitment to supporting this organization, our members, and elevating the future of public education across North Carolina.”
The North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA), established in 1976, serves more than 8,000 public school leaders from across the state and unites 12 affiliated groups of administrators with the mission of ensuring student success through visionary leadership.