David L. Brewer III is a retired Three-Star Vice Admiral who served 35-years in the United States Navy. He hails from a family of educators and has overseen several educational initiatives during his illustrious military career. On October 12, 2006, Brewer was unanimously selected by the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education to become the 46th superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). He was awarded a four-year contract that took effect November 13, 2006.

Brewer's accomplished leadership skills and history of career successes make him ideal to head the LAUSD, the second largest school district in the United States. As Vice Chief of the Naval Education and Training Command, Brewer spearheaded innovative programs to support students in their academic and personal development. During his tenure, Brewer was responsible for educational programs for hundreds of thousands of sailors and their families, and developed models to provide customized learning by leveraging technology and 21st century teaching strategies to accelerate student learning and deepen comprehension. Under his leadership, Brewer helped develop the Navy College Program and negotiated a contract with 11 colleges, universities and community colleges to provide bachelor and associate degree programs to more than 300,000 sailors.

Brewer's extensive experience managing both large and complex organizations serve him well as superintendent of the LAUSD, which comprises more than 712,000 students, 800 schools, 77,000 employees, and a $ 7.5 billion budget. In addition, he also oversees the largest public works project in the United States, a $19.3 billion voter-approved transformation to build new schools and improve existing facilities to reduce overcrowding throughout the District.

With a family tradition of educators, Brewer possesses a passion for public education and a dedication to youth in the U.S. In his role in the Navy, Brewer developed partnerships between the maritime unions and public schools in the San Diego area to motivate students to stay in school and participate in apprenticeship programs. Over the years, he has visited hundreds of high schools across the country to inspire students to stay focused on their academic goals and to earn their diploma. His message to today's youth: Good Habits + Goals - Drugs = Success.

Charismatic and energetic, with a commanding leadership style, Brewer is focused on transforming the LAUSD into a world-class school district and educating Los Angeles' diverse student population. With proper support and opportunity, he believes all children can learn and achieve academic success regardless of their ethnicity or socio-economic condition. It is Brewer's belief that everyone who lives in Los Angeles, whether they have children in the LAUSD or not, has a stake in the education of children. As he visits school sites and communities throughout Los Angeles, Brewer has made it his mission to enlist everyone he meets to join him in making academic improvements a reality for every child in LAUSD schools.

Brewer heads The David and Mildred Brewer Foundation, a family foundation that provides scholarships for African American students. It is named in honor of his mother, a retired school teacher, and his late father, who taught at Brewer's high school for more than 33 years.

Brewer was born in Farmville, VA., and attended elementary and secondary schools in Orlando, FL. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, TX. He also was a member of the first graduating class of the first Naval Reserve Officer Training Corp unit at Prairie View A&M University. He later earned a Masters of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies at the Naval War College in Newport, RI.

During his distinguished naval career, Brewer was honored with the National War College's Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award - 10th recipient, the Navy League of the United States Vincent T. Hirsch Maritime Award, the National Defense Transportation Association's Department of Defense Distinguished Service Award and numerous other military and civilian awards.

Brewer is married to Dr. Richardene "Deanie" Brewer, a middle school teacher in Loudoun County, Virginia. They have a daughter who resides in New York.