Brandon tatum

Chief Executive Officer

Brandon Tatum serves as Chief Executive Officer of the National Governors Association (NGA). In this role, he leads the nation’s only bipartisan organization representing all 55 U.S. governors, setting strategic direction for policy development, federal engagement, and interstate collaboration on the country’s most consequential challenges. He partners closely with the NGA Chair and Executive Committee to support governors across political lines, strengthen state sovereignty, and elevate governors as the nation’s chief executives. He guides bipartisan policy agendas spanning workforce and economic mobility, public safety, energy, education, and federalism, translating governors’ priorities into coordinated national action. Tatum oversees day-to-day operations, senior staff leadership, budget and fundraising strategy, and external partnerships with federal agencies, foundations, and the private sector, positioning NGA as the premier convener for constructive dialogue, pragmatic problem solving, and results-driven leadership in an increasingly polarized environment.

Prior to NGA, Tatum served as Chief Executive Officer of Oklahoma’s Public Regional University System (RUSO) and as Senior Advisor to Governor J. Kevin Stitt for workforce and education. RUSO comprises six universities, more than 8,200 employees, 42,000 students, and a $480 million annual budget. Under his leadership, the system advanced its mission of providing high-quality, affordable education while strengthening Oklahoma’s workforce and economic competitiveness.

Earlier, Tatum served as Chief of Staff to Governor J. Kevin Stitt, acting as the Governor’s top advisor and strategist. In this role, he was responsible for executing the Governor’s policy agenda, overseeing state agency operations, and managing a 31,000-employee executive branch. He played a central role in shaping education, workforce, and economic development policy, working closely with cabinet officials, legislators, and business leaders to drive innovation, leverage artificial intelligence for efficiency, and strengthen accountability in government.

Before entering public service, Tatum spent fifteen years in education leadership, holding executive roles across both higher education and K–12 systems. He earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from Abilene Christian University. Throughout his career, he has been driven by a commitment to public service and expanding opportunity, focused on building systems that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and create durable pathways to economic and social mobility.