President, SkyLearn, LLC
An entrepreneur, civic volunteer and businessman, Jesse Overton II has said, “There is a gap that, when unattended, results in a lifetime equity gap for students who fail to master the foundational skills of reading and math.” This thinking has been embedded in both his professional career, during which he founded SkyTech, Inc., a satellite communication company, and SkyLearn, LLC, a best-in-class educational K-12 application software business, and in his founding in 2004 of the Hurdles Foundation, whose mission is to ensure that every child has a chance at a healthy, safe, and nurtured start to life. In both cases, Mr. Overton is driven to help children overcome life’s hurdles, and reach their full potential as contributing members of the community. Mr. Overton earned his B. A. degree from the University of Minnesota. His career path includes stops at 3M, Digital Equipment Corporation, and Honeywell. He also has served as chairman of the Minnesota Racing Commission, chairman of the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership, and President of the St. Paul NAACP.