For 33 years, Scott Howat has worked to help lead the students of Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) to success. In 2016, he was appointed Chief Communications Officer and President of the Foundation for OCPS. Howat began his career with OCPS as a high school teacher and school administrator.

In 2006, Howat was appointed the Director of Legislative and Congressional Relations, and later as a member of the superintendent’s cabinet supervising governmental affairs, student enrollment, school siting, and as the chief negotiator for the district. Howat attended Orange County Public Schools before earning his Bachelor’s degree in Politics from Rollins College and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida.

This fall, Howat was a recipient of the 2024 PR News People of the Year Chief Communicators Award. Under his leadership, OCPS has enhanced and maintained a strong brand in a time of widespread attacks on public education, fiscal challenges, and change. He created “Mondays with Maria,” a weekly talk show and podcast with Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez, while also increasing community engagement on social media with good news through “The Slice: Positive News from OCPS.” Howat was recognized among some high-profile honorees in New York City, such as Mastercard, NFL, Nissan, McDonald’s, Adobe, and Dove, just to name a few.

Howat’s wife Catherine, is also an educator and serves as a kindergarten teacher in OCPS. He has two adult children, Marisa and Mason.