I hope this doesn't sound harsh, but does Mr. Draeger have *any* experience working in financial aid at a non-profit college or university?

doesn't sound like it from the press release
http://www.nasfaa.org/publications/2010/andraegerceo050610.html

The press release very carefully doesn't mention where he worked prior to joining NASFAA. Contrast this to the detailed institutional biography in the press release for Phil Day:

"Most recently, he served as the chancellor of City College of San Francisco, one of the largest and most diverse community college districts in the United States. Prior to City College, Day served as the president of Daytona Beach Community College, Cape Cod Community College in Massachusetts, and Dundalk Community College in Baltimore, Maryland."

http://www.nasfaa.org/publications/2007/anday122007.html

Who exactly runs this association? Who are its board members?

How is it they chose someone who was "financial aid director" for the Douglas J. Aveda Institute, which says about itself at its web page:

"For over 22 years, the Douglas J Aveda Institute has been committed to providing a well-rounded education to aspiring professionals entering the Salon/Spa Industry."

And this qualifies him to lead the nation's financial aid directors how?

Greeneye -- good point, especially for a job that pays in the ballpark of $300K

It is interesting to contrast NASFAA's leadership structure with my own professional association (NAFSA: Association of International Educators, formerly the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs). NAFSA's president is a current active member/ volunteer, elected by the general membership each year (several years in advance, of course). NAFSA's staff members are lead by an executive director, a position that probably has more in common with the the NASFAA presidency in this article.

This is an appropriate choice for NASFAA president.

The future of the NASFAA is working with private, for-profit schools who will be navigating a minefield of compliance and accountability in the near future. Someone who was a financial aid director at a Beauty School and has a graduate degree from a private "career" college with multiple outlets.

This is the future of the NASFAA -protecting private colleges from the 90/10 rule, fighting stricter cohort rates that expose sham schools,

Soon, our government will be debating the removal of protected status for private loans - loans that carry rates sometimes higher than credit cards. By protected - I mean they were granted the special treatment of private debt being granted non-dismissal under bankruptcy reserved for government guaranteed loans. Where the NASFAA comes down on this issue will be telling on where the NASFAA charts it's future. Will it be in the pen with Buck McKeon, Lamar Alexander, and Sallie Mae? Or will it actually favor students for the first time in a long time? Will the NASFAA continue to contend that the removal of corrupt individuals and fining corrupt practices was a witch hunt?

Mr. Draeger called recent regulations to stem the scam schools and their costs to the taxpayer a "Trifecta of Federal Burdens." To quote: "The growing complexity of federal regulations diverts school staff away from students and into compliance management. . . " Yeah . . . those pesky regulations - a few Aid Directors at places like Maryland, USC, Columbia and Texas hated them too.

In 2007, a study was released highlighting the cohort rates for three versus two years - a more accurate measure to be implemented in 2014. LIterally, a hundred schools would face sanctions that do not face such today. In fact, of the top 25 cohort rates - Beauty Schools account for 28%. So - Mr. Draeger is indeed uniquely qualified to fight, for their right, to Beauty.

Mr. Draeger, has a strong zeal for self promotion. His writings, blog, etc - have all been spidered and saved for future quotation. He is under a microscope as the reform of the student loan industry continues. It's up to Mr. Draeger as to where the NASFAA goes onward - on the side of lenders, or students/graduates. The reform movement helped put the NASFAA in it's current light. It's his move.

If you're interested, here's Mr. Draeger's linkedin resume (with a paltry 172 connections!):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/justindraeger

While he appears to be the youngest of the three finalists, Mr. Draeger's writings indicate he is apparently trapped intellectually in the 1990s, where blind support for guaranteed lending and reflexive opposition to direct lending was a stance that enabled many a young man to earn an excellent living as an association lobbyist. While many might smirk and assume that he will get over it and move on, his side having lost completely, it would be a mistake to count his 'team' out this early in the game. At the first misstep, and, yes, there are always missteps, in the 'newer' world of direct lending, Draeger's cold warriors of guaranteed lending will be helpfully waiting backstage to offer to re-take the reins of postsecondary education for America and, coincidentially, restore the 'glory days' of lavish sponsorship of his association's conferences, events, and other activities.

I can't ever remember be ashamed of any NASFAA members as I am after reading these "smug" comments from such a sadistic group of people. If you had a better candidate for the job, why didn't you speak up???? At least Justin has done nothing that would require law enforcement to bring charges like someone that we know. And, where was that someone from.....oh yeah, the Public Sector. Imagine that!!!

I thank the Board of Directors for their work in making the best choice from a list of very competent and capable individuals. Having worked with Justin and NASFAA in a number of volunteer activities, I have seen the leadership he can provide to the Association. I believe his depth of knowledge regarding federal student aid issues and his politically saavy ability to maneuver along the beltway will be an asset to our organization.

He has developed key links with the Department, congressional leaders, and other educational associations that will enable NASFAA to greatly assist colleges and advocate on their behalf.

I look forward to working with Justin and NASFAA as we continue our efforts to deliver needed assistance to students.

This is troublesome. . . .NASFAA's role has historically been to advocate on behalf of colleges and universities and their constituencies (e.g. students), not on behalf of lendors!

Justin Draeger will prove to be an excellent advocate for all students and financial aid administrators. He is a highly intelligent, talented and dedicated professional who will work tirelessly to achieve NASFAA's goals. His personal integrity is at the highest level. His unanimous support by association leaders is well deserved.

Thanks to all the NASFAA staff and board members who have weighed in to support Draeger. NASFAA appears to be a leaderless ship at present. After the problems with Phil Day - who was a bold pick as president - the orgaization has swung to the other extreme and played it safe. One can only wonder if Mr. Draeger was the first pick of the Board. Look at his experience (all from his LinkedIn profile, noted above):

-- 20 months as Director of FinAid at a beauty school, a job he evidently took right after college graduation. How demanding could the job be if they handed it over to someone right out of college? All he had to do was shove a FAFSA in front of the kids' noses to get them a Pell and Stafford.

-- 2 1/2 years as a financial analyst at a guarantee agency

-- two years as Assoc. Director of Communications at NASFAA, where his primary responsibility was probably writing press releases (did he write the press release when Phil Day was hired?)

-- and finally, 20 months as VP for Policy at NASFAA, which means he's been involved in higher ed policy issues on the Hill only slightly longer than Arne Duncan.

Anyone who wants to argue that he's the most qualified person for the position is disingenuous at best. Maybe he was the best qualified of the three finalists, but even that is questionable. What does this say about the organization that this is the best person they could hire?

As a school financial aid director who has served in many volunteer positions with NASFAA, I can tell you that I'm very pleased with the appointment of Justin to this position. His knowledge and skills are exactly what the association needs right now and, judging by his past performance, he will do well. It's amazing to me how many commenters feel the need to make pointless remarks based on little or no knowledge of the situation or individual.

Little or no knowledge? Just basing the comments on his resume, which is pretty thin for someone in a position like this.