Director, REL West
Dr. Gary D. Estes
Dr. Gary Estes has overseen the regional educational laboratory at WestEd since 1990. His current REL West efforts concentrate on working with alliances among districts, states, and other agencies to facilitate the development and use of evidence in policy and practice. In the most recently completed REL contract, REL West completed 30 peer-reviewed studies, including six large randomized control studies, and organized events across the region that disseminated research-based information. Estes is also WestEd's Chief Program Officer, overseeing management and quality of a multi–million dollar portfolio of work that includes research studies, development of research-based interventions, dissemination, and technical assistance. Estes has over 35 years experience in education, including directing the Evaluation and Assessment Program and Title I/Chapter 1 Technical Assistance Centers at Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory prior to joining WestEd. He received a BS in mathematics from Grand Canyon College, and an MA in secondary education and mathematics, and PhD in educational psychology, both from Arizona State University.