Luis Ramos, a Governing Board member and civic leader whose years of service included education, business, and community groups, died on Jan. 1 in an auto accident in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Ramos, 57 and of Shickshinny, Pa., was appointed to the National Assessment Governing Board in 2004 and also served as vice-chair of its Reporting and Dissemination committee. But even before his appointment to the Board, Mr. Ramos had extensive community involvement in education issues.

He served on the Pennsylvania State Board of Education and was appointed to the U.S. Senate Republican Task Force on Hispanic Affairs. He also served as a member of the Empowerment Team, a task force formed to help the Allentown (Pa.) School District make an academic recovery. Mr. Ramos frequently championed the issues of low-income and minority students.

A 34-year employee at the PPL Corporation, where since 2004 he was community relations manager at the company's headquarters in Allentown, Mr. Ramos was also very active in the local business community. He was a local Chamber of Commerce chairman and founding member of the Hispanic Business Council, pioneering the promotion of regional Latino businesses.

Mr. Ramos also was an active fundraiser for local chapters the United Way, Boy Scouts of America, and Y.M.C.A. as well as the area's public library. An avid soccer player who was formerly a referee, he coached the sport and was instrumental in the formation of the Allentown Youth Soccer League.

"Luis provided valuable and extraordinary service to this Board and to his larger community, where the impact is still felt," said Charles Smith, Governing Board Executive Director. "Yet he was so humble about his work and accomplishments, always choosing to shine the spotlight on others."

Born in Puerto Rico, Mr. Ramos moved to Bethlehem, Pa., as a child with his family. After graduating from Lehigh University, he remained in the state where his civic work won him numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Lehigh University Volunteer Service Award.

Mr. Ramos is survived by his wife, Sharon, daughter, Jennifer, and son, Gregory.