GISA Staff

GISA STAFF

 

Dr. Jeff Jackson – President

Dr. Jackson received his B.S. degree from The University of Louisville, and his M.A. degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He then went on to earn his Doctor of Education from Tennessee State University in 1994 and his MBA from Shorter College in 2008. Before coming to GISA in July 2009, Dr. Jackson served as Headmaster at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School in Atlanta from 2002-2009; at Deerfield-Windsor School in Albany as Head of The Middle/Upper School; and prior to that, he was Headmaster at First Baptist School in Shreveport and Assistant Headmaster at Tattnall Square Academy in Macon. He also served as Assistant Professor of Education at Palm Beach Atlantic College in West Palm Beach, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Education at Mercer University in Macon. Dr. Jackson’s outstanding credentials are evidenced in the numerous social and educational awards he has received. Some of the many distinguished honors include Tennessee State University’s Graduate Researcher of the Year, a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Visiting Accreditation Teams, and he was an Advisory Board Member of The Teacher Academy Magnet School for the Palm Beach County School system. Jeff and his wife Kim have five sons.

Ms. Kandy Lau – Vice President & CFO

Kandy joined the GISA Team in July 2011. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Kandy moved to Atlanta in 1971. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgia State University, completed educational coursework at Brenau University, and received a Master of Science in Educational Leadership degree from Walden University. Kandy’s career began in the corporate world where she was an assistant merchandising manager with Champion International Corporation, which provided her with over 11 years of marketing, business management, and human resource skills. Kandy also has over 25 years of experience in independent education which includes 22 years at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School in Atlanta from 1989 to 2011 where she served as PK and Kindergarten teacher, Head of Lower School, Assistant Head of School, and Director of the Early Learning Center. Kandy has three daughters and five grandchildren.

Dr. Stan Whitlock – Vice-President

Stan joined the GISA Team in July 2016. Previously he served as Head of School at Wardlaw from 2010 to 2016. He was Director of External Affairs and Assistant Athletic Director, Teacher, and Coach at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School from 1998 to 2010. Prior to MVPS, he worked as a Loan & Collections Officer at The Palmetto Bank, and was a professional kicker for numerous teams from 1996 to 2002, including Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Georgia Force, and Columbus Wardogs. Stan completed his Doctorate (Ed.D.) at Capella University, and also holds an M.Ed. from Western Governors University and a B.S. in Physical Education and Health from Madison University. He and his wife, Leslie have two daughters.

Ms. Robin Aylor – Director of Member Services

Robin joined the GISA Team in November 1995. She is originally from South Carolina and moved to Georgia in 1992. She attended the University of South Carolina-Beaufort and later completed her A.S. in Business Management at Gordon College in Barnesville, GA., and earned her B.B.A. in Business Management from Clayton State University. Robin worked a number of years in the corporate world as a Sales Assistant at Amoco Performance Products in Alpharetta and as Marketing Assistant for MCC Panasonic’s cellular phone division in Peachtree City, GA. She and her husband have one daughter and son-in-law, and two grand-darlings.

Ms. Paula GillispieDirector of Accreditation

Paula joined the GISA Team in July 2018. She received a B.S. degree in Education from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University. Her career in education includes experience as a classroom teacher, Division Head, Dean of Students, and Head of School. She retired in June of 2018 after serving as Head of School for eight years at Oak Mountain Academy in Carrollton, Georgia. Additionally, Paula was a member of the GISA Board of Trustees and chaired accreditation teams for SAIS. Paula and her husband reside in Peachtree City and enjoy being close to their son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Mr. Clint Morgan – Director of Athletics

Clint joined the GISA Team in June 2016. Previously, he served as Head Football, Head Track Coach, and Teacher at Tattnall Square Academy in Macon. He has served in numerous capacities such as Athletic Director, Head Football, Track, and Baseball Coach at several GISA Member schools since 1994, including Frederica Academy, Bulloch Academy, David Emanuel Academy, and Tiftarea Academy. He has also served as GISA Region Secretary, and as a representative on the GISA Advisory Board and Reclassification Committee. Clint’s vast experience with both GISA and GHSA makes him a great addition to the GISA Team. Clint earned his B.S. in Education from Georgia Southwestern College in Americus and is a graduate of Southland Academy. He and his wife, Shay reside in Statesboro with their two sons.