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. Dr. Jackson is also an Ordained Baptist Minister. 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 has three sons.

Mr. Tommy Whittle – Vice President for Interscholastics
  

Tommy is a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Industrial Management. He also completed courses in Education at Valdosta State University, and Georgia Southern University. He taught and coached at Irwin Academy in Ocilla, GA (1974-77 and 1979-84) and at Ocmulgee Academy in Lumber City, GA (1977-79). Tommy also served as Headmaster, Athletic Director and coach at Ocmulgee Academy (1984-86), and at Worth Academy in Sylvester, GA (1986-88). He was Assistant Head and Athletic Director at Tiftarea Academy (1988-1997). He joined the GISA staff as Assistant Director in August of 1997. He and his wife have four daughters, two grandsons and four granddaughters.

Ms. Kandy Lau – Vice President for Programs & Member Services
  

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. She began as GISA’s Vice-President for Programs & Member Services in July 2011. Kandy has three daughters and one granddaughter.

Ms. Robin Aylor - Executive Assistant
  

Robin 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. After working 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 began as GISA’s Executive Assistant in November of 1995. She and her husband have one daughter, and a granddaughter.