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Leadership

Welcome to George Walton Academy!

It is my honor to serve as head of the longest-standing independent school in Walton County. As you learn more about GWA, you will appreciate why we are so much “More than a School.” Our mission as an educational institution is to challenge students to excel in academics, athletics, and the arts and to build character, leadership and curiosity. Our values are timeless:

Excellence       Faith       Respect       Engagement       Perseverance

In May 2025, GWA received dual accreditation by both SAIS and GISA. To quote from the final reports, “GWA is a special place where family values are embraced, the atmosphere is incredibly friendly and welcoming, alumni and traditions are important, and yet a rigorous, fast-evolving college-preparatory program is essential to success. The school is perfectly poised to balance school tradition with exciting curricular offerings and innovations.”

Without question, GWA is both deeply rooted in Walton County and fully committed to preparing young people to meet the formidable challenges and complexity of a changing world.  We believe this winning combination will produce lives of purpose and service.

We would love to welcome you to our 62-acre campus so you can experience why GWA is so much more than a school.

Go Bulldogs!

Godspeed,

John D. Marshall

Head of School

Meet Our Team
The members of our administrative team bring diverse experiences and professional expertise to their leadership roles at GWA. Although their interests and skills may vary, they are united in pursuit of the school’s mission.

John D. Marshall

Head of School

Mr. Marshall is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, having majored with honors in American Military History. A member of the 1982 ACC Championship baseball team, he also served as a Resident Advisor. He holds master’s degrees from Duke University and Teachers College at Columbia University. Blessed with four children, Mr. Marshall has served for more than thirty years in education, primarily in faith-based and independent schools in Georgia. In his free time, Marshall enjoys pickleball and cycling, reading the WSJ, and watching his children play sports. He is a longtime Presbyterian (PCA) and his heroes are Martin Luther, Timothy Keller and George C. Marshall.    

Administrative Leadership

Kellie Watts

Assistant Head of School

After earning a full academic merit scholarship to the Georgia Institute of Technology, Kellie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. She went on to achieve licensure as a professional engineer, building her career as a consultant before discovering her true calling in education.  As an educator, Kellie has received honors such as Teacher of the Year and STAR Teacher.  As an administrator, she brings together her engineering background, leadership and problem-solving skills, and passion for student growth to guide faculty and students alike.  

Kellie treasures her family life and her faith. She and her husband, RV, have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of three children: Ethan (UGA '24); Grace (UGA '26), and Will, a freshman at GWA. In her free time, she enjoys reading, solving puzzles, and spending time outdoors.

 

Mark Whitley

Athletic Director

Mark Whitley, a 1980 graduate of Monroe Area High School, earned his bachelor’s degree in HPERD from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in health studies, as well as a specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of Alabama.

Coach Whitley is in his ninth year at GWA. He serves as athletic director and defensive line coach for the football team and teaches Bible to high school students. During his career, he has coached strength and conditioning, track and field, wrestling, and girls basketball. He currently serves as region secretary and executive president of the GIAA Coaches Association. He has been recognized as athletic director of the year four times by the Georgia Athletic Directors Association.

Mark and his wife, Ginger, have been married for 41 years. They have three grown children and six grandchildren. He is an active member of First Baptist Church in Monroe, where he sings in the praise band and teaches Sunday school.

Dr. Jonathan Burke 

Dean of Students

Dr. Jonathan Burke holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction and a master’s degree in special education from Liberty University, along with a Master of Public Administration from Georgia State University. With 18 years of experience in education, he has served in both public and private school settings, bringing a broad perspective to student life and leadership. In addition to his role as dean of students, he teaches advanced eighth grade pre-algebra.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Burke has contributed to three GHSA state basketball championships as an assistant coach. He is an accomplished musician who plays keyboard and organ, serving as the music director at his church.

Jeanie Collin

Lower School Division Head

Jeanie Collin holds a master’s degree in early childhood education from Piedmont University. She is IMSE-certified and recognized as a master teacher through the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA). Over the course of her career, Jeanie has taught across elementary school grade levels and has served in roles ranging from reading interventionist and special education teacher to academic coach. Her passion is supporting both students and teachers, and she brings extensive experience and commitment to helping every child thrive.

Jeanie and her husband, Chris, are proud parents of two children who are GWA alumni.

Matt Reynolds

Director of Advancement

Matt Reynolds, a 2009 graduate of George Walton Academy, earned a Bachelor of Science in education from the University of Georgia in 2013. He returned to GWA that same year to teach sixth grade. He continued teaching for five years and also coached football, basketball, baseball and golf.

After completing a master’s degree in education with a concentration in leadership and supervision in 2018, Matt served as dean of students from 2018 to 2025. In 2025, he transitioned into his current role as director of advancement.

Matt is married to Haley, a fellow GWA alumna from the Class of 2009. They have two daughters, Charlie, 5, and Cate, 2.

 

The Board of Trustees collectively hires, evaluates and supports the head of school, guards the mission, leads strategic planning efforts, and ensures the school's long-term financial viability through ongoing fundraising efforts and prudent budget management. The Board ensures the long-term growth and success of George Walton Academy. It does not engage in the management or daily operations of GWA; that is the purview of the Head of School and his or her administrative team.   

 

Melissa Machen Chapman

Chair of the Board

Melissa is an associate probate judge in Walton County, Georgia. She graduated from GWA in 1993, having attended for 14 years. She and her husband, William Chapman, have five children — Rosalyn Chapman, Class of 2023; McNair Shannahan, Nell Chapman and Fieldon Chapman, Class of 2025; and Landon Shannahan, Class of 2028. With a longstanding family history and dedication to GWA since the late 1970s, Melissa’s grandmother and mother previously served on the board as well. Melissa has served on the board since 2016 and also serves on several other boards in the community.

George Walton Academy Board of Trustees

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Scott Briscoe

Scott is the president of E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc. He started his career in 1993 and worked his way through almost every department at ERS and took over the presidency in 2017.  His two children have been attending GWA since K4. They will graduate in 2025 and 2028.

Bill Bryson

Bill was with Southern Company for 47 years and held leadership positions in accounting, finance and information technology. He retired in 2021. He has two grandchildren at GWA — Noah in the ninth grade and Eleanor in the first grade. His oldest grandson graduated from GWA in 2022. Bill is active in the community and serves on the board of the YMCA and as president of the Rotary Club of Monroe. He and his wife, Sandy, have lived in Monroe for 20 years.

 

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Michael Geoffroy

Michael is an attorney with his law firm, MG Law. He graduated from the University of Florida and earned his JD from the University of Georgia. Michael and his wife, Tara McFarland Geoffroy, are GWA alumni, graduating in 194 and 1995, respectively. They have three children, Mac (GWA ’22) and current students, Hudson and Alice. Michael has served on the GWA Board of Trustees since 2011.

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Richard Hester

Richard, a George Walton Academy alumnus (1984), has served on the Board since 2011. As CEO of Hester Insurance Agency, Richard continues his family's legacy of leadership at GWA, following in the footsteps of his father, a school founder. He and his wife, Laurie, have two children, Charlie (GWA '19) and Kate (GWA '17), continuing his family's deep-rooted connection to the school.

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Andrea Hill

Andrea is a former supply chain executive and current supply chain consultant.  Her community involvement includes former board member and chairman for Phoenix Pass, and current board member for JH Outback Atlanta.  She and her husband, Jason, have a son who graduated from GWA in 2023, and a daughter who graduated in 2025.

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Bob Hill

Bob graduated with honors from Auburn University with a degree in architecture. His expertise lies in designing educational facilities, financial institutions, and corporate headquarters. Bob has demonstrated a strong commitment to the community, serving as a board member for GWA for 25 years. He is also a parent of a GWA alumnus (Class of 2005).

 

Gary Hobbs

Gary Hobbs is a career Army officer who served for 28 years. He retired in 1999 with the rank of brigadier general. He returned to education, where he held positions as a teacher and coach, assistant principal, principal of Loganville High School, assistant superintendent, and superintendent of the Walton County School District for eight years. He served as head of school at GWA from 2021 to 2023.

Gary holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Southern University, a master’s degree from Georgia College, and a specialist degree in educational administration from the University of Georgia. He has a grandson at GWA, Mason, who is in the 10th grade.

Mike Malcom

Mike is an attorney in Monroe, Georgia. He is a GWA Class of 1984 graduate and the father of two GWA alumni. Mike has been affiliated with George Walton Academy since 1973.

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Taylor Manry

Taylor is a partner at Sugarloaf Wealth Management in Watkinsville, Georgia.  He is an honors graduate from Auburn University with a degree in finance. He lives in Monroe with his wife, Nicole, and son, Miles, a fourth grader at GWA. 

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Jason McCarthy

Jason is a proud GWA parent of Harrison (Class of 2026), Carter (Class of 2028) and Truman (Class of 2032) and has been a GWA parent since 2013. He is the chief financial officer at Centegix and a licensed CPA in Georgia.

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Vicky Peppers

Vicky attended Georgia College in Milledgeville. She’s the co-owner of Apex Painting & Decorating in Conyers, Georgia, a family-owned business since 1985. She and her husband, Bart, have two children, one of whom currently attends GWA and one graduate (Class of 2022). Vicky has been a GWA parent since 2009.

Roy N. Roberts, Jr.

Roy has served as a GWA board member since 2008 and most recently as the Board Chair (2020 - 2025). He is first VP at Stifel Financial, Fitzgerald/Roberts Wealth Management. Roy is a proud George Walton Academy alumnus (1986) and his two children graduated from GWA in 2019 and 2021.