GHSA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
- Vice - President
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- CARTERSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS / 320 E. CHURCH STREET / CARTERSVILLE, GA 30120
Darrell joined the GHSA in May of 2023 as an Associate Director. He has served as a GHSA basketball District Coordinator/Evaluator for the past 13 years prior to joining the GHSA staff. His areas of responsibilities include Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball and he will assist with the Officiating Department.
Darrell has officiated high school and women's collegiate level (Division II, NAIA and Junior College) for over 25 years and was selected to work multiple championship tournaments on all levels. Darrell has been recognized by both the NFHS and GHSA for excellence in officiating.
Darrell is a graduate of Albany State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated.
Darrell was born in Fort Rucker, Alabama and was raised in a military family which led him to enlist in the U.S. Army where he became a decorated Desert Storm veteran. He and his wife Nicole currently reside in Albany, Georgia with their son Nicholas.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Don began working at GHSA as an Associate Director in July, 2017, coordinating the sports of Softball, Wrestling and Baseball. He also handles Sports Medicine for the GHSA Office.
Don worked for 22 years teaching and counseling in Clayton County Public Schools. For 21 years, he was the Jonesboro High School head baseball coach as well as coaching other athletic activities including football, basketball and cross country. He was elected to serve Region 2AAAAA and 4AAAAA as Region Secretary (4 years) and Region 5AAAA as Executive Committee member (1 year) during his Clayton County tenure.
He worked as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Etowah High School (2 years) and as Supervisor of Student Activities/Athletics (3 years) for the Cherokee County School District. He was elected to serve Region 7AAAA, 7AAAAA and 6AAAAAA as Region Secretary (8 years) and Executive Committee member (8 years) during his Cherokee County tenure. Upon completing 33 years in the education field, Don retired in May, 2016 from the position of Director of Personnel Staffing for the Cherokee County School District.
Don has received numerous honors as a coach, including: Atlanta Braves 400 Club Coach of the Year, Georgia Dugout Club All-Star Team Head Coach and Team Georgia Head Coach. He has also been inducted into the Georgia Dugout Club Coaches Hall of Fame.
Don has an undergraduate degree in Athletic Administration and Coaching from the University of Southern Mississippi, Master's degree in School Counseling from the State University of West Georgia and a Specialist's degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.
Don and his wife, Tena, have a wonderful daughter, Victoria. Victoria is married to Jeff and they have two sons: Edwardo (11 years old) and Maddux born in August 2022. Tena is a retired educator who enjoys watching our grandson, Maddux, while his parents are working as educators. Don was born and raised in Bay St. Louis, MS and still visits frequently to enjoy his house on the beach. Don enjoys spending time with his family at the beach house, fishing, playing baseball and basketball with Edwardo, and cheering the Braves on to victory.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Robin holds a B.S.Ed. and M.Ed. from Valdosta State University and an Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University. He previously served in the Houston County School System as principal of Northside High School, Assistant Superintendent for School Operations and Superintendent of Schools. He also served as high school principal in Jackson and Charlton Counties. During his career in education Dr. Hines has served as a teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- President
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Executive Director
Ernie began working for the GHSA as the Rules Interpreter for basketball in 1992 and softball in 1997. He was added to the fulltime staff as an Associate Director in 2002. He currently serves as the Coordinator of Officiating and his additional responsibilities include sport coordinator for lacrosse. He also serves as the logistics coordinator for many of the State Championship events.
Prior to joining the GHSA staff, Ernie taught and coached for six years at the high school and the college levels for 10 years in California, Oklahoma and Georgia. He also worked in player development in the NFL for 13 years with the Buccaneers, Cardinals, and Jets.
Ernie officiated basketball at the high school and college levels for 32 years, during which he officiated high school championship games in three states (Oklahoma, California, Georgia) and was an official for international games prior to the start of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He was selected as the Naismith High School Basketball Official of the Year in Georgia for 1995. Ernie served as the Director of Officiating for the first Women's Professional Basketball League (ABL) from 1996-99, and serves as an officials' observer for the ACC, SOCON, and Big South.
Ernie has been actively involved in fast pitch softball for more than 50 years as a player, coach and administrator. He currently serves as the Georgia State and Southeast Regional Junior Olympic Commissioner for USA Softball. Ernie was inducted in the Georgia Softball Hall of Fame in 2016 and coached the Gold Medal USA Softball Girls Junior National Team in the 2019 Pan American Games in Columbia, South America.
He was a four-sport letterman at Owasso High School (Oklahoma), and College Division All American football player at the University of San Diego in 1973.
Ernie was recently awarded the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Sam Burke Award for his commitment to high school athletics in the state of Georgia, and the prestigious NFHS Citation Award for his leadership and contribution to high school athletics.
Ernie was born in Alameda, California, raised in Owasso, Oklahoma and was a Vietnam-era veteran while serving in the U.S. Navy. He and his wife Cindy currently reside in Canton, have two children (Shawn and Chelsy) and are the proud grandparents of Hampton.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Jay returned to the GHSA in 2023 as an Associate Director following a four year absence (He previously served as the GHSA Assistant Executive Director from 2014-2018.) His primary sports will be Football, Flag Football, Golf and Hardship Eligibility.
Jay is an Athens native and the son of legendary football coach Erk Russell. After graduating from the University of Georgia, he coached a combined 17 years at Barnesville Academy, Georgia Southern, Rabun County, Stephens County, and Gordon Central. Jay moved to LaGrange in 2000 and spent the next 13 years in school and system administration retiring in 2013. Following his retirement, he held several positions.
Jay has long term involvements with the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association, the Georgia Athletic Directors Association, the American Football Coaches Association, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also volunteered in several capacities with his latest being "Rock Steady" (an exercise program for Parkinson's patients) and "Take Stock in Children (a mentoring program for at risk middle school and high school students in Florida.)
Jay has three children, all successful educators. He is the proud grandparent of six - four boys and two girls.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Julie is responsible for the Coaches Education Program (Community/Lay Coach), including the yearly setup and scheduling of classes. Julie was involved in the initial implementation of the GHSA Community Coach database. She processes the CEP registration, testing and certification of each coach.
Julie also is responsible for processing Notification of Entry information provided by each member school. Julie has worked in the Georgia High School Association office since 2000 and has experience in a variety of GHSA functions.
Born in Columbus, Julie moved to Atlanta at an early age and lived there until moving to Thomaston, where she has resided since 1971.
Julie is the proud mother of one daughter. Her husband is a retired electrician. He enjoys building acoustic guitars and woodworking.
Julie's interests include music, reading, antique/junktique shopping, spending time with her family, her fur babies and going to the mountains.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Kevin joined the GHSA staff as an Associate Director in May of 2018. His responsibilities include Bass Fishing and liaison for both football and soccer.
Kevin is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a both a B.Ed. & M.A.Ed. in Health and Physical Education. He also holds an M.A.Ed. & Ed.S in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Valdosta State University.
As an educator, athletic coach, and administrator with extensive experience in both large and small high schools, Kevin joins the GHSA with over 30 years of experience in athletics. He played both high school and college football. As a football coach at Colquitt County High School, his team won a state football championship in 1994. In later years as AD at Colquitt County, they won back to back state championships in football in 2014 & 2015. In his position as Athletic Director for Colquitt County Schools in Moultrie, Kevin oversaw one of the largest Athletic Departments in Georgia Public Schools. In 2015, he was awarded both the State of Georgia AAAAAA Athletic Director of the year and the Region 1AAAAAA Athletic Director of the Year.
Kevin previously served as GHSA Region Secretary for Region 1-AAAAAA from 2002 thru 2015. He also served on the GHSA State Executive Committee as the Region 1AAAAAA representative from 2012 thru 2016. He is a past member of the GACA, GADA, Professional Association of Georgia Educators and the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals.
Kevin and his wife of 30 years, Lynn, have two children, Shannon, and Bryce, both educators.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Member of the GHSA Staff
Linda has been a member of the GHSA Staff since August, 2020. As an Administrative Assistant, her responsibilities are assisting Associate Directors, Business Manager and other Administrative Assistants.
She is a Mary Persons High School graduate and attended Macon College with concentration in Business Administration/Clerical Specialization.
Prior to joining GHSA, Linda had 32 years in education with Monroe County BOE in the roles of Administrative Assistant, After School Child Care Coordinator, Cheerleading Coach and Instructional Paraprofessional.
Linda and her husband enjoy short trips for entertainment and joyrides. Her personal interests includes shopping, attending athletic events and spending time with family.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
- BUTLER HIGH SCHOOL
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Pam began working with the Georgia High School Association as Registrar of Officials in May of 1993. She is responsible for processing official's registrations; posting officials camps, clinics, test scores, games worked, and maintenance of classification records for over 7,000 active officials.
Pam also is responsible for the officials' years of service awards program and the ordering, printing and distribution of officials training materials to 153 GHSA charter officials associations. She works very closely with the leadership of each association to ensure that their officials are properly registered and meet eligibility criteria prior to officiating GHSA contests.
A native of Thomaston, Pam graduated from Upson High School in 1988 and earned her B.S. degree in Business Administration from Mercer University in 1992.
Her interests includes crocheting, cooking, hiking, reading, traveling, spending time with her family and a love for all things nature. She is often found planning and traveling with her family to the Great Smoky Mountains to hike waterfall and wildflower trails.
Pam lives in Upson County and is blessed with a wonderful husband and their awesome son.
Penny joined the GHSA staff in July of 2016. As an Associate Director, her responsibilities include the administration of Sideline and Competitive Cheerleading, Competitive Dance, Gymnastics and Student Leadership. She is a graduate of University of West Georgia with a B.S. in Health and Physical Education.
Penny and her husband, Bob, have a growing family. Her oldest son, Kip Burdette and his wife Sara, have one daughter, Cami. Her younger son, Dan Burdette, his wife Chelsea and their son Skylar live in Newnan. Penny's father is Dan Pitts who coached at Mary Persons for 41 years.
Penny is from Forsyth, Georgia where she taught in Monroe County and coached cheerleading at Mary Persons HS for 13 years. A member of the Georgia Cheerleading Coaches Association, she held many offices including secretary, vice president and president. Her team was named GA Team of the year in 2007 and she was named Coach of the Year in 2010. She also coached tennis and gymnastics for many years as she taught in 5 different counties throughout her teaching career.
In the fall of 2010, Penny became the Spirit Coordinator over cheerleading and dance for Mercer University, starting the dance program for spirit. In 2013, she worked for the Bears inaugural football season and was the cheerleading coach until 2016.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
Robin has served as the Business Manager for the GHSA since 2012. Her responsibilities include Budgeting & Finance, Dues, Playoff Finances, Purchasing and Staff Procedures.
Prior to coming to the GHSA, Robin had 30 years' experience in the areas of Human Resources, Employee Benefits, Budgeting, Purchasing, Accounts Receivable/Payable and Payroll. She has an extensive background in Office Management and Supervision.
Robin is a graduate of Mercer University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In addition, she has attended numerous seminars/workshops in EEO, Supervision, Leadership Development, Employment Law and Communications.
Robin was born (along with a twin sister) and raised in Thomaston. She is married to Jim Bullington and they have six children and eight grandchildren. They are empty-nesters.
In her spare time, Robin enjoys spending time with her family and her four-legged babies, shopping, gardening and travel. She is an active member of Antioch Baptist Church. Robin and her family have actively supported the American Cancer Society Relay for Life since 1996 in memory of her daughter. She has previously served as a hospice volunteer.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
As receptionist, Sheri greets visitors to the GHSA office in Thomaston. Sheri's duties also include processing Lifetime Pass Applications, overseeing the School System Pass List, processing Ejection Reports and filling Publication Orders. Sheri has been a member of the GHSA staff since 2002.
Born and raised in Upson County, Sheri currently resides in Pike County. She attended Upson High School, graduating in 1992.
Sheri is the proud mother of six children - one daughter and five athletic sons (Bristol, Dalton, Triston, Cabon, Will and Hayes)
Sheri's husband, David Eubanks, is an instructional coach and boys soccer coach at Upson-Lee High School.
Sheri's hobbies include sporting events with the family, cooking, gardening, farming, reading books, going to the lake, the beach and - most of all - the mountains.
Stacey's responsibilities include processing of non-transfer eligibilities, directory, rules clinic fines, and coordinating the collection and update of school contact information. Stacey began working with the Georgia High School Association in 2005, spending the first five of those years as a student intern while attending school full time.
Stacey graduated from Upson-Lee High School in 2007 and went on to earn an Associate's Degree in Accounting from Southern Crescent Technical College and a Bachelor's degree in business with a concentration in finance from Columbia Southern University.
Exercising and leading a healthy life style, spending time with her family, and cheering on her kids at their soccer and baseball games are just a few of Stacey's interests.
Job Titles:
- Director of Media Relations
Steve's duties include acting as liaison with the media representatives as they cover the various GHSA events, especially during the playoffs. Steve also is responsible for much of the content on the GHSA web site, as well as publishing the GHSA newsletter, Constitution & By-Laws and Calendar. He serves as the sports coordinator for Tennis.
Steve came to the GHSA in 2001 after spending most of his professional career in journalism. Born and raised in Atlanta, Steve currently resides in Griffin with his lovely bride, Victoria.
After graduating from Avondale High School and Georgia Tech, Steve spent the next 28 years in journalism. Although he worked for the Gwinnett Daily News, the Marietta Daily Journal and the Gwinnett Daily Post, Steve is mainly known for being the High School Sports Editor of the Atlanta Constitution for 15 years.
During his career, Steve received several awards for his writing, including two merit awards from the Associated Press, certificates of appreciation from both the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association and the Georgia Athletic Directors Association and a lifetime appreciation award from the Atlanta Touchdown Club.
Steve also received the Al Ceraldo Media Award from Georgia Tech as well as the Tipoff Citation from the Atlanta Tipoff Club, both for "outstanding contributions to basketball" in Georgia.
Steve founded and published the Georgia High School Football magazine from 1992-2000. The publication is still produced to this day by current owner/editor David Patterson.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Tanya began at the GHSA in April, 1995 after working for several years in banking. In her years with the GHSA, she has worked under four Executive Directors and experienced many changes and updates in the GHSA office.
Tanya's responsibilities include coordinating Cross Country, Track and Field, Esports, Literary and One Act Play. In addition, she works with sanctioning events statewide and nationally, and serves as the DragonFly liaison for schools.
Tanya attended private schools before graduating from Upson High School. After graduation, she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Columbus State University, attending night classes while working at GHSA.
Tanya and her husband, Mike, have one daughter, Ashlynn, who is a student at UGA. Tanya's personal interests include exercising, reading and outdoor activities.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
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- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee