Bob Wilson, Chair

Robert E. Wilson (Bob), an attorney for 25 years, served as chief public defender for DeKalb County 1978-80, was District Attorney for the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit from 1980-92, and was vice-chair and presiding officer for the State Board of Public Safety from 1991-92.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Atlanta Bar Association, the Atlanta Lawyers Club, the American Trial Lawyers Association, the DeKalb Bar Association, the Decatur Rotary Club, and Decatur Presbyterian Church. He is currently serving as chair of the Dekalb Medical Center Foundation Board and serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Center for Children, Inc., the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center, and Boy Scouts of America, Atlanta Area Council.

He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC and holds a law degree from Emory University School of Law. He and his wife Lynda have two sons, Matthew and Alex, and a daughter Sarah who have all attended the City Schools of Decatur.

Gayle Gellerstedt, Vice-Chair

Gayle Gellerstedt serves as the director of the Whitefoord Child Development Program in Atlanta, after having taught at College Heights Elementary School in Decatur for seven years. She is a former member of the Agnes Scott College Board of Trustees and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Rabun Gap School and Kids in Need in Metropolitan Atlanta. She is a member of Leadership Atlanta, Leadership Georgia, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, and the Junior League of Atlanta.

Ms. Gellerstedt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Agnes Scott College and a Master of Education degree in early childhood education from Georgia State University. Her husband is Bill Funk, retired principal of Decatur High School. She has three sons, Thomas, David, and Hays, four stepdaughters, and one grandson.

Lyn Menne, Secretary

Lyn Menne is the director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Decatur, a position she has held since the early 1980’s. She is president of the Georgia Downtown Association and a member of the Dekalb Historical Society Board of Trustees, the Decatur Business Association Board, the Oakhurst Community Garden Advisory Board, and North Decatur Presbyterian Church.

She holds a bachelor of arts degree in American Studies from Queens College in Charlotte, NC and a masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Georgia.

Her husband is Doug Menne, and they have two children, Logan Menne, who will graduate from high school in 2003, and Grayson Menne, who currently attends Decatur High School. They have lived in Decatur since 1989.

Charles Orth, Treasurer

Charles A. Orth, a partner with Westbrook, McGrath, Gibson, and Orth, attended Clairemont Elementary School and is a 1965 graduate of Decatur High School. He played basketball for two years and was a member of the tennis team for four years.

He attended Florida Southern College and holds a BBA degree in accounting from Georgia State University. He was formerly on the Board of Directors of the Decatur Downtown Development Authority, the Decatur/DeKalb YMCA, and Decatur Cooperative Ministry. He is a member of Decatur Presbyterian Church, Georgia Society of CPA’s, American Institute of CPA’s, and the Decatur High School Alumni Association.

He and his wife Elizabeth Blanchard Orth, also a 1965 Decatur High graduate, have five sons, Cliff, Shawn, Billy, Brent and Brandon and one daughter, Holly Broom. They have five grandsons, Jordan Anderson, Dawson Anderson, Jake Broom, Rhys Broom and Ansley Orth.

Candler Broom

Candler M. Broom, a life-long resident of Decatur, attended Ponce de Leon Grammar School and graduated from Decatur High School in 1958. While at the high school, he played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track. He was a senior superlative and participated in May Court activities.

His wife Colline is also a graduate of Decatur High School, and her grandfather E.E. Treadwell was the first superintendent of City Schools of Decatur. They have one daughter Jennifer, a son Bo, and a grandson Jacob.

Mr. Broom is the owner of Austin Brown, Inc. and is a member of the Decatur Rotary Club and Decatur Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Decatur Board of Education in the middle 1970’s, was a Decatur City Commissioner from 1981-1992, and also served as vice mayor of Decatur. He is on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Center for Children, Southern Champion Construction Company, and Premier Bank. He is a 1964 graduate of Georgia Tech.

Dr. Mary Brown Bullock

Mary Brown Bullock is President of Agnes Scott College, an independent, national liberal arts college for women located in metropolitan Atlanta and one of the nation’s top women’s colleges. Dr. Bullock is chair of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU); vice chair of the Women’s College Coalition; a member of the Board of Directors, SunTrust Bank, Atlanta; and a director of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. She serves on other boards in the Atlanta area and is active on national boards regarding China.

Dr. Bullock is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Agnes Scott College and received her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Chinese history from Stanford University. Before becoming President of Agnes Scott, she presided as director of the Asia Program at The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. and was a professorial lecturer at The Johns Hopkins University School for Advanced International Studies.

She is the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries and spent ten years in Korea and Japan. She and her husband George have two children, Ashley and Graham.

Dennis Byerly

Dennis R. Byerly, chief executive officer of Third Millennium Healthcare Systems, Inc. is a native of Decatur. He attended Clairemont Elementary School and graduated from Decatur High School in 1965. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Georgia State University and served in the U. S. Navy for five years.

He was captain of the Decatur High School football team and a senior superlative of the class of 1965. His wife, Janel Espy Byerly, is also a 1965 graduate of Decatur High School, and they have two sons, Ray and Jim.

He serves on the Board of Directors of Third Millennium Health Care Systems, Inc. Third Millennium Communications, Inc., and Speech Machines, Inc. The Byerlys attend Decatur First United Methodist Church.

Susan Cobleigh

Susan Cobleigh was elected to the City Schools of Decatur Board of Education in November 1993. She served as board vice chair in 1998 and 1999 and served as board chair through 2001. She also served as the District 4 Director for the Georgia School Boards Association.

A member of the Decatur Business Association and Decatur Presbyterian Church, Ms. Cobleigh has lived in the Great Lakes neighborhood for 15 years. Her daughters, Meghan and Caitlin Medlock, attended Clairemont Elementary and Renfroe Middle Schools. Meghan graduated from Decatur High School in 1993, and Caitlin graduated in 1995.

Ms. Cobleigh attended Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Georgia State University. She is Operations Manager for the DeKalb County District Attorney’s office.

Haywood Curry

Haywood Curry, president of Engineering Design Technologies, Inc., is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University and has lived in Decatur for 20 years.

He is an elder at North Decatur Presbyterian Church and a member of the Decatur Housing Authority Commission. He and his wife Linda have three children, Sarah, Ross, and Bart, all of whom have attended Decatur schools.

Walt Drake

Walt Drake is a managing partner for McCurdy and Candler, LLC and a former mayor of Decatur. He is past president of the Decatur Rotary Club, a member of the DeKalb Medical Center Foundation, the DeKalb Estate Planning Council, the State Bar of Georgia, and the DeKalb Historical Society. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Decatur First Bank and a trustee of Columbia Theological Seminary.

Mr. Drake is a graduate of Davidson College and holds a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. His wife is Beverly Drake, and between them they have five children, Beth Drake Brice, John Chapman Drake, Scott Drake, Richard Hills and Shannon Hills. Beth, John Chapman and Scott all attended Decatur schools.

Gerald E. Eickhoff

Jerry Eickhoff, chairman of Enterpulse, Inc. is a member of the Board of Trustees for Honduras Outreach, Inc., Young Harris College, and Georgia State University. He is a graduate of Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in finance.

He has lived in Decatur for over 40 years. He attended Clairemont Elementary School and graduated from Decatur High School in 1964.

His wife Jean is also a graduate of Decatur High School, and his children Kim, Kelly, and Brent attended Decatur Schools.

James F. Eley

James F. Eley, a former member of the Decatur Board of Education for eight years, is employed by Delta Air Lines as an instructor and facilitator. He has worked for Delta for 35 years.

He attended the University of Michigan and Western Reserve University and holds a bachelor’s degree from Baldwin-Wallace College. He and his wife Mattie have one son Rodney who graduated from Decatur High School in 1992.

J. David Ewing

J. David Ewing, an investment representative for Edward Jones Investments, is a member of the Decatur Rotary Club, Decatur Business Association, Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, and the board of directors of the Metropolitan Association of Performing Arts.

He is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, with a degree in humanities and Spanish. His wife is Heather Ewing, and they have two children, Nicholas and Olivia.

William F. Floyd

William F. Floyd, mayor of Decatur, is president of Southern Champion Construction Company of Tucker, a company where he has worked for 26 years. In addition to serving as a member of the Decatur City Commission, he is a member of Decatur First United Methodist Church, serves on the boards of Decatur First Bank and the Dekalb Rape Crisis Center and is a past president of the Georgia Utility Contractors Association.

He is a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He holds an MBA degree from Georgia State University.

He has lived in Decatur for 30 years, and his wife Sydney Flynt Floyd attended Winnona Park Elementary School and is a 1963 graduate of Decatur High School.

William J. Funk

William J. Funk retired as principal of Decatur High School after 27 years as an employee of City Schools of Decatur and is now a partner in the Decatur Travel Agency. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Decatur and DeKalb County Developmental Disabilities Council.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and government from Southern Methodist University, an MEd degree from Harvard University, and an EDS degree in social studies and educational leadership form Georgia State University.

He is married to Gayle Gellerstedt and has four daughters, Christel Funk, Lisa Nied, Melanie Futch, and Wendi Funk, all of whom graduated from Decatur High School. He has three stepsons and five grandchildren.

Edith Amos Hambie

Edith Amos Hambie, a health scientist and research microbiologist for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was a member of the Decatur Board of Education from 1976-1998 and also served as board chair.

She is a member of the American Society for Microbiology, Sigma XI, The Scientific Research Society of North America, Georgia School Board Association (past president and honorary member), Member of the Lambda Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and chair of the Board of Trustees and Finance Committee at New Beginning Full Gospel Baptist Church. She serves as secretary of the Centers for Disease Control Federal Credit Union.

She holds a bachelor of science degree in biology from Georgia State University and a master of science degree in microbiology from Atlanta University.

She and her husband James have four children, Dorcetia Hambie, Michael Hambie, Christopher Hambie, and Shandre Hambie Bell, all of whom graduated from Decatur High School. They are also the proud grandparents of seven grandchildren.

Dr. Ida Love

Dr. Ida Love, superintendent of City Schools of Decatur since 1997, serves on the Board of Directors of the National Board of Small Schools and the Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Decatur Rotary Club, the Decatur Business Association, and the American Association of School Administrators.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Grambling State University, a master’s degree and educational specialist degree from Central Missouri State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in Kansas City.

She and her husband Richard have two daughters, Yolanda Love and Jennifer Gant.

Rich Mahaffey

Rich Mahaffey, vice-president and owner of Ply Mart, Inc., has been employed by his company for 30 years and has been a resident of Decatur for 23 years. He is a member of Decatur First United Methodist Church and is on the board of directors of Westside Bank.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Management from Clemson University.

He and his wife Beth have four children, Chris, a graduate of Decatur High School; Lindsay, Mary Bess, and John.

Susan Rutland McCullar

Susan McCullar grew up in Decatur attending Westchester Elementary and Decatur High School. She graduated from Queens College with a degree in psychology. She received a Masters degree in Elementary Education from Georgia State.

She considers herself a “professional volunteer” enjoying involvement in many volunteer activities. She serves on the Board of DeKalb Rape Crisis Center and has served as a volunteer on the Crisis Line since the Center began 12 years ago. She is a very active member of Smoke Rise Baptist Church serving in many areas of leadership and service. Susan serves as a volunteer at Children’s Healthcare at Egleston and at Shepherd Spinal Center. She used her Education background as a tutor at Clairemont Elementary, as a Literacy tutor, and as an ESL teacher at her church. Susan is also a certified riding instructor for handicapped.

Dr. Laura Mendenhall

Rev. Dr. Laura Mendenhall, president of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur since August 2000, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, Decatur Rotary Club, the Southern Institute of Business Ethics, the Association of Theological Schools, and Faith in the City. She was a member of the Board of Directors of SW Career Development Center in Texas.

She received a bachelor’s degree from Austin College and a master’s degree from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education. She is a graduate of the San Francisco Theological Seminary and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Her husband is the Rev. Dr. Charles M. Mendenhall, III and they have two children, a daughter Maury and a son Matt.

Mary Miller

Mary D. Miller, Director of Decatur Recreation and Community Services, has lived in the City of Decatur for 19 years. She is a member of the National Recreation and Parks Association, the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, the American Camping Association, the American Canoe Association, the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy, and the Georgia School Age Care Association, where she serves as a member of the Board of Directors. She formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Community Center of South DeKalb.

Mary is a graduate of Georgia State University, with a degree in Sociology and Psychology. She has a daughter Melissa who attended Westchester, Renfroe Middle School, and Decatur High School and two grandchildren who will do the same.

Andre Pattillo

Andre Pattillo, director of athletics at Morehouse College, is a member of the Georgia Association for College Registrars and Admissions Officers, Atlanta Regional Consortium of Higher Education, National Merit Scholarship Foundation Selection Committee, National Collegiate Athletic Association, National Association for Sports Officials, and the National Association for College Admission Counselors. He is on the Board of Directors of Southeast Boys Club of America.

He attended College Heights Elementary School and is a graduate of Decatur High School and Morehouse College. While at Decatur High School, he participated in football, baseball and track and field. He has one daughter, Jada Garrett.

Anthony Powers

Anthony T. Powers, co-owner and manager of Intown Ace Hardware, graduated from Decatur High School from 1983. He was battalion commander of the JROTC, played varsity football from 1980-82, and was a member of the Scribbler staff. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Georgia.

He is a member of the Zeta Iota Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He and his wife Leisa have two daughters, Diondra and Alexandra, who attend Fifth Avenue Elementary School.

Jimmy Smith

Jimmy Smith, employed by Rutland Contracting Company for 40 years and now vice-president, is a lifelong resident of City of Decatur. He attended Clairemont Elementary School and
Decatur High School, where he was a class officer and a member of the football, basketball and track teams. His wife Connie Rutland Smith attended Glennwood Elementary School and graduated from Decatur High School.

He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Decatur, Clairemont Oaks, Inc., the City of Decatur Planning Commission, and he currently serves as the president of the Rotary Club. He is on the Board of Directors of Decatur First Bank, Clairmont Oaks, Inc., and the Decatur Rotary Club.

Judy Turner

Judy B. Turner, president and CEO of Decatur First Bank, serves president-elect of The Decatur Rotary Club and as a member of the Board of Directors for DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Association of the Performing Arts, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Metro-Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Bankers Association, and DeKalb County Development Authority. She is a member of the Decatur Business Association, Community Bankers Association.

She attended Georgia State University and holds a diploma from the Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University.

She and her husband Roy have lived in Decatur for 8 years and have one daughter Sherry Turner Story.

Sara Turnipseed

Sara Sadler Turnipseed, a member of the City Schools of Decatur Board of Education from 1987 to 1999, is a partner with Nelson, Mullins, Riley, and Scarborough. She is actively involved in the Atlanta Women’s Foundation, the Atlanta Women’s Rainmakers Group, Leadership Atlanta, Spina Bifida Association of Georgia, Oakhurst Community Garden, Decatur Youth Business Organization, Atlanta Bar Association, Georgia Bar Association, South Carolina Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, and the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association.

She is a graduate of Trinity College and holds a J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina Law School. She has lived in Decatur for 26 years.

She and her husband William E. Turnipseed have three daughters who attended Glennwood Elementary School and Decatur High School. They are Mary, Nancy, and Kathleen Turnipseed.

W. Jason Uchitel

Jason Uchitel, a Decatur attorney and a member of the Decatur Board of Education since 1997, was elected board chair in January of 2002. He is a member of the Decatur Bar Association, Temple Sinai, and Boy Scouts of America. A graduate of New York University (Bronx campus), he received a juris doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School.

He and his wife Judy have lived in Decatur since 1974 and have four sons, Jeremy, Jacob, Justin, and Aaron. All attended City Schools of Decatur.

Ken Willis

Ken Willis is the founder and president of GCI Atlanta, one of the largest public relations agencies in the South. He has lived in Decatur for 16 years. He is a member of the Board of Advisors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, and Decatur First United Methodist Church.

He studied journalism at the University of Georgia. He and his wife Deborah have three children, Michael and Rebecca, both graduates of Decatur High School, and Celia who currently attends Decatur schools.

Elizabeth Wilson

Elizabeth Wilson, a retired mayor of the City of Decatur, was a Decatur City Commissioner from 1984 to 1999. She is a board member of the Decatur Youth Business Association and the Oakhurst Community Garden Project, an elder in Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Phillips Tower Advisory Committee.

She attended Georgia State University as an Urban Life Associate and has lived in Decatur since 1949.

All of her children attended City of Schools of Decatur. They are Richard T. Wilson, Carter Wilson, Angela Wilson Turner (deceased), Leslie Wilson Munson, and a grandson Nicholas Carter Wilson, who attends Winnona Park Elementary School.

Sherri Brown Breunig, Executive Director

Sherri Breunig has worked for the City Schools of Decatur for over 20 years and is now Director of Community and Public Relations. She taught at Decatur High School and served as social studies department chair. She was STAR teacher in 1993 and served as a faculty consultant for the National College Board’s Advanced Placement Program for five years. She regularly took students on study trips to New York City and Europe.

She is active in the Junior League of DeKalb County, the National Society of Fundraising Executives, the National Council for the Social Studies, and Intown Community Church. She served on the Board of Directors of Invest-In-a Life, Inc. from 1990-1995.

She holds a degree in history from Agnes Scott College, an MEd. From Emory University, and an Ed.S from Georgia State University. She is married to Michael Breunig.