Founding Board of Directors

Terrell Gilbert, Chair – Mr. Gilbert is a corporate attorney with Arnall Golden Gregory LLP in Atlanta, Georgia.  He has prior experience as a teacher (4 years), school administrator (3 ½ years) and served as an interim principal for a semester.  We believe his prior experience as an educator and his current role as an attorney are assets to our school.

Hannah Heck, Vice-Chair – Ms. Heck has an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and is currently pursuing her law degree at Emory University.  Prior to attending law school, she worked for five years as the policy director for Georgia’s Governor Sonny Perdue.  She is also a board member of the state Department of Community Health and, in this role, oversees Medicaid, public health and the State Health Benefit Plan.  She was chosen for her role on the WACS Board for her leadership skills, policy acumen and passion for education in our community. 

Cobb Pearson, Secretary – Mr. Pearson is the Energy Procurement Manager for Cox Enterprises, Inc.  He graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Engineering.  He was chosen for his role on the WACS Board for his strong community involvement on the Westside, particularly in the West Highlands neighborhood, and for his business and financial acumen. 

Robin Cash – Ms. Cash is a business coach, trainer and business consultant with J. Harmony Group.  She has an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.  We believe that her expertise in business, prior experience leading the PTA at another charter school in the Atlanta area and her general leadership skills make her well-suited for service on our Board of Directors.

Whitni Coleman – Ms. Coleman is a lead teacher in the Kenan Preschool at the Atlanta Speech School, one of our most significant community partners.  Her insight and experience as a teacher, and particularly her understanding of language development, are assets of tremendous value to the WACS Board of Directors.

Jen Gordon – Ms. Gordon is an entrepreneurial business person on the Westside and, among other things, has founded A Clever Twist, a business that focuses on the development of technology applications.  Her significant marketing and branding experience, as well as her position as Westside small business owner, make her well-suited for unique contributions to our Board of Directors.

Jim Irwin – Jim Irwin is Vice President of Development for Green Street Properties.  He has an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Emory University.  He has previously served on the staff of several U.S. senators and congressmen.  Jim was chosen his role on the WACS Board for his real estate expertise and significant understanding of the development landscape in Atlanta, including efforts that will directly impact the Westside, such as the Atlanta Beltline.

Chuck Johnston – Mr. Johnston holds B.A. and M.A.T. degrees from Vanderbilt University, and an M.B.A. from Emory University.  He is a graduate of the Atlanta Public Schools.  For over four decades, Mr. Johnston has been a leader in the field of education, particularly in the Atlanta area.  He has significant experience as a teacher, headmaster, executive director and school founder.  He was chosen for his role on the WACS Board for his extensive knowledge of education and close community ties with other educators in our Atlanta.

Caroline Pittman – Ms. Pittman is a former school teacher and tutor and holds an undergraduate degree in English from Auburn University and a master’s degree in English from the University of Southern Mississippi.  She is a poet and is currently writing a novel about the HIV pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, drawing from her family’s prior experience working with AIDS patients in Swaziland.  Her educational expertise and her passion for language and literacy are significant assets to the WACS Board of Directors.