At its regularly scheduled business meeting on December 15, 2022, the Gwinnett County Board of Education (BOE) approved the appointment of a new principal at Shiloh Elementary School as well as a new Chief Financial Officer and a new Executive Director of Leadership Development.

• Ms. Jennifer L. Mercedes has been named the new Principal at Shiloh Elementary. Ms. Mercedes currently serves as Assistant Principal at Shiloh Elementary. She replaces Thomas Trippany who is retiring.
• Ms. Masana L. Mailliard has been named the new Chief Financial Officer. She replaces Joe Heffron who is retiring.
• Dr. Chandra Walker has been named Executive Director of Leadership Development. She replaces Dr. Kendra Washington-Bass who is no longer with the district.

Jennifer L. Mercedes, Shiloh Elementary School:

GCPS Employment:

2018-Present        Assistant Principal, Shiloh Elementary School

2014-2018            ESOL/EIP Lead Teacher, Baggett Elementary School

2009-2009            Kinder Camp Director, Hopkins Elementary School

Other Employment:

2003-2004            Assistant Director, Alison Bixby Stone School

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education—University of Georgia

Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Policy—University of Georgia

Ms. Mercedes is a member of the 2023 Quality Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 16, and a graduate of the 2018 Quality Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Leader Program, Cohort 9.

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Masana L. Mailliard, Chief Financial Officer

Employment:

2020-Present        Deputy Chief Financial Officer, DeKalb County School District

2017-2020            Budget Manager III, DeKalb County School District

2011-2017            Assistant Director of Audits, DeKalb County School District

2009-2011            Fiscal Management Compliance Specialists, Federal Programs and ARRA, Georgia Department of Education

2006-2008            Financial Analyst and Internal Auditor, City of Gainesville, Florida

2004-2006            Accountant III, School Board of Broward County, Florida                                                                                    

1994-2004            Confidential Grant Accounting/Audit Specialist, School Board of Broward Country
 

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Management—University of Phoenix

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Dr. Chandra Y. Walker, Executive Director of Leadership Development

GCPS Employment:

2013-Present       Director, Leadership Development, Gwinnett County Public Schools

2010-2013            Principal, Simonton Elementary School

2006-2010            Assistant Principal, Stripling Elementary School

2003-2006            School Counselor, Norcross Elementary School

Other Employment:

2001-2003            School Counselor, Park Street Elementary School, Marietta City Schools

1997-2001            Teacher, Cook Elementary School & Humphries Elementary School, Atlanta Public Schools

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education—Florida A&M University

Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling—State University of West Georgia

Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership—Clark Atlanta University

Dr. Walker is a graduate of the 2009 Quality Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 3.