At its regularly scheduled business meeting on July 21, 2022, the Gwinnett County Board of Education (BOE) approved the appointments of three district leaders to new positions as part of the district’s reorganization to support its strategic plan. In addition, the BOE appointed the new principal at Brookwood High School. The new appointments are as follows:
- Cathy Hardin has been named the Chief Human Resources Officer. Ms. Hardin currently serves as System Vice President, Employee Relations for Emory Healthcare, Atlanta.
- Glenn Melendez has been named Chief Technology and Innovation Officer. Mr. Melendez currently serves as Chief Information Officer for Fulton County Government.
- Natalie Gore has been named Chief Strategy Officer. Ms. Gore currently serves as Assistant Superintendent of District and School Performance for Henry County Schools.
- Brett Savage has been named the new principal at Brookwood High School. Dr. Savage currently serves as Principal at Crews Middle School. He assumes the position as William “Bo” Ford leaves the school district.
Cathy Hardin, Chief Human Resources Officer:
2021-Present System Vice President, Employer Relations for Emory Healthcare
2018-2021 Vice President, Human Resource
2013-2018 Executive Director, Human Resources, DeKalb Regional Health System
2012-2013 Employee Relations Manager, Northeast Georgia Health System
2008-2011 Manager, Open Recruitment, Emory University
2005-2008 Divisional Human Resources Director, Emory University
2003-2005 HR Division Manager, Emory Healthcare
2004-2005 Interim Director, Employment and Career Services, Emory Healthcare
2002-2003 Employment Manager, Emory Healthcare
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Communications—Southern University
Master’s degree in Human Resources—Central Michigan University
Mr. Glenn Melendez, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer
2015-Present Chief Information Officer, Fulton County
2014-2015 Independent Consultant, Capgemini, Kennesaw StateUniversity, Ernst and Young
2008-2014 Director Enterprise Applications, Atlanta Public Schools
2005-2008 Director IT, WellPoint (Anthem)
2003-2005 Senior IT Manager, United Healthcare
2001-2003 Program Management Consultant, Blue Cross Blue Shield
1994-2001 Account Manager, Ajilon Consulting LLC
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Information—Rutgers University
Master’s degree in Corporate Communication—Seton Hall University
Natalie Gore, Chief Strategy Officer
2018-Present Assistant Superintendent of District and School Performance, Henry County Schools
2014-2018 Assistant Superintendent of Leadership Services, Henry County Schools
2006-2014 Principal, Cotton Indian Elementary School, Henry County Schools
2005-2006 Principal, Lakeview Elementary School, Bloomington, Ind.
2004-2005 Assistant Principal, Childs Elementary School, Bloomington, Ind.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education—University of Iowa
Master’s degree in Educational Leadership—National Louis University
Master’s degree in Literacy—Indiana University
Specialist’s degree in English Education—Indiana University
Dr. Brett Savage, Principal, Brookwood High School
GCPS Employment:
2019-Present Principal, Crews Middle School
2016-2019 Assistant Principal, Creekland Middle School
2013-2016 Assistant Principal, Riverside Elementary School
2005-2013 Teacher, Collins Hill High School
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health Science—The University of Georgia
Master’s degree in Science Education—The University of Georgia
Specialist’s degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision—Lincoln Memorial University
Doctoral degree in Educational Policy Studies—Georgia State University
Dr. Savage is a graduate of the 2012 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Leader Program, and a member of the 2021 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program.