At its regularly scheduled meeting on June 16, 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:

• DeNelle West has been named Chief Learning Officer. West currently serves as Chief Learning Officer for Kent School District in Kent, Wash.
• Walt Martin, the district’s Chief Operations Officer, has been named the Chief Business Operations Officer.
• Al Taylor, currently Associate Superintendent for School Improvement and Operations, has been named Chief of Schools.

DeNelle West, Chief Learning Officer

GCPS Employment:

2009-2015                      Director of Staff Development, Human Resources and Talent Management

Other Employment:

2018–Present                  Chief Learning Officer, Kent School District (Wash.)

2015–2018                      Director of Professional Development, Research for Better Teaching (Mass.)

2003–2009                      Coordinator of Professional Development, Duval County Public Schools (Fla.)

2000–2003                      Teacher, Duval County Public Schools (Fla.)

1998–2000                      Teacher, P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School (Fla.)

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Literature—University of North Florida  (Fla.)

Master’s degree in Educational Leadership—Jacksonville University (Fla.)

---

Walt Martin, Chief Business Operations Officer

GCPS Employment:

2017–Present                  Chief Operations Officer, Facilities and Operations

2006–2017                      Executive Director of Human Resources Systems, Human Resources and Talent Management

2004–2006                      Director of Compensation and Classification Administration, Human Resources

2003–2004                      Assistant Director of Compensation, Human Resources

2000–2003                      Employee Relations Manager–Compensation, Human Resources

1997–2000                      Wage and Salary Specialist, Human Resources

1991–1997                      Auto/Diesel Mechanic, Facilities and Operations

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration–Finance—Georgia State University

Master’s degree in Business/Human Resources Management—Troy State University (Ala.)

---

Dr. Al Taylor, Chief of Schools

GCPS Employment:

2021–Present                  Associate Superintendent, School Improvement and Operations

2019–2021                      Assistant Superintendent for Middle Schools, School Improvement and Operations

2013–2019                      Principal, Berkmar High School

2011-2013                       Principal, Radloff Middle School

2006–2011                      Assistant Principal for Instruction, Meadowcreek High School

2003–2006                      Business Education Teacher and Assistant Football Coach, Meadowcreek High School

2002–2003                      Mathematics Teacher, Sweetwater Middle School

Other Employment:

2019–Present                  Adjunct Professor, Piedmont College (Ga.)

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Education—Georgia Southern University

Master’s degree in Educational Leadership—Georgia State University

Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership—Georgia State University

Dr. Taylor is a graduate of the 2010 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program.