Meet The Team

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Kim Bearden - Cofounder, Executive Director, and Language Arts Teacher

Kim Bearden was selected from over 70,000 nominations to be honored as the Disney American Teacher Awards Outstanding Middle School Humanities Teacher. The Milken Family Foundation selected her as one of 155 teachers from across the nation to receive the Award for Excellence in Education, and she was the chosen from among 7000 teachers as Teacher of the Year in Cobb County, Georgia. Ms. Bearden is a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2008, and she received the Phoenix Award from Mayor Shirley Franklin for her dedication to the education.  Kimberly is a former Finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year and the Phenomenal Woman of Character Award.  Over the past twenty-three years, she has been a teacher, instructional lead teacher, curriculum director, school board member, staff development trainer, and middle school principal.

Mehari Kassa - Director of Admissions

Mehari Kassa’s experience includes leadership development, operations management, market research, technology utilization, project management, and process improvement assignments for such companies as The Home Depot, General Mills, Johnson & Johnson, and Shell Chemical. Mr. Kassa has a degree in chemical engineering with a minor in business administration. His numerous awards include the Drexel GPA Alumni Merit, National Society of Black Engineer’s Torchbearer, UPS Minority Scholarship, and Outstanding Academic Achievement awards. A graduate of the Lovett School, Mr. Kassa is a proud Atlanta native.

 

 

Rosalyn Merrick - Director of Development

Prior to joining the RCA Family, Rosalyn was the Vice President of Major Gifts & Foundations at United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.  During her ten year tenure with the organization, she worked closely with top national and local companies and community organizations to raise resources and awareness for metro Atlanta's top human care issues.  In 2009, Rosalyn Merrick was recognized as one of Apex Society's Power 30 Under 30.  Rosalyn graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgia State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism-Public Relations with a minor in French.  She is an Atlanta native and resides in Tucker with her husband and two sons.  In addition to spending time with her family and RCA, Rosalyn enjoys yoga, dancing, traveling and volunteering. 

 

 

Renita Mosley - Office Manager

Renita Mosley has been in Administrative Services for the past 26 years at Bellsouth and has an extensive background in Project Management, Executive Secretarial Support and Business Operations. Renita attended Arizona State University where she majored in Journalism/Public Relations. An Atlanta native, she is involved with numerous community organizations. She is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the Fulton County Juvenile Court, she conducts a home-based adult literacy program, and she also teaches Junior Achievement classes. At the corporate level, Renita has spearheaded several programs to eradicate homelessness and teenage pregnancy, and she has developed mentorship programs to offset reading/writing deficiencies among elementary and middle school students. Renita has served as a BellSouth representative to the United Way, and she has also served as their Job Shadowing coordinator for their local high school program.

 

 

Elizabeth Scott - Director of Student Services and Counselor

Elizabeth Scott holds advanced degrees in counseling and psychology with minors in education and family and child development. During her career she has been a counselor, intervention specialist, psychologist, research assistant, and trainer/instructor. She has worked with students and adults of all ages. Her diverse expertise in numerous fields will enhance our school counseling program and other student-related programs.

 

 

Kortni Alston-Clarke - Director of External Affairs

Kortni Alston-Clarke serves as the Director of External Affairs at The Ron Clark Academy.  Previously, she worked as the Director of News and Public Affairs for WEAA-FM, the leading public radio station for NPR news and information in the Baltimore market.  Kortni began her journalism career as a Radio Personality and Entertainment Reporter at WAFL-FM in Delaware. Her commercial television experience began in Midland, Texas as a General Assignment Reporter for NBC affiliate, KWES-TV. She later became a Reporter in the top markets in the country including:   Philadelphia and Houston. 
 
Many of her stories gained national news coverage including the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Kortni has made several appearances on, CNN, the international news network, covering the Astronauts funerals and other stories such as Hurricane Claudette.  Kortni was also the Lead Instructor for the Connecticut School of Broadcasting Atlanta Campus. She combined her years of Industry experience in developing a practical television curriculum for the school. 
 
Kortni received her B.A in Mass Communications from Delaware State University and Masters of Business Administration at Morgan State University.  In 2009, she was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, an international business honor society.

 

 

Kenneth Adams - Student Activities Coordinator

In May 2009, Mr. Adams received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, with a minor in African American Studies.   During his collegiate years, Adams was involved with UNC at Greensboro’s Student Activities Board, working in a Supervisor role for the campus Game Room. Mr. Adams is a former student of Ron Clark’s.  He has traveled to several places around the world with Clark including: South Africa, Costa Rica, Japan and England.  In his role at the Academy, Adams coordinates the After School Program, library operations, and all student field trips and special community service activities.  Adams was born in Oklahoma, and then moved to Aurora, North Carolina as a child.  His family still resides in Aurora.  

 

 

Susan Barnes - Language Arts and Reading Teacher

Mrs. Barnes has taught language arts, creative writing, and literacy in Brooklyn and Harlem since 1996.  She relocated to Atlanta two years ago, and most recently taught at Sandtown Middle School.  She is also a gifted staff development trainer, artist, singer, performance poet, and cofounder of The Launch Pad, an uplifting open mic venue exhibiting unique talent. She is known for integrating her love for art, photography, and poetry into her language arts lessons. She has a B.A. in English from Stonybrook University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Brooklyn College. 

 

 

Joey Barr - Finance Manager

Mr. Barr joined the RCA Family as a part-time employee on September 1, 2007. Mr. Barr handles the day-to-day accounting operations for the school including accounts payable, tuition, and donation correspondence. Mr. Barr started his own firm, Barr Marketing, Inc. three years ago; the firm is a managing agency for Ron Clark's books and merchandise sales. Prior to Barr Marketing, Mr. Barr worked 7 years in the finance industry with Regional Acceptance Corp - a subsidiary of BB&T. Mr. Barr graduated from East Carolina University in 1997 with a BSBA in Finance. 

 

 

Junior Bernadin - Technology Manager

Junior Bernadin joined The Ron Clark Academy family in June of 2009.  Originally, from Miami, FL he is a graduate of Florida State University.   Mr. Bernadin currently holds certifications in Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, and Promethean Certified Installer.   In his role as Technology Manager, Mr. Bernadin provides all system support to the Academy as well as maintaining and managing all levels of technology integration within the school.  Mr. Bernadin is also working in the classroom, teaching a technology class to RCA 6^th graders.   Prior to RCA, Mr. Bernadin was a Technology Support Specialist for Handshake Software.

Mr. Bernadin is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers as well as the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineering.  He enjoys mentoring young people and volunteering his time with organizations including (but not limited to): The American Red Cross, YMCA, The Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, Children’s Miracle Network, Big Bend Cares, Kids Incorporated, and the Leon County Humane Society.  Mr. Bernadin currently resides in Atlanta.

 

 

Lazarus Bruner - Physical Education/Executive Assistant

He is the Academy’s Physical Education teacher and one of the coaches for the after school basketball program.  Mr. Bruner also serves as an executive assistant to Mr. Clark, reinforcing the school’s strict discipline strategies.  Mr. Bruner is originally from Oklahoma, but he and his wife now reside in metro Atlanta with their two young sons.

 

 

Gina Coss - Social Studies/Science Teacher

Gina Coss began her career not with books and blackboards, but with stocks and bonds.  After graduation from the College of William and Mary, she had a challenging career with a Wall Street firm.  Though highly successful in the world of finance, she sought her passion and became what she felt she was meant to be: a teacher!  While earning advanced degrees, Mrs. Coss taught at Sedalia Park Charter Elementary School in Cobb County, Georgia.  Recognized as a Cobb County District Teacher of the Year, she was later honored to be a Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalist.  Mrs. Coss believes teaching is an art form meant to unleash students’ god-given creativity and imagination. Her students are empowered to view unfettered possibilities for themselves, their communities, and their world.  Mrs. Coss has traveled extensively and lived abroad, studied French, German and Italian, is a hack golfer and classical pianist.  She lives in Marietta, GA with her husband and two daughters.

 

 

Adam Dovico - Global Studies/Mathematics Teacher

Mr. Dovico is a graduate of Wake Forest University, where he received his degree in education and a graduate of Appalachian State University, where he received his masters in education.  He earned his National Board Certification in 2009.  He is new to the Atlanta area after teaching in North Carolina for the past six years.  He has been named a Teacher of the Year, Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund recipient, and has earned a Teaching Tolerance grant.  He has also taught in the education department at Queens University to prospective teachers.  Mr. Dovico is a New Jersey native and enjoys playing soccer and running in his spare time.

 

 

Lakesha Goff - Mathematics Teacher and Transition Coordinator

Lakesha Goff received her undergraduate degree in mathematics from Howard University where she was a Legacy Scholar, a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and a Bison Student Leadership Program Trainer.  She then received her Master's Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Pennsylvania as a Puente Forchic Scholar.   Mrs. Goff previously taught in Pennsylvania, and most recently, she was an instructor at the SEED Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., where she was instrumental in curriculum development that leads to increased achievement and student confidence.  Mrs. Goff believes that math is everywhere and that every child is a mathematician.

 

 

Sarah Hildebrand - Social Studies/Reading Teacher

Sarah Hildebrand is a graduate of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, where she received her degree in Speech Communications.  She graduated with honors and was inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association Honor Society.  After working as a Sales Executive for Pitney-Bowes in Washington, D.C., Ms. Hildebrand went on to receive her teaching certification from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.  She was recognized as the 2007 district wide Rookie Teacher of the Year for the city of Suffolk, Virginia.  She has traveled throughout the world and lived in New Zealand while continuing her education at Auckland University.  Ms. Hildebrand believes in the saying “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn” and is continually pushing herself to be as innovative and creative in the classroom as possible.

 

 

Candice Jordan - Development Assistant

Originally from metro Atlanta, Mrs.  Jordan is a 2005 graduate of Howard University.  During her undergraduate studies at Howard, she took advantage of many community service opportunities working with youth which sparked her interest in education.  After she graduated from Howard University with a degree in Marketing and worked professionally for two years, she decided to return to her home state and pursue a Masters degree in Public Administration at the University of Georgia. Specializing in Nonprofit Management and Local Government, she took advantage of various internships with nonproft agencies and local government to expand her professional experience in the field. Currently, Mrs. Jordan supports the Director of Development at RCA.

 

 

Robyn Johnson - Executive Assistant

Mrs. Johnson joined the RCA family on November 1, 2007. As a former police officer with Georgia State University and a former probation case manager with the state juvenile justice department, she has a host of experience working with young people. Most of Mrs. Johnson's time is spent working closely with Ms. Bearden. In addition to scheduling and coordinating all teacher visits, Ms. Johnson also manages various special projects for the school, including the coordination of parent and community volunteers. Ms. Johnson received her M.A. Ed. from Central Michigan University and her B.S. from Georgia State University. A native of Chicago, she lives in Lithonia with two sons.

 

Johnny Mills - Facilities Maintenance Manager

Mr. Mills is an integral part to day-to-day operations of the Academy. In his role, Mr. Mills makes sure the school building, its climate and the entire school campus is operating at top-notch. Mr. Mills also works closely with general contractors in managing RCA’s future building projects. Mr. Mills lives in metro-Atlanta with his wife and children.

 

 

Ken Townsel - Science Teacher

Mr. Townsel is an accomplished educator who has taught advanced placement physics, biology, chemistry, and earth science. Mr. Townsel is a former Teacher of the Year, Science Coordinator for DeKalb County Schools, and Science Coordinator for the Global Thinking Project, where he took students to St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia, to live and work with Russian students and teachers on environmental issues that have an impact of the earth.  Mr. Townsel obtained a Master’s Degree in Education from Cambridge College in 2000. Most recently Mr.Townsel has worked as a physical science instructor at the Fernbank Science Center.

 

Board of Trustees

Alonzo Llorens - President

Alonzo L. Llorens is a partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP. Mr. Llorens practices in Atlanta in the areas of securities, corporate, venture capital and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Llorens is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the District of Columbia bar.  Mr. Llorens has extensive experience in securities law, including nearly eight years in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") Division of Corporation Finance. While at the SEC, Mr. Llorens handled a large number of transactions including initial public offerings, secondary offerings, proxy contests, mergers and acquisitions, and prepackaged bankruptcies. Additionally, he served on the SEC's Executive Compensation Task Force and the Small Business Task Force.  Mr. Llorens has served on the board of directors of several organizations, such as the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Business League. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Ron Clark Academy. Additionally, Mr. Llorens has been published as a co-author in the Bureau of National Affairs journal entitled Shareholder Proposals and was invited to write a chapter in Aspatore Publishing's book entitled Inside the Minds: Private Equity and Venture Capital Legal Series.  Mr. Llorens earned a Juris Doctor degree from Howard University School of Law, where he served as Managing Editor of the Howard Law Journal. Mr. Llorens earned a Bachelor of Science in International Trade and Finance from Louisiana State University.

Rob Kight - Treasurer

Dianne Bernez

Dianne Bernez is Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications for Equifax Inc.  She joined the company in September 2006, and leads the planning and execution of marketing communications, Brand management, employee communications, event management, and PR/media relations related to the implementation of business strategy, M&A, issues management, and community affairs activation. Additionally, she is a member of the company's Business Advisory Council on employee matters. Dianne is active in the community and is currently serving as a judge for the Better Business Bureau's 2010 high school Student of Integrity essay contest on 'Trust in Business and Our Community.'  She is also a returning Vice Chair for the 2010 Metro Atlanta Chamber's capital campaign committee; and is a 2007 graduate of Leadership Atlanta.

Scott Selig

Scott Selig, Vice President of Selig Enterprises, graduated in 1993 from the University of Arizona with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Real Estate. He attained his MBA from the University of Georgia in Real Estate and Strategic Management. Scott also received his CCIM designation in June 2002.

Scott works in all facets of Selig Enterprises, Inc. including office, industrial, and retail leasing as well as acquisition and development. Scott has been employed with Selig since 2000.

Jeff Anderson

Audio Enhancement President, has been with the company since 1993. Mr. Anderson is a noted advocate of the advancement of education and the changing of classroom learning environments. His mission to demonstrate the fundamental necessity of audio enhanced classrooms is evident in his dedication to creating and designing innovative technology. He is the co-creator and patent-holder of the world’s first Infrared wireless audio enhancement system. This system perfectly fits into today’s modern classroom by being fully integrated with any additional multimedia sources. Through Mr. Anderson’s leadership, Audio Enhancement has grown into the worldwide leader in classroom amplification. Mr. Anderson received his bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business and Spanish from Brigham Young University. He is also the proud father of six wonderful children.

Ann Wilson Cramer

Ann Wilson Cramer is Director of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs for the Americas at IBM. In support of IBM’s primary focus areas, Ms. Cramer currently serves as past chair of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE); chairs Communities in Schools—Georgia, the Georgia Chamber’s Education Committee, and the WorldClass Schools Foundation; and is on the board of Metro Atlanta Chamber Education Committee and Project GRAD. Ms. Cramer chairs the Council on Foundations Corporate Committee and represents IBM on the United Way of America’s National Corporate Leaders Council, the Center for Corporate Citizenship Advisory Board at Boston College, and the Southeastern Council on Foundations Communications Committee. She is past chair of the United Way of Metro—Atlanta, Research Atlanta, and the Arts and Business Council of Atlanta.

Mathew Dutkiewicz

Mathew T. Dutkiewicz is an Executive Vice President with Great American Financial Resources. For more than 20 years, Mat has worked in various capacities in the financial services industry, including Marketing, Sales Distribution, Operations and Plan Administration. He thrives in the industry because he enjoys helping people be successful in their retirement years. Mat serves on several industry committees, including LIMRA (formerly the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association), Distribution Leadership Roundtable, the National Rural Education Association Executive Committee and the Association of Education Service Agencies Partners Committee. Prior to his career in the financial services industry, Mat served in United States Marine Corps and studied to receive his bachelor’s of business administration from Franklin University. He has been married to his wife Karin for more than 20 years. of Metro—Atlanta, Research Atlanta, and the Arts and Business Council of Atlanta.

Scarlet Pressley-Brown

Scarlet Pressley-Brown is General Manager of Community Affairs at Delta Air Lines and Vice President of the Delta Air Lines Foundation. Joining Delta in June 2000, she has managed Delta’s presence in the community, establishing the company as a leading corporate citizen. Prior to Delta, Ms. Pressley-Brown spent six years with the East Lake Community Foundation as director of Community Affairs successfully restoring and revitalizing the historic East Lake Golf Course community. The restoration included the establishment and opening of Drew Charter School, Atlanta’s first Charter School.

Ms. Pressley-Brown has received numerous awards: the “Outstanding Georgia Citizen” Award presented by the Secretary of State, the Atlanta Business League named Mrs. Pressley-Brown one of “Atlanta’s Top Black Women of Influence” in 2006 and 2007, and the “High Heels in High Places Award presented by the Trumpet Awards Foundation . In February 2006, the Atlanta Tribune featured Scarlet and husband, Wendell, as one of Atlanta’s “Power Couples” and the Atlanta Urban League Guild recognized them with the “Transportation Achievement” Award.

Ms. Pressley-Brown received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta and her MBA from University of Phoenix. She is on the board of directors for the Atlanta Business League, the Georgia Center for Children, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the Atlanta Medical Association. She is a member of the National Black MBA Association, the Clark Atlanta Guild, the American Institute for Managing Diversity, and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

Scarlet and Wendell have five children and two sons-in-law: Wendell, Jr., April Partridge (Kenya), Amber French (Jason), Kiesha and Dexter.

Laura Turner Seydel

Laura Turner Seydel is a Trustee of the Turner Foundation, a private family environmental grantmaking foundation created in 1990. In her capacity as Trustee, Laura is involved in all aspects of the Foundation’s operations, from reviewing funding requests and establishing policy to identifying funding priorities and overseeing special initiatives. Laura is also a Trustee of the Jane Smith Turner Foundation, a private family grantmaking foundation, whose funding priorities include the arts, children’s health and education and the environment. A Georgia native, born in Macon, Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts from Ogelthorpe University. In 2001, Laura became Chairman of the Board for the Captain Planet Foundation. The mission of the Captain Planet Foundation is to fund and support hands-on environmental projects for children and youth. It encourages innovative programs that empower children and youth around the world to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities. Laura resides in Atlanta with her husband, Rutherford and their three children, John R, Vasser, and Laura Elizabeth.

Betty L. Siegel, Ph.D.

Dr. Betty L. Siegel, the first woman to head an institution in the 34-unit University System of Georgia, has been president at Kennesaw State University since 1981. Under her administration, the university has evolved from a four-year college with an enrollment of 4,000 students and 15 baccalaureate-degree programs to its current university status, attained in 1996, with 13,000+ students and 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. A nationally known speaker, civic leader, and administrator, Dr. Siegel uses the "invitational model" to espouse methods for strengthening the education and leadership process. She has lectured or consulted with educational, professional, government, and civic groups in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and nine foreign countries.