DENIS TALLINI

WRESTLING COORDINATOR

Denis serves as the GIAA Wrestling Coordinator. He is a native of Vernon, NY, a 1970 graduate of Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School (Section 3- central NY) Graduate of Mohawk Valley Comm. College-Utica, NY-(1972) University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana – Lafayette) – B.S. (1974); Louisiana State University – M.S. Exercise Science/Cardiac Rehabilitation (1977) 4-year collegiate starter (2 at MVCC/2 at USL) and team captain.

He currently resides in Thomaston, GA, and has served 48 years as a wrestling official/administrator. He served 31 years (1974-2005) with Lafayette Wrestling Officials Assn., Lafayette, LA, and was head of the association for 14 years. He officiated state tournament 15X, NHSCA national tourneys, was the Recipient of Wayne Schmidt Official of the Year, and is still active with MAWOA; GHSA state tourney (4X); sectional tourneys (8X). He received the “Newcomer of the Year” Award in 2006; was Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Associate Director for 5 years (2012 – 2017) and oversaw GHSA wrestling, weight management program, state qualifying tournaments, as well as other programs and initiatives. He is a past member of the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) National Wrestling Rules Committee. In 2018, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (Lifetime Service).

His outstanding professional career includes 23 years as a Certified Exercise Specialist in Cardiac Rehab (Our Lady of Lourdes, Lafayette, LA) and 14 years in the management of hospital health and fitness centers (Our Lady of Lourdes and Upson Regional Medical Center, Thomaston, GA). He is a nationally ranked masters-level javelin competitor. Denis is married to Margie and they have two adult children, Camille and Carmen.

KENT COPELAND

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT OF ATHLETICS

Kent joined the GISA Team in March of 2021. He lives in Valdosta with his wife, Cindy. Together, they have two sons and 5 grandchildren. Kent graduated from Berry College with a degree in Health & Physical Education. He earned his Master’s degree in Education from Troy University. He began his career as a basketball coach and he taught at Gatewood School and Georgia Christian School for over 15 years. In his 12 years outside of education, he worked in Sales and Marketing. While in Sales, he volunteered at Georgia Christian School to coach both of his sons in basketball. He has won multiple GISA State Basketball Championships. Kent previously served with the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools as the South Regional Director.

AMY ELLER

ADMINISTRATIVE ATHLETIC COORDINATOR

Amy joined the GISA Team in 2018 with extensive knowledge in Athletics and Independent Schools. She was a former college basketball player at Presbyterian College and coached in college for several years.

Amy earned her B.S. in Biology from Presbyterian College and her Master’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Georgia. She is also a graduate of Brentwood School in Sandersville. Amy resides in Marietta with her twins.

PAULA GILLISPIE

DIRECTOR OF ACCREDITATION

Paula joined the GISA Team in July 2018. She received a B.S. degree in Education from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University.

Her career in education includes experience as a classroom teacher, Division Head, Dean of Students, and Head of School in Virginia and Georgia. She retired in June of 2018 after serving as Head of School for eight years at Oak Mountain Academy in Carrollton, Georgia. Additionally, Paula was an active member of Carrollton’s civic organizations and Chamber of Commerce. She served as a member of the GISA Board of Trustees and chaired accreditation teams for SAIS. Paula and her husband reside in Peachtree City and enjoy being close to their son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

ROBIN AYLOR

DIRECTOR OF MEMBER SERVICES

Robin joined the GISA Team in November 1995. She is originally from South Carolina and moved to Georgia in 1992. She attended the University of South Carolina-Beaufort and later completed her A.S. in Business Management at Gordon College in Barnesville, GA., and earned her B.B.A. in Business Management from Clayton State University.

Robin worked a number of years in the corporate world as a Sales Assistant at Amoco Performance Products in Alpharetta and as Marketing Assistant for MCC Panasonic’s cellular phone division in Peachtree City, GA. She and her husband have one daughter and two grand-darlings.

CLINT MORGAN

ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER

Clint joined the GISA Team in June 2016. Previously, he served as Head Football, Head Track Coach, and Teacher at Tattnall Square Academy in Macon. He has served in numerous capacities such as Athletic Director, Head Football, Track, and Baseball Coach at several GISA Member schools since 1994, including Frederica Academy, Bulloch Academy, David Emanuel Academy, and Tiftarea Academy. He has also served as GISA Region Secretary, and as a representative on the GISA Advisory Board and Reclassification Committee.

Clint’s vast experience with both GISA and GHSA makes him a great addition to the GISA Team. Clint earned his B.S. in Education from Georgia Southwestern College in Americus and is a graduate of Southland Academy. He and his wife, Shay reside in Statesboro with their two sons.

STAN WHITLOCK

Vice President

Stan joined the GISA team in July 2016, bringing extensive experience in educational leadership, athletics, and institutional administration. Prior to joining GISA, he served as Head of School at Wardlaw Academy from 2010 to 2016. From 1999 to 2010, he held several leadership and educational roles at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, including Director of External Affairs, Assistant Athletic Director, teacher, and coach.

Earlier in his professional career, Stan served as a Loan and Collections Officer at The Palmetto Bank. He also pursued a career in professional football as a placekicker, competing for several teams between 1996 and 2002, including the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Georgia Force, and Columbus Wardogs.

Stan holds an Ed.D. from Capella University, an M.Ed. from Western Governors University, a B.S. in Physical Education and Health from Madison University, and a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of South Carolina. His professional background reflects a longstanding commitment to educational leadership, student development, and athletics.

Stan and his wife, Leslie, have two daughters.

KANDY LAU

Vice President & CFO

Kandy joined the GISA Team in July 2011. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Kandy moved to Atlanta in 1971. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgia State University, completed educational coursework at Brenau University, and received a Master of Science in Educational Leadership degree from Walden University.

Kandy’s career began in the corporate world where she was an assistant merchandising manager with Champion International Corporation, which provided her with over 11 years of marketing, business management, and human resource skills. Kandy also has over 25 years of experience in independent education which includes 22 years at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School in Atlanta from 1989 to 2011 where she served as PK and Kindergarten teacher, Head of Lower School, Assistant Head of School, and Director of the Early Learning Center.

Kandy has three daughters and five grandchildren.

JEFF JACKSON

President

Dr. Jackson received his B.S. degree from The University of Louisville, and his M.A. degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He then went on to earn his Doctor of Education from Tennessee State University in 1994 and his MBA from Shorter College in 2008. Before coming to GISA in July, 2009,

Dr. Jackson served as Headmaster at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School in Atlanta from 2002-2009; at Deerfield-Windsor School in Albany as Head of The Middle/Upper School; and prior to that, he was Headmaster at First Baptist School in Shreveport and Assistant Headmaster at Tattnall Square Academy in Macon. He also served as Assistant Professor of Education at Palm Beach Atlantic College in West Palm Beach, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Education at Mercer University in Macon.

Dr. Jackson’s outstanding credentials are evidenced in the numerous social and educational awards he has received. Some of the many distinguished honors include Tennessee State University’s Graduate Researcher of the Year, a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Visiting Accreditation Teams, and he was an Advisory Board Member of The Teacher Academy Magnet School for the Palm Beach County School system.

Jeff and his wife Kim have five sons.