About Us

Board of Trustees

Athens Academy is fortunate to have a strong, committed Board of Trustees who offer the school their time, wisdom, and expertise. They represent a wide variety of talent and resources throughout our community, the region, and even across the state. According to the National Association of Independent Schools' Principles of Good Practice, the board is "the guardian of the school’s mission. It is the board’s responsibility to ensure that the mission is relevant and vital to the community it serves and to monitor the success of the school in fulfilling its mission." We are grateful for these individuals' commitment to Excellence with Honor.

Board Chairmen, 1966-present

List of 6 items.

  • Frank Sinkwich III '89, 2023-present

    Frank Sinkwich was elected chairman of the Athens Academy Board of Trustees in July 2023. As a member of the Class of 1989, he is the first Athens Academy graduate to assume this role.
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  • Carl R. Nichols, 2021-2023

    Carl Nichols served as chairman of the Athens Academy Board of Trustees from August 2021 until July 2023. Following his tenure as chairman, Mr. Nichols will continue to serve as a board member through the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
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  • Elizabeth B. Sanders, 2017-2021

    Beth Sanders served as chair of the Board of Trustees from 2017-2021. She has been part of the Athens Academy community for over 25 years. In addition to being an alumni parent, Mrs. Sanders previously served as the Board's vice chair and as chair of the Parent Service Organization. 
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  • James L. "Jimbo" LaBoon, Jr., 2015-2017

    Jimbo LaBoon became the chairman of the Board of Trustees in August 2015 and served until the fall of 2017. He has long been associated with Athens Academy as a parent, trustee, and grandparent.
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  • Gene Howard, 2008-2015

    Longtime trustee and chairman of the Buildings & Grounds committee Gene Howard assumed the position of board chairman upon the passing of John Wilkins in March 2008. He served as chairman until August 2015. 

  • John J. Wilkins III, 1967-2008

    Mr. Wilkins served Athens Academy as its founding trustee from the time of its charter in 1966 until his passing in 2008. 
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Trustees 2023-24

Mr. Frank Sinkwich III '89/ Chairman
Mr. William Trigleth / Vice Chairman
Mr. Victor Wilson / Secretary
Mr. Dick Ferguson III / Treasurer

Dr. Sunil Alexander '90
Ms. Jill Bateman
Mr. Russell Bennett
Mrs. Greta Covington
Mr. Jeff DeLoach
Mrs. Rachael Dillon
Dr. Henry Garrard IV '92
Mrs. Natalie Glenn
Mr. Thomas Hollingsworth '95
Mr. Paul Kilgore
Mrs. Brenda Klein
Dr. Lacy McCurdy
Mr. John McLean
Mr. Trai McRae
Mr. Carl Nichols
Ms. Meg Parker
Mr. Oliver Pryor
Mr. Mike Raeber
Mr. Rick Rodrigue
Mr. John Rooker
Mrs. Mary Catherine Smith
Mr. Ed Tolley (ex-officio)
Mrs. Ellen Wilkins Wiley '92 (ex-officio)

Athens Academy

1281 Spartan Lane
Athens, Georgia 30606
Phone: 706.549.9225
Athens Academy is an independent, co-educational school for students in K3 through 12th grade, located on a beautiful 152-acre campus in Northeast Georgia. For over 50 years, Athens Academy has pursued its mission of Excellence with Honor through academics, athletics, fine arts, and service and leadership.