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​New State Board of Education chair and vice-chair named

MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 651-7358, mcardoza@gadoe.org

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Headshots:

Mike Royal

Lisa Kinnemore​


December 16, 2015
– The State Board of Education last week selected a new slate of officers. Mike Royal (7th Congressional District) will serve as chair and Lisa Kinnemore (4th Congressional District) will serve as vice chair.

"I look forward to working with Mike and Lisa to expand opportunities, improve outcomes and personalize education for Georgia’s students,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “In the time I have worked with them as members of the State Board of Education, they have proven themselves to be individuals who have our kids’ best interests at heart.” 

Mike Royal is the founder and president of Partners Risk Services, an insurance and risk management firm. Royal is a past chairman of the Gwinnett County Zoning Board of Appeals, a board member for the Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection, a member of the governmental affairs committee of the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE), a previous chairman of government affairs for the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia, and an active member of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. He holds a B.B.A. in finance with an emphasis in risk management and insurance from Georgia Southern University, along with a Certified Insurance Counselors Designation. Royal is a graduate of Brookwood High School in Gwinnett County and lives in Lawrenceville with his wife, Lori, and three daughters.  

"It is a huge honor and even greater responsibility to serve as chairman of this board," Royal said. "I look forward to continuing the work with all of our partners to improve and increase educational opportunities for kids in the state of Georgia."

Lisa Kinnemore is a lifelong resident of DeKalb County and a graduate of Chamblee High School and Georgia State University. She has experience in sales and account management, and home-educated two of her sons for 15 years. Kinnemore was a member of the N.E. Independent Preparatory Academy board for five years, an experience that provided her with insight on sound educational and financial management. She lives with her husband, Garry, in Stone Mountain.

"It gives me great pleasure to serve the students, teachers and administrators across the state of Georgia," Kinnemore said. "As vice chair, I will continue to focus on quality education and improving outcomes for Georgia's students."

The current slate of officers will serve for two years. 

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