James Harrell

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Colquitt County School Superintendent Doug Howell has announced leadership team changes effective March 1.

The changes are part of a re-organization plan and an updated, more effective chain of command, the school system said in a press release. Two full-time positions were eliminated as a part of the re-organization plan.

Brad Gregory was named senior assistant superintendent of finance/business services.

He began his career in education as an instructional provider in 2001 and then taught for six years before becoming an assistant principal at R.B. Wright Elementary where he served for five years. Gregory was promoted to comptroller in 2012 and named as Colquitt County Schools’ assistant superintendent of finance in 2015.

Gregory earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting and finance from Mercer University and a bachelor’s degree in middle grades education from Thomas University. Gregory went on to earn his master’s degree in educational leadership from Albany State University and his doctorate in educational leadership from Walden University.

Marni Kirkland was promoted to assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

She began her career as an English teacher in 1993 and taught until she became an academic coach in 2005. Since 2009, Kirkland has served in the roles of secondary gifted services coordinator, instructional coach, secondary assistant principal, and K-12 director of English language arts education. In 2015, Kirkland was named Colquitt County Schools’ director of curriculum, instruction, and learning.

Kirkland earned a bachelor of arts in English education with a minor in art history from Florida State University in 1992, and a master of education in English education from Georgia Southern University in 2005. She earned her education specialist degree in teaching and learning from Georgia Southern University in 2007, and she went on to earn a doctorate in curriculum studies from the same institution.

Irma Townsend has been promoted to assistant superintendent of student services.

She began her career in education in 1982 as a high school English teacher where she taught four years and then a high school special needs teacher for two years. She then served as a high school counselor for two years and an attendance supervisor for four years before becoming an elementary school principal for nine years before being named the student services supervisor. In 2011, Townsend was promoted to the position of human resources director. From 2011 to 2014, she served dual roles as student services supervisor and director of human resources. In 2015, Townsend was hired as the Colquitt County School System’s human resources director.

Townsend earned a bachelor of science in speech communication with a minor in English and her master of education in counseling from Auburn University. She earned her administrative education certification from Troy State University. She went on to earn her doctorate in counselor education and supervision from Auburn University.

James Harrell has been promoted to assistant superintendent of human resources.

Harrell began his career in 1993 as a middle school band director, acquiring eight years of experience as a classroom teacher before becoming an assistant principal for five years. Harrell served as the principal of J.M. Odom Elementary School for seven years before being named Colquitt County Schools’ federal programs director in 2013.

Harrell received his bachelors of arts in music education from Valdosta State University. He went on to receive his master’s degree in educational leadership from Valdosta State University. He has also earned his six-year educational leadership specialist certificate.