Board of Trustees
- Scott Frank, Chair
- Jeffrey Kudlata, Vice Chair
- Michael Wright, Treasurer
- Elizabeth Brown
- Scott Conner
- Kristen Delaney
- Daniel Giannini
- John F. Green
- Teka Grimes
- Kim Huffman
- Donald Paul
- Josie Redwine
- Sue M. Straeter, Ed.D.
- Maia Alees Walton, M.D.
Scott Frank, Chair

Scott is president of AT&T Intellectual Property and is responsible for the identification, development, protection, management, marketing, licensing and sale of all company-wide intellectual property for AT&T. Scott received his Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech, and his Law Degree and Masters in Business from Georgia State University. Scott is a member of the Board of Directors of the Intellectual Property Owners Assoc.; Chair of the Georgia Tech and Georgia State University Intellectual Property Advisory Boards; Chair of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Tech Research Corporation, and former Chair of the State Bar of Georgia’s Intellectual Property Law Section. He is also former Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Mary Hall Freedom House, an organization that rehabilitates women with addiction problems. Scott has a dyslexic daughter and has taken a great interest in Swift School and its mission. His daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia in fifth grade. She graduated from Marist and is currently attending Kennesaw University. Scott joined Swift School’s Board of Trustees in 2016 and became Chair in July of 2018.
Jeffrey Kudlata, Vice Chair

Jeffrey Kudlata is a Talent Management practice leader at AT&T. Jeff brings a deep expertise in corporate education and people development. Jeff graduated from Vanderbilt University and has an MBA from Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management. He has held Alumni Board positions at both schools. Jeff joined the Swift School’s Board of Trustees in 2011. He has served as Chair of the Personnel Committee and Jeff and his wife Regan have co-chaired the Swift Annual Fund. Jeff has served as secretary since 2012. Jeff’s daughter Ainsley is an alumni of Swift School.
Michael Wright, Treasurer

Michael is a recently retired high-level executive. Mike spent 32 years within the Coca-Cola system working in both finance and information technology. In his role as Vice President of Finance, Mike managed the treasury, investor relations, financial reporting, budgeting and planning, taxation and insurance functions. Mike’s roles in information technology included multi-million dollar, multi-year projects in finance, human resources and product supply. Mike is a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States. Mike has personally experienced the challengers and concerns of having a child with dyslexia. His son was diagnosed with dyslexia in elementary school. He graduated from Lassiter high school and attends George College and State University. Mike’s frustrations with the lack of access to information and resources for parents with dyslexic children led him to join the board of the IDA where he continues to serve. Michael joined the Swift School’s Board of Trustees in 2016 and he is currently serving as Treasurer.
Elizabeth Brown
Elizabeth Brown is an elementary education teacher with a master’s degree in Arts in Education. She taught first and second grade for ten years in Seattle, WA. While raising her three children, Elizabeth was very active in the community. She served on the Issaquah Schools Foundation, raising over $950,000 chairing their Luncheons. She was the chair for Issaquah middle school Site council and The Children’s Garden school board, serving as president for two years. In 2013 Elizabeth, her husband, Kevin and their three children moved to Atlanta. Elizabeth is the Grant committee chair for Ribbons of Hope, a non-profit organization that awards $100,000 to a Georgia based non-profit whose primary mission is serving women and children. She is also a mom mentor for Peachtree Church MOPs and has been involved with WCBS Bible study. Elizabeth and her husband, Kevin reside in Sandy Springs. Her son Matthew, is attending the University of Georgia. Her daughter Katie, is at Chapman University in California. Her youngest child, William, attended Swift School for three years. This experience was life changing for him, and for their family. Elizabeth joined Swift School’s Board of Trustees in 2020.
Scott Conner

Scott Conner retired from the position of senior vice president at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. after 39 years of service in April of 2017. Scott began his career with Honda in 1978 as a motorcycle service representative in Texas. He advanced through the ranks of the Service Division to the level of national manager for Power Equipment Service before his 2010 promotion to senior vice president. Honda Power Equipment Division is the sales, marketing, customer service and engineering arm for Honda power products, general purpose engines and outboard marine engines in the USA, US Territories, Central America and the Caribbean. Scott has earned over 20 professional certificates in technical, managerial and marketing disciplines ranging from machine shop technology from Madison County Trade Tech to marketing from Emory University Goizueta Business School. He has served as a board member on several operating boards including Honda Power Equipment Mfg. (HPE), the Executive Board for the Engine Manufactures Association (EMA), the board of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the board of the American Honda Foundation. Scott has been married to his wife Judie for 36 years, they have three children and four grandchildren all living in the greater Atlanta area. Scott joined Swift School’s Board of Trustees in 2017.
Kristen Delaney
Kristen Delaney is the Director of Marketing & Communications for Undergraduate & Graduate Admissions at Georgia State University. Georgia State is comprised of over 53,000 students at 7 campuses and was ranked as the #2 Most Innovative University by U.S. News & World Report in 2019. Kristen is a longtime supporter of Georgia State, having received her MBA in Marketing from the Robinson College of Business and then serving on the Alumni Board for ten years. She continues her volunteer involvement by mentoring women in the Honors College and participating in the Women Lead Program. Prior to working at the university, Kristen served in several marketing leadership roles in Atlanta including the Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Director of Marketing for the High Museum of Art, and as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the fabulous Fox Theatre. During her tenure at the Fox, Venues Today Magazine ranked it as the #1 Venue in the Country for venues its size, and Pollstar Magazine ranked it #5 in the World. Before her work growing the arts audiences in Atlanta, Kristen managed Marketing and Product Planning at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., for their Power Equipment Division. While at Honda she was the recipient of the MAX Award from the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Georgia State University for product development and marketing. Kristen received her BA in Political Science and Theatre from Binghamton University (SUNY) in Binghamton, NY. She currently serves on the executive committee of the Women’s Philanthropic Network for Georgia State, participated in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Art Leaders of Metro Atlanta task force, and is a graduate of ARC’s Regional Leadership Institute. Kristen and her husband, Michael, live in Buckhead with their children Morgan (16), Dylan (14) and Liam (8). Kristen joined Swift School’s Board of Trustees in 2019.
Daniel Giannini
Dan retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers (pwc) in 2005 after a career of more than 30 years. As the Atlanta Market Technology Leader, he was responsible for serving Early Stage Venture backed to Large Cap Companies. He has been a member of the Board of NxStage Medical Inc. (NXTM) from 2005 until the merger with Fresenius Medical Care in 2019, serving on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees and as Chairman of the Audit Committee. He was also a member of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee of nuBridges a Software and Services Company until the merger with Liaison Technologies in 2011. During his career and after retiring Dan has been a member of the Board of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), an Executive in Residence at the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) at Georgia Tech, a Member of the Board of the Georgia Charter Schools Association and the President of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors as well as Board Member and Chairman. Competencies that Dan brings to the Swift School Board include Strategy, Corporate Development, Governance, Risk, Accounting and Finance.
John F. Green
John is the managing director and founding partner of a management consulting company. He provides executive level change management services to his clients. John enters organizations during difficult transition periods and provides leadership towards the design, development and adoption of strategic initiatives. John specializes in developing G2M strategies with his clients and deploying technologies that change their business. He has experience completing strategic initiatives in North America, EMEA and APAC regions. He has worked with over 250 Companies. John is based in Atlanta, GA and supplements his expertise with an outstanding team of consulting professionals in the Southeast and Northeast regions of the U.S. John did his education at New York University Stern School of Business Finance & Economic BBS. John is husband to Jacki Green, father to Kirsten and Connor. John is inspired by the education sector that helps children with learning differences. John joined Swift School’s Board of Trustees in 2020.
Teka Grimes
Teka Grimes is the Director of Strategic Development for Healthgrades, the #1 brand for
Americans to find a doctor and prepare for their appointment. In this role, she is responsible
for developing and implementing strategies to deliver business growth, market optimization,
and consumer-focused digital marketing solutions for brands in the life science and healthcare
industries. Previously, she worked at Turner Broadcasting in several strategic roles, including Senior
Director of Strategy Development for Entertainment Division supporting TNT, TBS, TCM and
truTV and at JPMorgan Chase & Co. as a Corporate and Investment Banking Analyst.
Teka holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Northwestern University in Evanston,
Illinois. From 2013 to 2016, she served as a Board Director for Everybody Wins! Atlanta, a
501(c)3 non-profit that facilities programs to improve literacy for children through powerful
mentor relationships. Teka, a native of Hagerstown, Maryland, lives in Marietta with her husband and two sons, of which one is dyslexic. She is passionate about literacy and serving the Atlanta community. Teka joined Swift School’s Board of Trustees in 2020.
Kim Huffman

Kim Huffman is employed by LexisNexis as a Product Owner for the Risk Defense Platform. She has over 20 years of experience in product management, business analysis, project management and implementation in the software and broadcast industries. Kim holds a BA from Hartwick College, a Masters degree from Emerson College and a Masters in library and Information Science from Valdosta State University. She was a member of Swift's Strategic Planning Committee in 2013-2014 and has been an active parent volunteer and donor. Kim's son Noah is a 2018 alumnus of Swift. Kim joined Swift’s Board of Trustees in 2018.
Donald Paul

Don Paul has more than 20 years of experience working in the information technology, warehouse and logistics arenas. Don was an Associate Partner with Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) before joining Georgia-Pacific to run IT for 3 of the company’s divisions. In 1992, Don was recruited to a newly created International and Logistics Group at The Home Depot to forecast, purchase and manage all imported product. After a short retirement, Don was coaxed into the role as Facilities Manager for Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church (MVPC) and School (MVPS), which consisted of managing and maintaining nearly 30 acres and almost 200,000 sq ft of building space ranging in age from new to over 50 years old. In addition, Don served as the Business Administrator for MVPC managing all IT functions, along with accounting and payroll. Don was an Elder at MVPC and has served on the Board of Stirred-Up Ministries, a group serving underprivileged youth in downtown Atlanta. Don holds a BCE degree from Georgia Tech and an MSIA degree from Purdue University. Don joined Swift School’s Board of Trustees in 2017.
Josie Redwine

Josie Redwine is a co-founder of Swift School and served as Swift President until 2002. She has been in private law practice, Josie Redwine, P.C., since 1997. Josie has represented adoptive parents, agencies, and birth parents in 4,000+ adoption proceedings, including intrastate, interstate and international proceedings. Josie holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia and earned her Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University. Josie and her husband are parents of two adult children. Her daughter Sophia was Swift’s first student. Josie joined Swift’s Board of Trustees in 2018.
Sue M. Straeter, Ed.D.
Sue Straeter is a certified Reading Specialist with a Master’s Degree in Education from Georgia State University. She taught elementary students in Kansas City and St. Louis. MO, Atlanta, GA, Allentown and Philadelphia, PA. During her years in Atlanta, Dr. Straeter worked at the DeKalb County Georgia Reading Center teaching disabled readers in a clinic setting, completing comprehensive diagnostic evaluations on referrals, consulting for the classroom developmental reading program and supervising reading specialists and paraprofessionals through staff development sessions in schools. After earning a doctorate in Education and the Psychology of Reading at Temple University, Dr. Straeter served as Upper School Learning Specialist at Moravian Academy in Bethlehem, PA. She left the Academy to become the Assistant Head, then Head of The Hillside School, an elementary school for children with Learning Disabilities in Macungie, PA. Since retiring, Dr. Straeter volunteers with several community organizations focused on education, maternal care, hunger, and animal rescue. She served as President of her Rotary Club, board member and District 7430 Conference Chair. Sue and husband Ray have five children. Daughter Claire, a dyslexic, is Clinical Director of Critical Care, Neurosciences and Psychiatry at Georgetown University Hospital. Granddaughter Chloe, one of their five grandchildren, is a student at Swift School. Our family is proof that “One in five students, or 15-20% of the population, has a language-based learning disability.” —Dyslexia Center of Utah Statistics
Maia Alees Walton, M.D.

Dr. Maia Alees Walton, MD, is a Board-Certified Pediatrician and Co-Founder of The M Center for Integrative Wellness where she specializes in children with special needs, learning differences, and chronic illnesses most often without the use of harsh pharmaceuticals. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry with honors and Doctorate of Medicine from Howard University. She trained at one of the top residencies in the country at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Walton has a passion for education and children and families with special needs and an integrative, holistic approach to both. She and her husband have two young children, Ava Rose and William IV, that she homeschools via the classical method. Maia joined Swift School’s Board of Trustees in 2017.
