Agenda Item
b. Approval of DeKalb Schools Foundation Board Member Slate (Updated 10.16.2023)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Yolanda Williamson, Chief of Community Engagement and Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement and Innovative Partnerships
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County School District Board of Education approve the DeKalb Schools Foundation board member slate for the purpose of establishing the Foundation.
DeKalb Schools Foundation Board Member Slate
Ms. Sadie Dennard - Retired, Georgia Power Company
Ms. Paige Perkins - High Rise Division Manager, Community Management Associates, Inc
Ms. Patricia Smith - Retired, Finance Professional - City of Atlanta
Mr. Robert Davis, Jr. - Corporate Real Estate Executive
Mr. Steve Overcash - Business Development Officer, Georgia United Credit Union
Ms. Martha Pacini - Director, LEO A. DALY
Dr. Tavarez Holston - President, Georgia Piedmont Technical College
Why: As stated in DeKalb Schools Foundation Bylaws approved by the BOE at the May, 2021 BOE meeting, Article Two, Section 2.2 - Board of Trustees. The Trustees shall consist of not less than [five (5)] nor more than [thirteen (13)] Trustees, one (1) of whom shall be the Superintendent of the District, and section 2.3 Manner of Appointment. The initial number of Trustees shall be set by the DeKalb County Board of Education, who shall also appoint the initial Trustees, other than the Superintendent.
Approval of the DeKalb Schools Foundation board member slate moves the foundation to the next step in the process towards completing formation of the Foundation.
Details: The purpose of the Foundation is to support the educational activities of the DeKalb County School District and its constituent schools, staff, current students, and graduates in pursuit of primary, secondary and post-secondary education, and to do within the law all things necessary and proper to accomplish the foregoing as contemplated by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-64.
The Foundation is organized and shall be operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes as such terms are defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE TWO, Board of Trustees 2.1 States Authority and Responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The direction and management of the affairs of the Foundation and the control and disposition of its properties and funds shall be vested in a Board of Trustees (the "Board"). All powers, duties, and functions of the Foundation conferred by the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or otherwise by law shall be exercised, performed, or controlled by the Board. The Board shall determine the Foundation's policies or changes thereto and shall actively prosecute its purposes and objectives and supervise the disbursement of its funds. The Board may adopt, by majority vote, such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business and the business of the Foundation as it deems advisable and may delegate certain of its authority and responsibility to an executive committee as further provided herein. Under no circumstances, however, shall any actions be taken which are inconsistent with the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws, and the fundamental and basic purposes of the Foundation, as expressed in the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws.
In order to proceed, the DeKalb Schools Foundation must appoint its initial slate of board members.
Financial impact: No financial impact
Contact: Dr. Yolanda Williamson, Chief Community Engagement and Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Empowerment and Innovative Partnerships, 678.676.0218
Effective: Following approval of the slate of DeKalb Schools Foundation board members, the Foundation will move forward with completing establishment.
Status: Reviewed and approved by legal counsel
Robert O. Davis Jr.
Robert O. Davis Jr. believes in the power of education and community service. Along with his
parents, the DeKalb County School System provided him the foundation that helped shape him into
the man that he is today. He attended Allgood Elementary, Middle Grove Middle School, and
graduated from Redan High School. He is also a proud graduate of Tennessee State University with
a degree in Business Information Systems.
Professionally, Robert is a corporate real estate executive with more than 15 years of experience.
Currently, he serves as the Director of Real Estate for the Southeast Region for Burlington Stores,
Inc. where he is responsible for site selection and new store growth in Georgia, Alabama, North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Northern Florida.
During his career, Robert has negotiated in excess of $250M in real estate transactions with some of
the top retailers in the world, including Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement. He has served in
roles with increasing levels of responsibility that have ranged from property appraisal, property
management, property disposition and land acquisition to retail/industrial leasing. Prior to Robert’s
corporate real estate career, he was a Right of Way Agent for the Georgia Department of
Transportation and served in a similar role as a contractor with Georgia Power.
After living in North Carolina and Arkansas, Robert returned to DeKalb County with his family in 2022
to be closer to his parents, Robert, and Bettye Davis, who are highly engaged, long-term DeKalb
residents. It was from them that he learned the importance of connecting with, supporting, and
serving the community.
Robert is a strong family man. He and his wife, Amy, have two children, Zuri and Robert III, who both
attend DeKalb County Schools. He and Amy are very involved with the PTA and school fundraising
efforts. They are members of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, and he volunteers with their son’s
Gresham Park baseball team. Robert is also a member of the International Council of Shopping
Centers and the Real Estate Associate Program.
Since most charitable funds are raised from individuals who believe in a cause, Robert’s strong
networking ability, savvy in building partnerships, and keen negotiating skills make him well prepared
to serve the DeKalb County School Board Foundation,. He is passionate about the cause and eager
to help make it a success.