Greater Atlanta Christian Names New President

NORCROSS, GA — Greater Atlanta Christian School President David Fincher will step down next year after two decades at the helm of the Gwinnett County private school.

In a letter to the school community Tuesday, board of trustees Chairman Fernando Nasmyth wrote that Scott Harsh, the school's current vice president for academics, will succeed Fincher after July 1 of next year.

In is own letter to the GAC community, Fincher expressed appreciation.

"All my life, I have been grateful to God for the chance to share in both the teaching and vision-casting for what an amazing Christian school could be," Fincher wrote.

Fincher has spent his entire career at GAC, arriving in 1972 as a 21-year-old teacher. He will move into the roll of chancellor at the school after stepping down in July.

He will oversee specific projects for the board, offer advice and work to advance particular initiatives of the school's strategic plan. During his tenure, Greater Atlanta Christian has become one of the first schools in the nation to launch international missions and was an early adopter of 1-to-1 technology for students.

The school's 88-acre campus now includes more than 25 innovative learning centers, premier arts venues and highly regarded athletic facilities. Recent projects have included a major expansion of the visual and performing arts program and a complete renovation of the middle and high school facilities.

"More than two years ago, David encouraged the board to prayerfully prepare for inevitable transition," Nasmyth wrote. "The Board Search Committee set about the vital task of identifying Fincher’s successor in early 2016, with a commitment to a thorough and detailed process and nationwide search. We interviewed superb candidates: leaders in higher education, K-12 Christian schools, and the nonprofit and business sectors."

Harsh, 46, has worked at the school for 21 years as a teacher and principal and in other leadership roles. He taught public school in Memphis before coming to GAC, sits on the board of the National Christian School Association and is completing his doctorate in Organizational Therapy fro Abilene Christian University.

He follows Fincher and GAC’s founding president, Jesse Long, who served in the role from before the school opened its doors in 1967 until 1998.

"Scott has worked tirelessly for GAC’s mission and has been the force behind many of GAC’s innovative initiatives," Nasmyth wrote.

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Photos courtesy Greater Atlanta Christian School