Dr. Brad Bowling was named Executive Director of Lake Oconee Academy (LOA)  in July 2023. Before transitioning to Executive Director, Dr. Bowling served as the Upper School Director for LOA, where he worked under the direction and mentorship of Dr. Otho Tucker, who led the school from its founding year in 2007 through the 2022-2023 school year. In his first year, Dr. Bowling worked to build positive relationships with students, staff, families, and community stakeholders and helped oversee teaching and learning, as well as operations at LOA. His leadership helped contribute to a school culture marked by what it means to be ONE Titan- where all strive to be Outstanding Citizens, Noble Scholars, and an Engaged Community. Before coming to LOA, Dr. Bowling served as a teacher and leader in various school districts in Northeast Georgia for the past twenty years. Most recently, he was the Director of Special Education for the Barrow County School System. During his tenure as Special Education Director, Dr. Bowling was named New Special Education Director of the Year for Georgia and the National Early Career Special Education Administrator of the Year in 2020. Previously, Dr. Bowling served as a Principal in Barrow County and Assistant Principal in Athens-Clarke County. He began his career as a special education teacher in Forsyth and Barrow County.

Dr. Bowling holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Georgia, where he was recognized for his research on post-secondary outcomes for at-risk students with the UGA Mullen Scholarship. Additionally, he holds an L-5 (Master’s) in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology from the University of Georgia. Dr. Bowling earned a Master’s Degree in Interrelated Special Education from the University of North Georgia in 2003.

Professionally, Dr. Bowling serves as the President-Elect for the Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education (G-CASE) and was recently named to the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) earlier this year. Dr. Bowling has served as both Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Northeast Georgia Local Special Education Advisory Council and as a Georgia Middle School Association Board Member. He has presented on the local, state, and national levels on various topics related to Educational Leadership.

During his career in education, Dr. Bowling has remained active in his community, serving in various capacities, including as a member of the Board of Directors for Aldersgate Homes for Adults with Developmental Disabilities, the Board of Directors of the North Georgia/North Honduras Mission, and on the Athens-Clarke County Mayor’s Mental Health Advisory Board. Additionally, he has served as both a member- at large and a staff parish board member of Athens First United Methodist Church.

He currently resides in Greensboro, Georgia, where he enjoys spending time with his friends and family, is an avid outdoor enthusiast, and enjoys golf and pickleball.