NW Metro Atlanta Habitat names leaders to board

(Marietta Daily Journal, June 13, 2018) Staff reports

Smyrna-based NW Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity announced the addition of three Cobb County leaders to its Board of Directors – Richard T. Gieryn Jr., Dr. Gordon Pritz and Andre Sims.

RICHARD T. GIERYN JR.

An East Cobb resident, Gieryn recently retired as chairman of the Board of Axis Ireland Legal Entities.

Previously, he was executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Axis Capital Holdings Limited and prior of Axis Specialty U.S. Holdings Inc.

He also served as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Combined Specialty Group Inc. and prior held the same position with ACE INA and Westchester Specialty Group. He has served on the Board of Trustees of Aon Pension Plan, the Board of Directors of Sheffield Insurance Corporation and ACE USA insurance operating companies, formerly known as Westchester Specialty Group.

He began his career at Drew, Eckl & Farnham law firm in Atlanta as an associate before becoming a partner. He is a cum laude graduate of Duke University and a juris doctor degree from Emory University School of Law.

GORDON PRITZ

A Powder Springs resident, Dr. Pritz has served at every level of public education as a teacher, coach and administrator.

He retired in 2017, after serving as the superintendent of Douglas County School systems since 2010.

Earlier in his career, he coached wrestling and football at Campbell, Wheeler and McEachern high schools. In recent years he has also been a graduate adjunct professor at Central Michigan University. He is the recipient of numerous awards and coaching titles, including the Georgia School Superintendents Association’s President’s Award in 2017.

He has served extensively in Cobb and Douglas County on boards of directors.

He holds a masters degree from Georgia State University and a doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University.

ANDRE SIMS

A Marietta resident, Sims is a Realtor with RE/Max Greater Atlanta, where he has served for 30 years.

He has been recognized as the No. 2 sales agent in 2017, and ranks in the top 1-percent of all residential real estate agents nationwide. He has received numerous sales awards, including Lifetime Membership into the Million Dollar Club, the Active Platinum Phoenix Award, the Miracle Maker Award and was inducted into the RE/MAX Hall Fame.

He holds a bachelor of science degree in marketing from Hampton University.

He is an active member of Turner Chapel AME Church where he serves in several ministries. He is also a commissioner on the Marietta Housing Authority Board of Directors.

“We are elated to add such distinguished and talented leaders to our board of directors,” said David McGinnis, President and CEO. “Their experience in various industries gives each of them a unique perspective in which to further our collective cause.”