Leading the pack
College alumni recognized for their personal
and professional achievements
40 UNDER 40
Three College alumni named to UGA’s 2021 40 Under 40 list
Three alumni of the Mary Frances Early College of Education were named to the University of Georgia’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2021. The program celebrates the personal, professional, and philanthropic achievements of UGA graduates who are under the age of 40.
This year, the College’s honorees are Eric Gray (B.S.Ed. ’04), executive director of Catalyst Sports Inc.; Willie Mazyck (B.S.Ed. ’04, M.Ed. ’06, M.B.A. ’14), global talent management senior vice president of XPO Logistics, Inc.; and Cara Simmons (A.B. ’03, M.Ed. ’07, Ph.D. ’18), director and adjunct faculty member at the University of Georgia.
All three honorees exemplify leadership in their industries and communities and uphold the Pillars of the Arch, which are wisdom, justice, and moderation.
ERIC GRAY
Gray, who received his bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure studies, is the founder and executive director of Catalyst Sports Inc. in Atlanta. With nine established chapters in the Southeast, Catalyst is the largest adaptive climbing program in the country.
At the age of 10, Gray received treatment for childhood cancer at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Twenty-five years later, he returned to Children’s as a recreation therapist to give back and share his experiences with those facing similar circumstances. His clinical work spans several top rehab hospitals, including the Shepherd Center, Children’s Hospital of Atlanta’s Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, and VA’s Active Duty Rehab Unit.
“It is an absolute honor to be a member of the 2021 40 Under 40 Class,” says Gray. “To be among such talented and accomplished individuals is very humbling. I am proud of the work Catalyst Sports does to provide diversity and inclusion and access to the outdoors for underserved populations in our community.”
WILLIE MAZYCK
Mazyck, who received his bachelor’s degree in technological studies and master’s degree in instructional technology, plays a major role in building talent and performance culture at XPO Logistics, a transportation and supply chain company ranked No. 1 by Fortune in logistics services.
As global vice president of talent development, Mazyck oversees talent management, instructional design, content management, leadership development, and facilitation for the enterprise. Additionally, he leads a team that provides talent consultation and training services for all of XPO’s business units globally.
“This recognition is a nice reminder that hard work, leaps of faith, and sacrifice truly pay off,” says Mazyck. “I’ve set milestones throughout my career knowing that it may not be the straightest, easiest path. I’ve been fortunate to have the support of my wife, family, friends, and mentors who have continuously encouraged and motivated me and have been nothing short of inspirational. It has all been worth it, and the journey continues.”
CARA SIMMONS
Simmons, who received her master’s degree in college student affairs administration and doctoral degree in counseling and student personnel services, is an adjunct faculty member and director of the Student Success and Advising Center in UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
In this role, she provides leadership in various areas including prospective student recruitment, new student orientation, academic advising, experiential learning, student programming, and more. She also collaborates with and helps students, faculty, staff, and administrators achieve college- and unit-level planning priorities.
“As a three-time graduate of UGA and a two-time graduate of the Mary Frances Early College of Education, I am humbled by the recognition,” says Simmons. “All I ever wanted to do was give back to my community the way I was supported as a student. To be named to the 2021 40 Under 40 list is a tremendous honor.”
Eric Gray (B.S.Ed. ’04), founder and executive director of Catalyst Sports Inc.
Eric Gray (B.S.Ed. ’04), founder and executive director of Catalyst Sports Inc.
Willie Mazyck (B.S.Ed. ’04, M.Ed. ’06, M.B.A. ’14), global vice president of XPO Logistics
Willie Mazyck (B.S.Ed. ’04, M.Ed. ’06, M.B.A. ’14), global vice president of XPO Logistics
Cara Simmons (A.B. ’03, M.Ed. ’07, Ph.D. ’18), adjunct faculty member and director of the Student Success and Advising Center in UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences
Cara Simmons (A.B. ’03, M.Ed. ’07, Ph.D. ’18), adjunct faculty member and director of the Student Success and Advising Center in UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences
Nominations for UGA’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2022 are now open!
Alumni and friends are invited to nominate a UGA graduate for the 40 Under 40 Class of 2022. Nominations close on
Friday, April 8.
BULLDOG 100
Eight Bulldog 100 companies linked to the College of Education
Eight companies linked to the College were named to the University of Georgia’s 2022 Bulldog 100 list.
This annual recognition, sponsored by the UGA Alumni Association, recognizes the fastest-growing businesses owned or operated by UGA alumni. The winners were measured by their business’s compounded annual growth rate over a three-year period.
Nathan Carmack (A.B. ’67, M.Ed. ’72)
Nathan Carmack (A.B. ’67, M.Ed. ’72)
BOS Medical Staffing and BOS Security Inc., Athens, Georgia (Nathan Carmack Sr., A.B. ’67, M.Ed. ’72): BOS Medical Staffing provides per diem and contract nurse staffing services across Georgia, while BOS Security provides unarmed and armed security guard services for clients across six states as well as virtual guarding services nationwide.
Laura Hope Whitaker (B.S.Ed. ’07, M.Ed. ’10)
Laura Hope Whitaker (B.S.Ed. ’07, M.Ed. ’10)
Extra Special People Inc., Watkinsville, Georgia (Laura Hope Whitaker, B.S.Ed. ’07, M.Ed. ’10): Extra Special People Inc. (ESP) exists to create transformative experiences for people with disabilities and their families, changing communities for the better. With 35 years of experience serving people of all abilities, ESP is a growing nonprofit that carries out its mission in three ways: 360, Java Joy, and Hooray.
Andrew Rasmussen (B.B.A. ’05, M.Ed. ’09)
Andrew Rasmussen (B.B.A. ’05, M.Ed. ’09)
Rasmussen Wealth Management, Athens, Georgia (Andrew Rasmussen, B.B.A. ’05, M.Ed. ’09): Rasmussen Wealth Management is a comprehensive financial and wealth planning firm with offices in Athens and Atlanta. Most of its clients are owners of privately held businesses, corporate executives, physicians, or attorneys.
Robert Turknett (M.Ed. ’69, Ed.D. ’71)
Robert Turknett (M.Ed. ’69, Ed.D. ’71)
Turknett Leadership Group, Atlanta, Georgia (Robert Turknett, M.Ed. ’69, Ed.D. ’71): Turknett Leadership Group’s mission is to develop leaders of character who forge cultures of inclusiveness, respect, trust, and accountability. For more than 30 years, the company has provided guidance and inspiration to support thousands of people, teams, and companies through leadership development services.
Joe (B.S.Ed. ’03, M.Ed. ’06, Ph.D. ’11) and Deanna Cozart (B.B.A. ’03, M.Ed. ’06, Ph.D. ’11)
Joe (B.S.Ed. ’03, M.Ed. ’06, Ph.D. ’11) and Deanna Cozart (B.B.A. ’03, M.Ed. ’06, Ph.D. ’11)
Cozart Realty, Athens, Georgia (Joe Cozart, B.S.Ed. ’03, M.Ed. ’06, Ph.D. ’11 and Deanna Cozart, B.B.A. ’03, M.Ed. ’06, Ph.D. ’11): Cozart Realty has been serving the greater Athens community since 2016 with a focus on residential real estate, new construction, and investment properties. Through a focus on education, they have grown their client base quickly. The company has been one of the fastest-growing in the area with revenues of nearly $1 million last year and continues to focus on future growth.
Ellen Beasley (B.S.Ed. ’09, A.B. ’09)
Ellen Beasley (B.S.Ed. ’09, A.B. ’09)
Primrose School of Athens, Athens, Georgia (Ellen Beasley, B.S.Ed. ’09, A.B. ’09): Primrose School of Athens is a locally owned and operated private preschool featuring a balanced learning approach focused on helping children (infant to kindergarten) develop intellectual, creative, physical, and social emotional (or character and life) skills in authentic, age-appropriate ways.
Christie Copelan (B.S.Ed. ’91)
Christie Copelan (B.S.Ed. ’91)
Roberts Civil Engineering LLC, St. Simons, Georgia (Christie Copelan, B.S.Ed. ’91): Roberts Civil Engineering (RCE) is a professional engineering firm established in 2009 that specializes in civil engineering services for municipalities, government agencies, commercial investors, residential developers, and industrial organizations. RCE office locations include St. Simons Island and Savannah, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida; and Charleston, South Carolina.
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