Our Mission and Our Team

Eric Arena served as Superintendent of Putnam County Charter School System for over 13 years, leading with a steadfast commitment to educational excellence and meaningful community engagement. Under his leadership, the district was honored with the prestigious Georgia Charter System Leadership Award, recognizing a deep dedication to innovation and student success. Eric is a recipient of the President’s Award and has contributed to statewide education policy and advocacy as a past board member of the Charter System Foundation. He currently serves on the board of the Georgia Writers Museum, where he continues to champion literacy and the arts. His past civic involvement includes board service with the Putnam County Board of Health, the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, and other initiatives supporting regional development and community wellness. With an enduring passion for public education and community impact, Mr. Arena remains a respected and influential leader across Georgia’s educational landscape.

Derick Austin serves as the Superintendent of Schools for the Putnam County Charter School System in Eatonton, Georgia, where he leads with a vision to inspire, innovate, and excel. A native of Milledgeville, Georgia, Austin made history as the first African-American superintendent in Putnam County, having served previously as Assistant Superintendent.  Austin’s leadership is marked by a focus on expanding special programs, fostering inclusive learning environments, and strengthening community engagement. Known for his collaborative approach and forward-thinking mindset, Austin’s work reflects a passion for empowering educators and students alike to reach their full potential.

Janet has been actively engaged with children from Pre-K through High School throughout her professional career and volunteer activities. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Janet worked in Illinois, North Carolina, and Georgia during her career as a nationally Certified School Psychologist. In retirement, Janet maintains an active volunteer schedule. She has served on the Board of The Plaza Arts Center and currently coordinates the After School Art Program and summer camps for children and teens. She serves on the board and chairs the education committee of the Georgia Writers Museum, and as a mentor with the Lake Oconee Youth Alliance has advised high school students considering college selection, military, and career path choices. Janet works in the Christian education ministry of her church and on its Administrative Council. She is as passionate about the benefits of education as she is about working with students to advance their goals.

Fredrick L. Lowe Jr. was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and later moved to Covington, Georgia with his family, where he attended Newton High School. In 2004 at the age of 16 Fredrick became a licensed minister. While in high school he worked in funeral services, and upon graduation attended Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service. In November 2014 Fredrick was called to Pastor Zion Covenant Fellowship Church in Eatonton, Georgia. Pastor Lowe and his wife Vanicia Lowe married in 2015 and have three children. In 2015, he enrolled at Luther Rice College and Seminary, and in 2017, he enrolled in Ashford University with studies in Psychology. Pastor Lowe is an entrepreneur and a man of many talents. He enjoys traveling, spending time with his wife and children, and is a dedicated supporter of the local youth in our community and other communities.

Ms. Sandra Clemons Parham is a native of Putnam County, Eatonton, Georgia. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Georgia College, Milledgeville. Parham is a retired high school educator with 35 years of service in Jasper and Putnam Counties teaching business and computer applications. Ms. Parham is a widowed mother of two adult children and is a grandmother. She is a member of the St. John A.M.E. Church where she serves in many capacities. Ms. Parham is a servant worker as she volunteers her time with numerous civic organizations, believing strongly in giving back to and uplifting others. Teaching was most definitely her calling, her passion, and a way of serving humankind. She believes strongly in the adage that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Parham loves spending time with her beloved family and close friends. She also enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, traveling, reading, and using social media to connect with former students and colleagues.

Kim is a lifelong resident of Putnam County and 1992 graduate of Putnam County High School.  Kim earned her BBA in Economics from Mercer University and has worked in the banking industry for the past 20 years.  Currently she is the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources at The Peoples Bank in Eatonton, Georgia.  Kim has been very active in the community, including our local school system.  She is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Putnam, as well as a former member of the first School Governance Authority (SGA) of Putnam County Charter School System, where she served as a parent advocate for Putnam County High School.  She currently serves as secretary of Mothers Against Crime, a local civics group that serves the youth and elderly of this community.  In her spare time, she enjoys family gatherings with her two sons, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, as well as serving in her church.

Rev. Dr. Avis Williams is the Community Liaison for the Putnam County Charter School System. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Emory University, including a doctorate of ministry in theology. Dr. Williams served as Pastor of Community Transformation for Lake Oconee Community Church from 2007 to 2018, organizing its Youth Alliance, a collaborative partnership between the Greensboro Housing Authority, the Greene County Schools, and PCCSS. In this role, she helped organize cultural, historical, and educational enrichment for the students with a four-week summer program and regular semester activities for students, parents, church, and community volunteers. Before that she owned Envirohazard Consultants of Covington, Ga., an environmental, health, and safety consulting company. Avis has served on the boards of numerous community organizations, including the Saint Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, Life Source Food Distribution, and the Plaza Arts Center, and currently serves on the board of Central Georgia Technical College and Oconee Valley Healthcare.