David McCleskey

David McCleskey’s career in public education and community service in Gwinnett County spans 40 years. Both personally and professionally David has been an advocate for world class education and quality health care in our community, through his many leadership roles at local and state levels. His service and dedication has centered on two of Gwinnett’s major players in providing and sustaining a high standard of life – the Gwinnett County Public School System and Gwinnett Medical Center.

With a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University Atlanta and a master’s degree from Atlanta University, David began his career in Gwinnett as a professional classroom teacher and was named Middle School Teacher of the Year and first runner-up for Teacher of the Year for Gwinnett County Public Schools. After serving 14 years in the classroom, David was recruited to lead on a broader level, and in 1990 became the Coordinator of Business Education Partnerships for GCPS where he helped charter a Business Education Partnership Committee with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. In 2002 David moved into his current role as Governmental Liaison and Community Ombudsman for Gwinnett County Public Schools. In this role, David has been the liaison with local, state and national elected and appointed officials regarding educational and community issues while providing accurate and timely information that promote Gwinnett’s best interest in education and economic development matters.

At the state level, David has been of service to two gubernatorial administrations. He first served as an Executive on loan for two years to Governor Barnes where he served as Executive Director, Georgia State Board of Education, under Board Chairman Otis Brumby. During the Purdue Administration, David served as lead staff and assistant policy director to the Governor’s Education Finance Task Force. He then held the position of Chief Operating Officer for the Georgia Teachers’ Retirement System.

David’s passion for families and the Gwinnett community is evident in other ways, too. He is an active member of Lawrenceville First Baptist Church where he serves as deacon and Sunday School teacher. He has served on many Boards, including J.M. Tull YMCA, Mercer University Atlanta Alumni Association, United Way of Gwinnett, Gwinnett Federal Credit Union and the Northeast Georgia Council Boy Scouts of America. In recognition of these roles, David received the Gwinnett County Bar Association’s prestigious Liberty Bell Award which acknowledges outstanding public service and community involvement. In addition, David received a 2013 Public Service Award and in 2014 was the Community Leadership Recipient of the Healthcare Excellence Award from the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.

Since 2004 David served on the Board of Directors for the Gwinnett Hospital System, presiding as Chairman of the Board from 2010 until 2015. As chairman, David’s visionary leadership led to the successful opening of the North Tower and the Strickland Heart Center in Lawrenceville, as well as, the Center for Surgical Weight Management in Duluth. As Chairman, David led in the establishment of the negotiations leading to discussions of the partnership between Gwinnett Medical and Northside Hospital. Most recently he was invited to serve on the Gwinnett Medical Center’s Foundation Board, and the Gwinnett County Library Foundation Board.