OUR 2023-24 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Commitment to Leadership

CLAY WATSON CONCLUDES TERM AS CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2021-23

WITNESSING CLAY WATSON serve as the Chair of the GPS Board of Trustees is a little like watching Rory McIlroy swing a golf club. Effortless, professional, skillful. Or perhaps he just made it look that way. Nevertheless, Watson successfully led the school and its board through a season of transition as GPS found its footing on the other side of a years-long pandemic and the changeover from an interim head of school to 10th Head of School Megan D. Cover.

Familiar in the Big Blue environment as a McCallie alumnus from the Class of 1992 and father of GPS twins in the Class of 2022, Watson’s board service since 2016 has included Finance Chair, Buildings and Grounds Chair, Vice Chair of the Board, and Co-Chair of the Head of School Search Committee before becoming Chair of the Board of Trustees in 2021. “Clay is a humble and wise leader who is thoughtful, intentional, and strategic in his leadership. He has been incredibly generous to GPS in consistently sharing his time, treasure, and talents. Fortunately for us, Clay will continue on the board next year for his final term,” Cover says.

The Watson family name is synonymous with service. Clay’s father, David Watson, served on the GPS Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2009, beginning three years after Clay’s sister, Katie, graduated as the first Bruiser in the family. “My dad told me to continue to be a good listener,” Watson says of his father’s advice. “I’ve always felt that the best leaders were the best listeners, and that’s helped me to learn from previous chairs and board members.”

He counts leading the Board through the transition of a new head of school to be his greatest accomplishment and says, “I really think that we hit a home run with Megan and continue to see the fruits of her hire.” But he’ll always count being on stage with his daughters during their Commencement as the highlight of his tenure. “That was a big moment,” he recalls. “The reason I wanted to become a trustee was to be able to somewhat affect the leadership of the school, be a part of the direction of the school, and benefit not only my girls but hundreds of others.”

Serving on the board, especially as Chair, warrants a significant time commitment, so Watson was grateful for the moment in his career that afforded him the opportunity to step into a role that carried the additional responsibility of transitioning in a new head of school. “Just like with my business, I surround myself with people who are better than I am,” he says of his fellow board members, who have been instrumental to his successful term.

As Watson prepares to hand the proverbial torch to his vice-chair, Amy Arrowsmith, he says he’s confident in the future of the board and the school. His advice to Arrowsmith? “Be a good listener—to fellow trustees and to Megan—and continue to do what is right for the school,” Watson says. “Be there for Megan and support the school’s leadership. Keep the school and the girls in the forefront with the decisions that are being made.”

To cap his term he says, “I never dreamed I’d be the father of twin GPS girls, and serving as Board Chair is an honor I’ll never forget.”

“I hope that GPS continues to be innovative and teach the girls how to think and how to continuously be prepared for what comes their way when they leave Island Avenue. I hope that the community continues to stay behind Megan and allow her to continue to lead the school and maintain the positive momentum. Not only is the community behind Megan, but we have a positive product to present to prospective students. Our current families see the positivity as well and, by virtue of their having a good experience, that sells the value of GPS throughout Chattanooga. Happy customers! It’s a harbinger of good things to come.”