Staff
Meet our staff at the Center for an Educated Georgia:
David Pusey -- Director
Ben Scafidi, Ph.D -- Research and Policy Scholar
Chris Perkins -- Deputy Outreach Coordinator
Kimberly Prince Purvis -- Deputy Outreach Coordinator
David Pusey -- Director
As Director of the Center for an Educated Georgia, David Pusey manages the day-to-day operations of the Center, evaluates education policy, serves as a liason to government officials, and is the primary point-of-contact for Georgia’s education reform community. He also coordinates communications from the Center and is editor of the monthly CEG Education Reform Newsletter. A long time resident of North Georgia, David joined Georgia Family Council (parent organization of the Center for an Educated Georgia) in 2007 after earning a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs from Georgia Tech, specializing in developing world policy issues. While there, he wrote on issues of decolonization and economic development in Africa in addition to studies of transitional justice institutions around the world. In his spare time, David enjoys hockey, hiking, golf, and traveling. He and his wife, Lauren, reside in Woodstock. To contact David, e-mail him at david(at)educatedgeorgia.org, or call (678) 578-6067.
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Ben Scafidi, Ph.D -- Research and Policy Scholar
As Research and Policy Scholar of the Center for an Educated Georgia, Ben Scafidi, Ph.D is responsible for contributing to publications and research projects for the Center. He also provides technical assistance to government agencies and other organizations, and responds to media inquiries on education topics.
Dr. Scafidi is an associate professor and Director of the Economics of Education Policy Center in the J. Whitney Bunting School of Business at Georgia College & State University. He is also a Fellow with the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, chair of Georgia’s Charter Commission, and is a member of Georgia’s Charter Advisory Committee. He was the Principal Investigator on “The Taxpayer Costs of Divorce and Unwed Childbearing” study released by Georgia Family Council and other organizations.
Dr. Scafidi has had extensive experience in state government serving as the Education Policy Advisor for Governor Sonny Perdue and on two of former Governor Roy Barnes’ Education Reform Study Commissions. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Virginia and his bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Notre Dame.
He and his wife have four children
To contact Dr. Scafidi, email him at ben(at)educatedgeorgia.org or call (678) 578-6067.
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Chris Perkins -- Deputy Outreach Coordinator
As a Deputy Outreach Coordinator for the Center for an Educated Georgia is responsible for helping build a grassroots organization capable of mobilizing citizens to speak out and inform others and our state legislators on the benefits of school choice. He also supervised and coordinated our summer interns during a voter outreach program.
Prior to joining CEG in May of 2009 Chris worked in the Georgia General Assembly as a Legislative Aide for three sessions (06, 07 & 09). During his time in the legislature his duties included keeping the Representative’s schedule, tracking legislation, research, press releases, constituent services, writing letters and running the legislator’s office.
Chris also has worked on political campaigns in Georgia, Virginia, Mississippi and Illinois. These included both state legislative and U.S. Congressional races.
Chris attended Gordon College in Barnesville, GA and currently resides in Atlanta. His interests include reading and studying about the Crusades, the American Civil War, Early Christian theology and Georgia political history.
To contact Chris, email him at chris(at)educatedgeorgia.org or call (678) 578-6067.
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Kimberly Prince Purvis -- Deputy Outreach Coordinator
As Deputy Outreach Coordinator for the Center for an Educated Georgia, Kimberly is responsible for recruiting, developing, and managing CEG's grassroots network. She provides strategy and event coordination particularly through faith-based organizations within the state of Georgia. Her passion is to advocate for all children to have access to a quality education.
Kimberly Prince Purvis, a native of Tuscaloosa, AL., is the wife of Senior Pastor Wilbur T. Purvis, III and First Lady of Destiny World Church with locations in Austell and Atlanta, GA. Kimberly can be seen in various capacities such as teaching life skills to teens; assisting in planning and logistics; leading practical workshops; working with the fine arts; and inspiring others through speaking.
Kimberly attended The Art Institute of Atlanta where she majored in Music & Media Arts. She later attended Clark Atlanta University and matriculated with a degree in Mass Communications in Atlanta, GA. Kimberly has worked professionally as an Outside Sales Accountant for more than thirteen years in a variety of industries ranging from staffing solutions to litigation consulting.
A budding entrepreneur, she is a managing partner of the firm Elyag Group, LLC, a company that provides pre-employment services to employers and employment agencies throughout the greater Atlanta metropolis.
A devoted mother, she and Pastor Purvis are proud parents of Christina and Destin. While she carries many responsibilities, one of her greatest joys comes from encouraging, sowing faith and expressing optimism into the lives of those she comes in contact with. She exemplifies the vision of Loving God…Connecting People…and Changing Lives...
To contact Kimberly, email him at kim.purvis(at)educatedgeorgia.org or call (678) 578-6067.
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