Gene Bottoms retired in April 2018 after a 61-year career working to improve education for all students. He joined the Southern Regional Education Board in 1987 as director of the High Schools That Work initiative, bringing more than 40 years of experience working on issues of education policy and practice in the public sector. In 1997, he became senior vice president of SREB, and his leadership responsibilities expanded to high schools, middle grades, technology centers and preparing principals to become leaders of curriculum and instruction. He also directed the work to prepare teachers and school leaders to help students master both college- and career- readiness standards, particularly in the areas of literacy, mathematics and career and technical studies.

As Senior Vice President, Gene led more than 125 full-time staff and part-time consultants who work in the several initiatives under the broad umbrella of school improvement across SREB states and beyond. Prior to joining SREB, Bottoms served as executive director of the American Vocational Association. He also served as the director of education improvement for the Georgia Department of Education. Bottoms holds doctorate and master’s degrees in guidance and counseling from the University of Georgia.