Jami Frost is the Deputy Superintendent for Marietta City Schools. She is a highly experienced and dedicated education professional with a passion for student success. With over 29 years of experience in the field of education, she has held various leadership roles, including 13 years as a principal in two elementary schools: Dowell Elementary in Marietta (2005-2010) and Ford Elementary in Acworth (2010-2018). Before serving as principal, she also held the position of assistant principal, instructional lead teacher, and teacher.  Most recently, she served as an Assistant Superintendent in the Cobb County School District in Georgia, overseeing the daily operations of 22 schools. Throughout her career, she has ensured each student has the support and resources needed to succeed.

Dr. Frost holds a bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Teaching from Auburn University and a master’s degree in middle grades education, as well as leadership certification from the University of West Georgia. She has a proven track record of implementing successful programs and initiatives to support student learning and growth. Dr. Frost works tirelessly to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education. She is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students can reach their full potential.

In her free time, Dr. Frost enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading, and visiting Lake Martin in Alabama.

Chuck Gardner is a career educator committed to ensuring that every child receives a high quality education that prepares them for the life they choose. He served as Principal of Riverwood High School, Sandy Springs Middle School, and Frank McClarin High School in Fulton County Schools. Prior to being appointed principal, Chuck held positions as an assistant principal, and teacher including 8 years in the Cobb County School District.  

Chuck grew up in the Marietta area and is a graduate of Lassiter High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, a master’s degree and Specialist in Educational Leadership from Kennesaw State University.

 Additionally, he is a regular presenter at national conferences, including the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) and the National Association for Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Most recently, as Principal of Riverwood High School, Chuck oversaw the construction of a multi-phase new school construction project totaling more than, $100 million. Chuck and his wife, Kelly are excited to join the Marietta City Schools family. 

Chris Fiore, an Emmy-nominated and award-winning communications executive, comes to Marietta from Louisiana, where he spent the last two years as the Public Information Director for the Louisiana Department of Labor. Spending over a decade in communications, Fiore has executed million-dollar marketing campaigns, managed media relationships on a local and national level, organized town hall meetings, and revamped, restructured, and provided direction to communications strategies big and small.

Fiore previously led communications for the city of South Lake Tahoe, California, and has more than ten years of experience in television news. During his time as a journalist, he covered the war in Afghanistan from the front lines, hurricanes bearing down on the Carolina and Louisiana coasts, and helped spur change on Capitol Hill.

As the Chief Communications Officer for MCS, Fiore will provide vision and leadership for the city’s strategic communications and media relations efforts. He will also lead the team who develops and drives the organization's public relations strategy. 

Fiore received his bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Excited to return to Georgia, Fiore worked in the Public Information Office for the City of Savannah early in his career. He’s also passionate about volunteer work, previously serving as a Co-Chair of leadership Lake Tahoe, Board Member/Media Relations advisor for the Northeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross, and Executive Director of Savannah Pride. 

Kim Blass brings extensive experience working at the intersection of communications and development to her position as the district’s Chief Impact Officer, where she creates district and community impact through partnerships, programs, and philanthropy.

Kim specializes in crafting strategies that advance an organization’s priorities, recognizing the role that messaging, brand, and overall “touches” have on fundraising success and greater engagement across constituencies. Her background includes consulting for Coxe Curry & Associates, where her education clients included Spelman College, Atlanta Youth Academy, and KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools, as well as positions at several leading Atlanta-area institutions, including The Lovett School, the Atlanta History Center, and Northside Hospital. At Lovett, as the chief marketing and communications officer, she sat on the Executive Committee for the School’s $90+ million Our Defining Decade capital campaign and served as a visiting accreditation team member for the Southern Association of Independent Schools and as an active volunteer for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. She also enjoyed working with students as a high school advisor and as an instructor in Lovett's Urban Experience summer school course.

Kim is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she majored in American Studies with a concentration in Southern Studies. She pursued graduate work at Georgia State University in Communications and Journalism. She and her husband, P. Gray Kelly, have two children in Marietta City Schools.