The Georgia Forensic Coaches Association is the primary organization responsible for governing all speech & debate activities in the state of Georgia. Each year, we host a Varsity State Championship and a First & Second Year State Championship.
Each year the membership elects four individuals to lead the organization as well as six Area Coordinators to help organize each area of the state.
The 2011-2012 Executive Committee
President
Mario Herrera, Henry W. Grady High School: Mario has been the Director of Forensics at Grady HS for six years. Prior to Grady, he coached for 12 years in New Mexico and Texas. In addition to serving as President of the GFCA, he has also served as Secretary and Treasurer. Mario serves as the NFL Northern Mountain District Chair. In addition to being named the 2011 GFCA Speech Coach of the Year, he was three times named Speech Coach of the Year and once named Debate Coach of the Year by NMSDA and named Coach of the Year by the Atlanta Urban Debate League.
Vice President
Richard Bracknell, Carrollton High School: Richard has been the Head Debate Coach at Carrollton High School for more than 25 years. Richard has been instrumental in the success of the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association. He served as President for the organization for more than 15 years. In addition to serving as Vice President, he serves as the District Chair for the NFL Southern Peach District. Richard received the GFCA Coach of the Year Award in 1989. He is also a member of the GFCA Hall of Fame, class of 2001. Richard is also a City Councilman for the city of Temple. You can reach Richard at richard.bracknell@carrolltoncityschools.net
Secretary
Jeffrey Miller, Marist School: Jeffrey is the Director of Speech & Debate for Marist School. Prior to coming to Marist, Jeffrey coached for five years at Fayette County High School. In addition to serving as Secretary, he has also served as Treasurer for the GFCA. Jeffrey serves on the District Committee for the NFL Southern Peach District. He is responsible for building and managing the content on the GFCA Website. You can reach Jeffrey at millerj@marist.com
Treasurer
John McClellan, Warner Robins High School: John is the Head Debate Coach at Warner Robins High School, where has been for more than 25 years. In addition to his service on the GFCA Executive Commitee, John is a long standing committee member for the NFL Southern Peach District. John received the GFCA Coach of the Year Award in 1992. He is also a member of the GFCA Hall of Fame, class of 2007. You can reach John at John.McClellan@hcbe.net
To view the Area Map, please click here.
Area 1 Coordinator: Matt Bartula, Sequoyah High School
Area 2 Coordinator: DeAnne Varitek, Central Gwinnett High School
Area 3 Coordinator: Leslie Fagin, Griffin High School
Area 4 Coordinator: Laura LaChappelle, Jackson High School
Area 5 Coordinator: Bill Swafford, Lee County High School
Area 6 Coordinator: James Holt, McIntosh Academy