Glenn F. Bender, Ph.D.
Dean of Academics
With a Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College and a Master of Arts and Doctorate in Philosophy and Educational Policy Studies from the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Bender brings extensive academic and administrative experience to the Board of Regents. During a 25 year career in secondary and higher education, he has served as Dean of Academics at the Academy at Swift River in Massachusetts, Director of Admissions at Blue Ridge School in Virginia, and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

Timothy Brace, M.C.
Headmaster
During his distinguished career over the past 25 years, Mr. Brace has served as Headmaster or Executive Director at several secondary boarding schools throughout the United States, inspiring a generation of students through his vision, innovation and educational leadership. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in working with young people and their families that is virtually unmatched, Mr. Brace holds a Bachelor of Arts from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Counseling from Arizona State University.

Andrew Coe, M.S., B.C.P.C.
Dean of Students
Mr. Coe, who has a long history of experience working with adolescents and families, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Furman University and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Kentucky. His work experience includes individual and group counseling as well as supervisory positions at both the secondary and collegiate levels. Most recently, Mr. Coe worked as an Assistant Director of Counseling in Massachusetts, where he was responsible for the oversight, development and supervision of both students and counselors.

Kelly Dunbar, M.A.
Dean of Admissions
With almost 20 years of experience working with adolescents, families, and educational consultants, Ms. Dunbar brings a wide range of knowledge and expertise to the Carlbrook admissions faculty. Over the course of her career, Ms. Dunbar has worked for nine years in counseling, seven years in secondary school admissions, and three years in counseling supervision. Ms. Dunbar holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Simpson College and a Master of Arts in Human Behavior from National University.

Jonathan Gurney, M.S.W., A.C.S.W.
Dean of Alumni and Transition Services
Mr. Gurney, who received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Social Work degrees from Indiana University, has over 20 years experience working with children and their families. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker he worked as an Outpatient Family Therapist before serving as the Program Director of a dual inpatient/outpatient adolescent program during his tenure at the Charter Behavioral Health organization. Most recently, Mr. Gurney served as Clinical Director of a licensed wilderness program for adolescents in the Pacific Northwest, where he was responsible for oversight of all clinical services.

John C. Henson, CPA
Dean of Administration
Mr. Henson, who holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University, began his career at Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc., where he was promoted to Associate Vice-President of the investment banking firm. After passing the CPA exam, Mr. Henson was hired as Treasurer, and later served as Controller, of Steeltec, LLC, an Atlanta-based manufacturing company, where he was responsible for the firm's accounting and audit review procedures, financial analysis and reporting, inventory management, and network administration.

Justin J. Merritt, M.A., M.S., J.D.
Dean of Faculty
A co-founder of Carlbrook School, Mr. Merritt has served as principal of Education Management Services, LLC for the past decade, and has worked with hundreds of students and their families nationwide during this time.  He has also pursued advanced study in a wide range of fields, including educational theory and policy,  negotiation and dispute resolution, and positive psychology. In addition to his baccalaureate work and subsequent graduate studies at Oxford University and the Université Paris I-Sorbonne, Mr. Merritt holds a Master of Arts in Education from Columbia University, a Master of Science in Applied Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School.

R. Grant Price, M.A.
Director of Development
After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina, Mr. Price earned his Master of Arts degree from California State University, focusing on the study and analysis of various educational models. Prior to co-founding Carlbrook School, Mr. Price worked as both a secondary school counselor as well as a Certified Educational Consultant at the Price Group in Columbia, SC, where he visited and evaluated hundreds of unique and innovative educational programs, conducted individual student evaluations and assessments, and identified appropriate educational environments for students nationwide. He is a former member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association.

Gillan Smith, Ph.D.
Dean of Advising
Dr. Smith received his Masters of Science in Counseling and Guidance and his Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Brigham Young University. He is a Licensed Psychologist, a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor. He has 20 years of counseling experience with adolescents and families. His former positions include Program Director for Turnabout Day Treatment Program, Clinical Supervisor for Norton Sound Behavioral Health and Adjunct Professor in the Clinical Psychology Department at the University of Alaska. Most recently Dr. Smith was the Clinical Director for Outback Therapeutic Expeditions as well as wilderness therapist for more than 200 adolescents and families.