Overview
Resource
The Forsyth County Board of Education is the governing body of Forsyth County Schools. The primary role of the Board is the legislation of school district policies, which are executed under the direction of the school superintendent. The Forsyth County Board of Education consists of five members who are elected by district to staggered, four-year terms. For 2025, Mike Valdes is Chairman and Wes McCall is the Vice Chairman. They meet monthly at the Forsyth County Board of Education and Professional Development Center at 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming. Meetings may be viewed on YouTube.
Board Members by District
- District #1 - Wes McCall
- District #2 - Trisha Hoyes
- District #3 - Dorian Usherwood
- District #4 - Chris Grimes
- District #5 - Mike Valdes
District #1 - Wes McCall
In 2001, Wesley married his wife Jakima, at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Roswell, GA. A year later, they purchased their first home in Forsyth County. Soon after, they had their only son, Ian, who currently attends Forsyth County Schools.
Ian’s kindergarten year began Wesley’s involvement with the Forsyth County School System. Starting with reading each week to the class and volunteering for Math groups, to becoming a mentor, to spear heading the Science Lab at Sawnee Elementary, Wesley was very involved at the school. This came to also include several years on the PTA Board and serving on the Local School Council for two schools.
Wesley’s involvement with student development has spanned many different avenues to include: church youth group, founder of the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) through North Fulton Leadership, working with the Georgia Department of Education to develop career path curriculum for the public safety industry, Boy Scout Leader, and he has served on several educational boards.
Wesley holds an undergraduate degree from Grand Canyon University in Christian Leadership and a graduate degree from Columbus State in Public Administration. Most weekends he spends time with his family watching his son play lacrosse, and every now and then squeezes in a round of golf. Wesley and his family attend Browns Bridge Church.
District #2 - Trisha Hoyes
Trisha has always been deeply invested in public education. Her undergraduate degree is in both elementary and special education, and she has a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. After graduating from college, she became an elementary classroom teacher. She continued to learn and grow as an educator and received a reading endorsement and became a National Board Certified Teacher. Trisha was very passionate about continuously improving her craft and reaching her students to make an impact. She was an educator for fifteen years, and the last two of those were in Forsyth County.
She and her husband, Scotty, have lived in Forsyth County for eleven years. A few years after having their first son, Trisha made the decision to step out of the classroom to offer more flexibility and time with her family. She then began a career in real estate. This new profession has given her the flexibility and time she wanted, but also, it gave her the opportunity to become a business partner with her son’s elementary school and serve on the LSC as both a parent and stakeholder. She continues her successful career as a realtor here in Forsyth County.
In her personal life, Trisha feels a great responsibility to always give back to others and the community. In 2018, Trisha and her husband made the decision to become a foster family with FaithBridge Foster Care. Today, they continue that journey by serving children from hard places. When not working, Trisha enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and volunteering at her family's church. She is looking forward to her role on the Board of Education and serving the families of our great county.
District #3 - Dorian Usherwood
Dorian Usherwood is an accomplished leader with 29 years of professional experience, excelling in consulting, big data, fintech, agency operations, creative strategy, brand development, and technology. His career includes roles at Accenture, Equifax, IBM, Synchrony, and The Home Depot, as well as in pharmaceutical marketing, government, and the non-profit sector. Dorian also founded and led a boutique business consulting firm, where he brought innovative ideas to life for a diverse range of clients. His professional journey reflects a commitment to enabling growth, empowering brands, and delivering impactful solutions.
In 2008, Dorian and his family moved to Forsyth County, Georgia, drawn by the community’s reputation as a great place to live and its exceptional educational opportunities. After relocating in 2016, they decided to return in 2021, confident that Forsyth County was the ideal environment for their children—a now 18-year-old son in college and a 14-year-old daughter—to thrive. As a family of four, they have traveled to over 17 countries, exploring new towns and dining at exceptional "holes-in-the-wall" restaurants. These experiences have enriched their lives and fueled their curiosity and global perspective.
Education has always been a cornerstone of Dorian’s journey. Coming from a family of educators—his father and two sisters—he has taught Sunday School for over 10 years, focusing on middle and high school students. He has also served on an international school and athletic board, driving initiatives to support youth development and academic excellence. His global experiences, including 20 years living in Europe across England, Germany, Switzerland, and Brussels, Belgium, have further shaped his belief in the value of diverse perspectives in education and life.
Dorian knows that his calling is local and abroad. He has traveled to Romania, South Africa, India, and Egypt to serve impoverished communities and share the love of Jesus Christ. Having coached recreational sports locally and abroad, he is committed to investing in the next generation and instilling teamwork, resilience, and confidence in young people. Whether mentoring on the field, serving in community roles, or traveling with his family, Dorian exemplifies a commitment to education, growth, and positively impacting the world around him.
District #4 - Chris Grimes
Chris Grimes has called Forsyth County home since moving from Kentucky in 2000, and it’s where he and his wife Lezlie, a North Forsyth High School graduate, are raising their four children. Two of their children are currently students in Forsyth County Schools, while their youngest two will be starting in just a few years. Chris graduated from South Forsyth High School, so his connection to the community runs deep.
Chris earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of North Georgia and a Master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. He’s a proud graduate of Leadership Forsyth and even participated in Youth Leadership Forsyth as a high school student. One of his proudest moments was being honored with the Charles F. Welch Citizenship Award by the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce.
With over fifteen years of experience in public safety, Chris has worked as a deputy sheriff, Forsyth County EMA Director, and 911 Director. Chris has been deployed throughout the State of Georgia to support disaster response, recovery and special events, including Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta. During Super Bowl LIII, Chris oversaw all communications for the All-Hazard Command Unit, which consisted of federal, state and local Bomb Disposal, K-9, tactical, weapons of mass destruction and counter-sniper teams. From 2007 to 2013, he served as the School Safety Manager for Forsyth County Schools, a role that sparked his passion for creating safe learning environments for students and staff.
As a member of the Forsyth County Board of Education, Chris is dedicated to making sure every student has access to an exceptional education in a safe and supportive environment. His love for this community and commitment to public service drive his work to help Forsyth County Schools continue to grow and succeed.
District #5 - Mike Valdes
Mike Valdes is a resident of Forsyth County and the father of 3 amazing Forsyth County Schools students in the Denmark cluster. In 2012, Mike and his wife of 17 years, Florencia, relocated to Georgia from their native Miami, FL and ultimately put down roots in beautiful South Forsyth because of our premiere school system, vibrant diversity, robust economy, and excellent Sheriff’s Office.
Mike and Florencia met almost 20 years ago at Alpha and Omega Church in Miami, FL where they attended Bible college and served as leaders and deacons in Youth Ministry, with a specific emphasis on troubled youth, substance abuse, and gang outreach ministries. For more than a decade, Mike had the humbling and rewarding opportunity to serve some of the neediest families and young people in the city. This experience changed his life forever and affirmed his commitment to the next generation.
Mike has always been a strong proponent of Public Education, himself a product of public schools, including as the first college graduate in his family. Over the years, Mike has served on numerous PTO, local school councils, volunteer task forces, and volunteered as a coach for recreational leagues. Mike is passionate about the Fine Arts, being a lifelong musician and having performed in Orchestras and Marching Bands. He is also passionate about STEM and Business Leadership. In Forsyth County, Mike participated as part of the community task forces developing our current strategic plan and has been very involved in community groups advocating for education.
Mike is a 22-year veteran of the Heavy Civil Engineering and Construction Management field where he specializes in the design and construction of major civil infrastructure projects. He has managed publicly funded projects of all sizes, including large, complex, multi-discipline teams of engineers and construction specialists, with individual budgets of around $500 million. He holds degrees from Miami Dade College and Florida International University in Civil Engineering and Construction Management and has dedicated his entire career to the design and construction of public works projects. Mike is credentialed by the Design-Build Institute of America as a Designated Design-Build Professional and has held licenses as a General Building Contractor and General Engineering Contractor.