Deedra Hughes, President, Hughes Media, Inc., Board President

Since 2016, Deedra Hughes has served as the President of the Board of Directors. Deedra is the founder of Hughes Media, a digital marketing agency, launched in Atlanta in 2000. Deedra has been involved with the school since its establishment in 2007, when she offered the services of her agency. The school has continuously used these services since this time, including the design of a complete image package, website and all of our SEO. She is a member of the following professional organizations: Vistage, the Atlanta Marketing Association, and the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization. Deedra joined the board in 2013.

Manny Arora, Partner, Arora Law Firm, LLC


Manny is currently a Partner at Arora Law Firm, LLC and was a former adjunct professor at Georgia State University School of Law. As one of the most recognized names in criminal defense and sports law in the Southeast, Manny Arora brings structure and analytics to The Board. Manny continues to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces as a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, where he also serves as a monthly columnist for the USAF publication, The Minuteman.  Manny is also the parent of a Cumberland student. He has served on The Board since 2009.

Mable Curtis, Community Leader 


Mable Curtis was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Mable worked for IBM for over twenty-five years in a variety of leadership and customer-centered roles. She retired in 2017. Mable is an active volunteer and has worked with several organizations including the Women and Children Crisis Center where she facilitated the spread of awareness of domestic violence, assisted domestic violence victims, and supported impoverished families and teen moms. Mable is an active church member and believes strongly in the importance of family and service. Mable and her husband Harley have been married for over thirty years and have six beautiful children. Mable joined Cumberland’s Advisory Board in 2020 and transitioned to the Board in July 2021. We are thrilled to have her as a member of our Cumberland family.

Jeff Genthner, Senior Vice President & General Manager, FOX Sports South

Jeff is the Senior Vice President for Fox SportsSouth and responsible for all Fox sports television in the Carolinas and Tennessee which includes sports production, marketing, advertising sales and rights negotiations. In addition to Fox, Jeff worked for the Olympic Committee and brings to Cumberland a fresh perspective on education and entry into the workplace for our students. An innovative thinker, Jeff brings opportunities for advancement and promotion of Cumberland. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and an EMMY Award winner. Joining the board in 2017, Jeff serves on the marketing and fundraising committee.

Robin Howell, Founder, Crimson Capital

Robin Howell is one of the founders of Crimson Capital Corp., an international financial consulting/management company operating in 16 countries. She currently serves as the Director of Finance and Operations. She previously served as Director of Finance for Tigera Group, a publicly traded company, (formerly Fortune Computer). She has over 30 years of experience in financial analysis, operations and corporate governance. She holds a B.S. in Business and Accounting from University of South Carolina. Robin joined the board in 2014.

Michael Laura, Portfolio Manager & Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch

Michael Laura has spent 25 years providing wealth management advice and guidance to families across the nation and is currently employed with Merrill Lynch. Michael has had the unique opportunity to see Cumberland grow from its inception and has been closely tied to the school through his wife and Cumberland’s CFO, Valerie Laura. Michael earned both a Bachelors degree in Finance from the University of South Florida and a Masters degree in Finance from The College for Financial Planning. Michael joined the board in November 2020 and will help guide Cumberland’s finance committee.

Debbi Scarborough, Founding Director, Cumberland Academy of Georgia

Debbi is the guiding force behind the origination of Cumberland Academy of Georgia.  Debbi was the president of Kreisler and Associates, LLC for over 35 years. She uses her leadership skills every day as Cumberland’s Head of School.  Debbi served as the school’s first board president and was also an active board member of the March of Dimes for over 15 years.

Matthew Scarborough, Scarborough & Associates

Matthew’s responsibilities are to ensure the Board is structured to best utilize the experience and skills of our outstanding board members. Matthew directs Cumberland Academy of Georgia in property and liability insurance matters, as well as 401k, Health, Life and Disability benefits.  Matthew is a co-founder of Cumberland and has proudly served on the board since the origination of the academy in 2007.

Michael Stern, President, Stern Consulting, LLC

Michael Stern comes to Cumberland with extensive experience with start up entities. He co-founded Lamon & Stern in 1991, a broker dealer specializing in the 401k’s of large privately held companies. He is currently the president of Stern Consulting, a consulting firm that assists start-up companies. He also serves as the Chief Financial Officer of 4 Seasons Landscape Group which is one of the largest  landscape companies in Atlanta. Mike is currently an industry arbitrator for FINRA, the self regulatory agency for the financial industry. He served four terms as a board member of the Standard Club. A graduate of Tulane University, Mike is a published author having written six reference books on early Disneyanna and Beatles memorabilia. Cumberland welcomed Mike to the board in 2016.

Matthew Tanner, CEO, Keydabra


Matthew Travis Tanner is the CEO of Keydabra, a leading AI software company that improves digital, social and mobile user engagement and increases conversions. Prior to that, he served as the Director of Endowments for the Woodruff Arts Center. He is a results-driven analytical leader with broad expertise. He has chaperoned over $1 billion in assets over the past decade and oversaw a $400 million endowment fund. He brings a wealth of expertise in data analysis, fundraising, financial reporting, asset management, & marketing. He has served on the Leadership Councils of the American Lung Association and the American Transplant Foundation. As an avid arts supporter, he currently serves on the Board of the Flux Projects, which produces public art projects throughout Atlanta.

Valery Voyles, Chairman/CEO, Ed Voyles Automotive Group

Valery Voyles is the Chairman/CEO for the Ed Voyles Automotive Group which operates six stores in the metro Atlanta area.  An Atlanta icon, Ed Voyles Automotive Group has been in business for over 60 years.  Valery’s leadership skills and experience with business and non-profit organizations have contributed greatly to Cumberland. Her community involvement helps our voice in the community, and Valery’s experience with other educational institutions brings fresh ideas to Cumberland. She is an active board member for several Atlanta boards such as the Shepherd Center Foundation and ArtsBridge Foundation.  Valery has served on Cumberland’s board since 2007.

Richard “Rich” Wendlek, Former Head of School at Swift School


Richard “Rich” Wendlek served as Head of School at Swift School in Roswell, Georgia for over 10 years. He possesses a wealth of experience in education, parenting, family development, and strategic planning. Rich also founded a private-independent college preparatory school in the Tampa Bay area called Academy at the Lakes. He is an author and public speaker and he continues to mentor and share his expertise in education, learning differences, and family dynamics. Rich joined the Cumberland’s board in 2019 and serves on both the facilities committee and fundraising and marketing committee.