Meet the Team

Professional Staff

Dr. Randell E. Trammell

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Dr. Randell E. Trammell has long been involved youth development. He holds an undergraduate degree in Religious Education as well as a Master in Business Administration from Reinhardt University. In 2014, he completed his Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in organizational leadership and communication. That same year, after seeing a dire need for resources and support in the area of civics education in Georgia, he developed the concept of the Georgia Center for Civic Engagement. In 2017, Dr. Trammell officially launched the Center as a 501c3 nonprofit becoming our founder and President & Chief Executive Officer.

In October 2021, Dr. Trammell was recognized as one of Georgia Business Trend's "40 Under 40" award, which honors the state’s best and brightest leaders. Trammell was also recognized as the Bill Bolling Nonprofit Leader of the Year Award Recipient by TechBridge in 2021. In 2022, Dr. Trammell was appointed to serve as Chair of the Georgia Commission for Civic Education by Governor Kemp and was also awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award through Points of Light for his service in the community. In 2023, Trammell was selected as one of sixty participants from across the nation for Presidential Leadership Scholar program of the Johnson, Bush 41, Clinton, and Bush 43 Presidential Libraries.

Trammell serves as a member of Reinhardt University’s Board of Trustees, a member of the CivXNow national coalition, chair of Georgia’s Coalition for Civic Education, and serves as Georgia’s public representative member on the Board of Trustees for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Dr. Trammell is a visionary and passionate leader who is nationally recognized in youth civic education and development.

Email Randell at randell@georgiacivics.org.

Read his blog, Generation Civics.

BIO | Headshot

Dr. Angela Hargis

Chief Operating Officer |
Director of Mission Advancement

Dr. Hargis joined us in December of 2019 after retiring from a distinguished career in education. She served most recently as the principal of Westside Middle School (Whitfield County Schools) since 2013 until her retirement in December of 2019.

Email Dr. Hargis at angela@georgiacivics.org.

Christine Hartness, M.Ed.

Director of Educational Programs

Christine has a background in Political Science and Public Policy which she combines with a passion for civic engagement to educate students on civic duties. After several years teaching Government, Christine became involved in the creation of curriculum for Georgia's revamped Government and Public Administration pathway, ultimately piloting the program in Barrow County. Christine joined the Georgia Center for Civic Engagement as Director of Educational Programs in September 2023 in order to further support the mission of civic education.

Email Christine at christine@georgiacivics.org.

April Burel, M.Ed.

Coordinator of Administrative Services

April has been an educator for 25 years in various school districts in Georgia in both public and private schools. Her specialty is in Social Studies Education and Language Arts. She has a bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education and a master’s degree in Middle Grades Social Studies. April has been involved in the organization as a volunteer prior to join our staff. She is currently assisting the Georgia Center for Civic Engagement with educational trip planning/implementation and other administrative services.

Email April at april@georgiacivics.org