The Rockdale Rotary Club will be hosting Georgia Superintendent Richard Woods as its keynote speaker on Wednesday, July 29, 7:30 a.m., at Rockdale Medical Center.

Woods was elected to state superintendent in 2014.

He was born in Pensacola, Florida and while growing up in a military family, lived in California, Hawaii and Virginia before moving to Georgia. He graduated from Fitzgerald High School in south/central Georgia and went on to receive a Bachelor's Degree from Kennesaw State University and a Master's Degree from Valdosta State University.

Woods was a high school teacher for 14 years, serving as department chair and teacher mentor. During his tenure, he was also selected as Teacher of the Year. For eight years Woods served in various administrative roles such as assistant principal, principal, curriculum director, testing coordinator, pre-k director, and alternative school director.

Woods also worked as a purchasing agent for a national/multi-national laser company and was a former small business owner.

He and his wife Lisha, a retired 30-year educator, are long-time residents of Tifton and have been married for 24 years.