About Richard Woods
Richard Woods 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, and went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree from Kennesaw State University and a Master’s Degree from Valdosta State University.
Woods has over 25 years of pre-k through 12th grade experience in public education. 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 brings a business background to the superintendent's position, having been a purchasing agent for a national/multi-national laser company and 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 27 years.
About Tyler Harper
As a 7th generation farmer and small businessman who still uses his grandfather’s tractor in the fields tending the same land that his family has had for over 100 years, Tyler Harper has a deep, personal appreciation for Georgia’s agricultural industry – and the millions of local growers it supports. Since 2013, he has worked to defend Georgia’s largest sector as a State Senator – where he currently serves in leadership on the Natural Resources, Public Safety, and Agriculture Committees. Additionally, Tyler currently serves as the Agriculture & Rural Development Vice-Chair of the Southern Legislative Conference. Over the years, he has championed our farms and farmers, worked to make them more competitive at home and abroad, and help cultivate the next generation of Georgia agriculture. As your next Agriculture Commissioner, Tyler will ensure our food supplies are kept safe, making sure that our families are fed. He will always put Georgia agriculture first and fight the overreach of Washington, D.C.
In addition to his work to protect agribusiness, Tyler Harper has also been a champion for conservative values. He supports President Trump’s America First policies. He worked with Secretary Sonny Perdue to deliver results for Georgia. Tyler strongly supports secure borders, fully funding our law enforcement, strengthening election integrity, the sanctity of life, and our God-given 2nd Amendment rights. For his efforts, Tyler has earned an “A+” rating from the NRA, has been rated 100% pro-business by NFIB, and was deemed a “Defender of Liberty” by the American Conservative Union.
Tyler Harper lives in Ocilla and is a lifelong resident of South Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering and holds an associate’s degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He is an active member in his local community and has helped lead organizations across the state – from his local rotary club, to the Georgia Young Farmers Association, to the UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. When he is not serving the state at the Gold Dome or working on the family farm, Tyler can be found enjoying the outdoors – or at Satilla Baptist Church, where he plays in the band every Sunday.
