ATLANTA, GA – The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jason L. Branch as its new Executive Director, effective November 1, 2025. With a distinguished career in educational leadership and a deep commitment to public service, Dr. Branch brings a wealth of experience, vision, and integrity to this vital role.
Dr. Branch is no stranger to Georgia’s education community. For 13 years, he served as Superintendent of the highly successful Oconee County School System, where his leadership was marked by innovation, excellence, and a steadfast dedication to student success. Prior to that, he served as principal at South Forsyth High School and Chapel Hill High School, earning respect and recognition for his ability to inspire teams and drive meaningful progress.
A proud alumnus of the University of Georgia, Dr. Branch holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UGA, as well as Specialist and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Educational Leadership from The University of Southern Mississippi. His commitment to leadership development is evident through his participation in prestigious programs such as the 2017 class of Leadership Georgia. Dr. Branch has held numerous leadership roles at both the state and national levels, including serving as President of the Georgia School Superintendents Association, and as a Board Member of the Georgia Association of Educators and the American Association of School Administrators. He has served on the TRS of Georgia Board of Trustees, as Vice-Chairman and a member of both the Investment and Joint Management Committees. In his most recent role as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for TRS, Dr. Branch deepened his commitment to the system, its members, and employers – championing operational excellence and strategic service delivery across the organization.
His contributions to education have been recognized with several honors, including being a three-time finalist for Georgia’s Superintendent of the Year, the 2019 GSSA Bill Barr Leadership Award, and the 2023 University of Georgia School of Education Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Branch has also presented extensively on topics such as leadership development, strategic planning, technology, and instruction.
As Dr. Branch steps into his new role, TRS members can be assured that the system’s legacy of excellence will continue. Under his leadership, TRS will remain committed to the high standards of service and stewardship that members have come to expect. Dr. Branch brings a forward-thinking approach that embraces innovation while maintaining the prudence and care essential to the administration of retirement benefits. Members can be assured that they will continue to receive the same high-quality service, thoughtful management, and unwavering dedication to their financial security that have long defined TRS.
While Dr. Branch’s professional accomplishments are impressive, he considers his greatest achievement to be his role as husband and father. He and his wife Catherine are the proud parents of Abby and Jake.
We welcome Dr. Branch with great enthusiasm and look forward to a future that honors our past, embraces innovation, and continues to serve Georgia’s educators with excellence.
About TRS:
The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to eligible public-school teachers and other educational personnel in Georgia. TRS is committed to providing secure and sustainable retirement benefits to its members and managing the System's assets with prudence and care.