Georgia Center for Opportunity

Georgia Center for Opportunity
Basic facts
Location:	Norcross, Georgia
Type:	501(c)(3)
Top official:	Randy Hicks, President and Chief Executive Officer
Founder(s):	Richard and Barbara Gaby Foundation
Year founded:	1990
Website:	Official website

The Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Georgia. The organization describes its work as "[bringing] together the solutions that lift people from poverty. Our desire is that each person be given the opportunity to achieve their potential."

Background

The Georgia Center for Opportunity describes its vision as "vibrant communities where everyone can achieve their potential." The organization was earlier known as the Georgia Family Education and Research Council.

As of September 2025, the organization had the following mission statement:

“

Removing barriers to ensure that every person — no matter their race, past mistakes, or the circumstances of their birth — has access to a quality education, fulfilling work, and a healthy family life.

”

Leadership

As of September 2025, the following individuals held leadership positions at the Georgia Center for Opportunity:

• Randy Hicks, president and chief executive officer
• Eric Cochling, chief program officer and general counsel
• Kristin Barker, vice president of workforce solutions
• Kimberly Chalek, vice president of external affairs
• David Doverspike, vice president of finance and operations
• Joyce Mayberry, vice president of family
• Rebecca Primis, vice president of communications
• Jim Eckstein, executive vice president
• Joshua Crawford, director of criminal justice initiatives
• Jamie Lord, director of government affairs
• Erik Randolph, director of research
• Jody Wirtz, director of external affairs

As of September 2025, the following individuals sat on the Georgia Center for Opportunity's board of directors:

• Tim Bentsen, chairman
• Jackie Coleman
• Tim Doyle
• Rick Gaby
• Randy Hicks
• Tony Kitchens
• Kevin Loechl
• Al Petrangeli

Work and activities

Legislative and policy work

As of September 2025, the Georgia Center for Opportunity conducted research and policy work in the following four issue areas:

“

Family: At GCO, our work is rooted in the belief that human flourishing is measured not only by material well-being, but also by the sense of purpose and belonging that we’re all wired for. We are most likely to live meaningful, self-sufficient lives when we believe that we have inherent value as human beings and that our choices and actions matter to those around us. The first and most influential place we learn this? Our family. When families are strong and healthy, other building blocks for vibrant communities fall into place—public safety, better education options and outcomes for kids, and higher rates of employment and job opportunities. Education: Georgia’s education measures are more than data. Behind the numbers are real children who will be the next generation of mothers, fathers, business owners, employees, and voters in our state. A quality education is necessary for giving them strong, opportunity-filled futures. Solutions to boost math and reading proficiency and address chronic absenteeism can strengthen Georgia’s public schools. These are worthwhile steps to support students whose best—and often only—education option is the local public school. At the same time, Georgia leaders should be doing everything possible to remove financial and social barriers to quality education and empowering students and families to access the school of their choice. Prioritizing more opportunities over limited choices is the best way to prevent a lack of quality education from locking Georgia’s kids and communities into poverty. Public Safety: At its most fundamental level, public safety is the protection of the physical welfare of the general public. It’s government’s first responsibility, and something all humans want. When public safety exists, people can move about their neighborhoods without the fear of victimization. This freedom is a necessary condition for empowering vibrant communities where every person has opportunities to flourish. Work: Work doesn’t just provide a paycheck. It also provides dignity, a sense of purpose, and self-sufficiency. A growing and flourishing workforce is key to a better Georgia. But on far too many metrics, the Peach State continues to lag behind the rest of the country. The persistent workforce problem for many of our neighbors—including the homeless, disabled, those addicted to drugs and alcohol, released prisoners, single parents, or high-school dropouts—is real and growing. To put the issue fully in context, more than half-a-million Georgians are unemployed or unable to find full-time employment. Many of these individuals are ready to flourish if given the opportunity.

”

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope. Know of one we missed? Click here to let us know.

Affiliations

As of September 2025, the Georgia Center for Opportunity was one of five Georgia-based organizations affiliated with the State Policy Network.

Finances

The following is a breakdown of the Georgia Center for Opportunity's revenues and expenses from 2001 to 2023. The information comes from ProPublica.

Georgia Center for Opportunity financial data 2001-2023

Year	Revenue	Expenses
2001	$0.7 million	$0.7 million
2002	$0.6 million	$0.6 million
2003	$0.5 million	$0.5 million
2004	$0.7 million	$0.7 million
2005	$0.7 million	$0.6 million
2006	$0.8 million	$0.8 million
2007	$0.8 million	$0.9 million
2008	$1.2 million	$1.1 million
2009	$1.4 million	$1.4 million
2010	$1.4 million	$1.5 million
2011	$1.3 million	$1.4 million
2012	$1.4 million	$1.1 million
2013	$1.6 million	$1.6 million
2014	$1.3 million	$1.5 million
2015	$1.3 million	$1.5 million
2016	$1.7 million	$1.3 million
2017	$2.1 million	$1.6 million
2018	$2.2 million	$2.1 million
2019	$2.1 million	$2.4 million
2020	$2.1 million	$2.2 million
2021	$2.5 million	$2.5 million
2022	$3.7 million	$3.3 million
2023	$3.8 million	$3.9 million

See also

• What is an influencer?
• State Policy Network
• 501(c)(3)

External links

• Georgia Center for Opportunity official website
• Georgia Center for Opportunity on Facebook
• Georgia Center for Opportunity on X
• Georgia Center for Opportunity on Instagram
• Georgia Center for Opportunity on YouTube