James "Jamie" H. Griffin has been selected by the Episcopal Collegiate School board of trustees to be Head of School, effective July 1.
Griffin, who succeeds David Perkinson in the leadership role, has been Head of the Upper School at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin Tenn., since 2015.
At Battle Ground Academy, Griffin helped manage the implementation of a four-year entrepreneurial leadership program, as well as leading the development of a learning center, an international student program and an expanded four-year college counseling program. He is also credited with enrollment growth, including an improved retention rate of eighth graders choosing to move to the academy's high school grades.
Evidence of Griffin's care for students, passion for teaching and learning, dedication to professional growth, strong leadership skills, and his work ethic were cited by the Episcopal Collegiate trustees in the public announcement Friday of his selection.
That evidence included comments from former supervisors, including his former commanding officer in the Marines who described Griffin as the "most inspirational leader he has ever met."
Before working at Battle Ground Academy, Griffin spent five years at The Haverford School in Haverford, Pa., as an Upper School history teacher, faculty adviser to the student-led Honor Council, and varsity wrestling coach. He previously taught Upper School history and served as Form Dean of Students at his alma mater, The Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, Pa.
Griffin is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a commissioned officer for six years with the U.S. Marine Corps, rising to the rank of captain. He served in the U.S. war in Iraq. He was the recipient of the 2004 Navy and Marine Association Junior Officer Leadership Award for Marine Forces Pacific.