Stephen Gay joins Bradford Prep as Executive Director and brings 30+ years of educational experience. Stephen is a graduate of NC State with a BS in Secondary Math Education. Stephen’s administrative training occurred at Appalachian State University, earning a Master’s in School Leadership, an EdS. in School Administration, and coursework towards his EdD.

Stephen’s educational journey has spanned over thirty years. He taught high school math at Hickory High and became an administrator with Hickory Public Schools and was the bus coordinator for the district. In 1999, Stephen helped open American Renaissance Middle School in Statesville as the first Principal. In 2007, ARMS was the first charter school in NC to merge with another charter to form American Renaissance School, which continues to thrive in downtown Statesville. In 2013, Stephen joined East Wake Academy as their Superintendent where he oversaw the growth of the school and six consecutive years of growth prior to the COVID Pandemic. With twenty-plus years in charter schools, Stephen has had the opportunity to work with and for so many great educators, but he is most proud of the many opportunities put in place for kids to find success.

Stephen has been married for thirty-one years and lives in Statesville. Stephen and wife, Kathleen both graduated from NC State and are both educators. They have three grown children.

Family is important to both of them, and they live by the motto "family first."