Lovett welcomed six new trustees this summer. All will serve a four-year term, which started July 1, 2016. The new trustees are: Yetty Arp ’64, Sylvia Dick, Dr. Michael Hardee, Don Leebern III, Wright Mitchell ‘88, and John Staton ‘84. (Yetty Arp graduated from Lovett in 1964, Wright Mitchell graduated from Lovett in 1988, and John Staton graduated from Lovett in 1984. We always put the graduation year just after the name, i.e. Yetty Arp '64, in Lovett documents.)

Yetty Arp ‘64

Yetty Arp ’64 is a 4th generation Atlanta native and 3rd generation real estate broker, devoting 30 years as VP of Southeast Commercial Properties. Since 2010, Yetty has been working as an Associate Broker with Atlanta Fine Homes.

Yetty met her husband, Dr. Charles Arp ’62, while they attended Lovett. They are the parents to Lovett alums Kimberly ’88, Shaune ’94, and Meggan ’97; and grandparents to current Lovett student, Brooke Arp Babbit, grade 5.

At Lovett, Yetty served as President of the Lovett Alumni Association, Founder of Alumni Campus Shop (and received the Alumni Service Award for this), Lovett Fashion Show Chair ’91, Co-Chair Cook & Lovett More, and Our Defining Decade Capital Campaign fundraising volunteer.

“Becoming a trustee of the school is a great honor and privilege for me and provides the opportunity for a new level of service,” said Yetty. “I hope to provide historic institutional memory to the board, which will preserve Eva Edwards Lovett's vision and mission for her school: supporting the development of the whole child so that Lovett students may become people of character, living lives that make a significant contribution to the betterment of world,” she said.

Yetty holds a B.A. from Oglethorpe University.

Sylvia Dick

Sylvia Dick and her husband, Bruce, are the parents to Lovett alums: Laura ’88, Amy ’90, and Allison ’02; and the grandparents to current Lovett student, Charlotte Dalke, grade 9.

Sylvia is a committed community volunteer. At Lovett, Sylvia served as the Chair of the Lovett directory, president of the Fine Arts Guild (now known as Friends of the Arts), president of the Lovett Parent Association, and Lovett’s Pre-school president.

“I have enjoyed more than 40 years of watching the Lovett community shape my family,” said Sylvia. “There are opportunities for each student to discover and excel, whether it’s in academics, athletics, fine arts, or community service. Each student is taught to contribute to their community and it creates an environment that is welcoming and encouraging,” she said.

“I have served Lovett through many volunteer capacities over the years, from room mother, to LPA President, to fundraiser, so I feel it’s an honor and a privilege to be asked to continue that service as a trustee,” she continued. “I hope that my time on the Board will allow me to engage with the challenges that Lovett and its students face in today’s world and that I will be able to preserve and improve upon the Lovett experience for both current and future students,” Sylvia said.

Sylvia attended the University of Georgia.

Michael Hardee, MD

Dr. Michael Hardee is a cardiologist at Wellstar Cardiovascular Medicine and the Director of Wellstar Douglas Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

At Lovett, Dr. Hardee has served as a True Blue 1926 Society Committee Member volunteer,   Parent Grade Representative 2014-15, mentor in the summer medical internship program, an Anatomy & Physiology guest lecturer, and Multicultural Parent Council member.

“Lovett's mission statement closely aligns with our family's goals, specifically those of lifelong learning, character growth, and philanthropy,” Dr. Hardee said. “We have learned through Lovett that personal growth is perpetual and is a result of commitment, service, and discovery. As a trustee, I look forward to serving as a liaison to our community and campaigning for Lovett's goals. I am excited to work with fellow trustees and to compliment the ongoing leadership and stewardship of the Board. I am eager to collaborate with and learn from a dynamic group of community leaders,” he said.

Dr. Hardee and his wife, Debbie, are the parents to Lovett alum, Madison ’15, and current Lovett student, Michael, grade 10.

Dr. Hardee received his doctorate of medicine from the University of Florida College of Medicine.

Don Leebern III

Don Leebern is President of Georgia Crown Distributing Co. and Chair of J & L Ventures LLC.

Don and his wife, Stacey, are the parents to two Lovett students: Lily, grade 12 and Lawson, grade 7.

“I have always been and continue to be, impressed by the strong sense of family that exists at Lovett,” Don said. “Having moved from out of town seven years ago, Lovett truly served as an anchor for our family. Serving on the Board of Trustees at Lovett is an honor for me and an opportunity to give something back. Just to be a part of the legacy of good stewardship that has obviously been a hallmark of the Lovett Board Trustees would be accomplishment enough. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to serve,” he continued.

Don was a member of Lovett’s New Parent Steering Committee during the 2009-10 school year.  

He holds a B.A. from the University of Georgia.

Wright Mitchell ‘88

Wright Mitchell ’88 runs his own law firm, Mitchell Law, specializing in helping individuals and business owners with a wide variety of legal matters.

Wright is an Atlanta native who attended Lovett from pre-kindergarten through graduation. Since graduating from Lovett, Wright has been active in the Alumni Association by participating in fundraising call-a-thons, volunteering at Run ‘n Lovett, and serving two terms on the Alumni Executive Board. In 2014, Wright and his wife, Antonia, served as co-chairs of the New Parent Capital Campaign. Wright also served as a co-chair of the Alumni Capital Campaign.

“Lovett has been a constant presence in my life for 41 years as a student, alumnus, and now parent,” said Wright. “When Lovett invited me to join the Board, I accepted on the spot. I grew up with parents who instilled in me the importance of serving the community. There is not a more important community I can serve than the Lovett community. Lovett has given me so much over the years and I am honored and excited to be able to continue to give back,” he said.

Wright and Antonia are the parents to two Lovett students: Harrison, grade 5, and Alexia, grade 3.

Wright holds a B.A. from University of South Carolina and a law degree from Emory University.

John Staton ‘84

John Staton ’84 is President of Concepts Sport, the leading sports licensed loungewear and sleepwear apparel company in the United States.

John and his wife, Maggie, are the parents to three Lovett students: John, grade 12, Hailey, grade 9, and Catherine, grade 7.

John has served on Lovett’s Strategic Planning Committee, True Blue Annual Fund volunteer, and as a 1926 Society Committee member.

“My Lovett experience helped shape me into the person that I am today,” said John. “The educational foundation I received at Lovett has served me well and gave me a distinct advantage among my peers in college and beyond, which has enabled me to strive for and reach my goals. Without this solid foundation and head start, I would not be the person I am today. As a board member, I would like to continue to push for excellence at Lovett while making sure that the school stays true to its core, educational mission.”

John holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.