Georgia District Governor
Barry Gardner

Club: Fairfield-Villa Rica

Barry Gardner was born in Kettering, England on March 9 1946 to an English Mother and an American Father, a U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. As a proud “Air Force Brat” he traveled over the world attending schools in Virginia, England, Kansas, England again, where he attended three High Schools on military bases near Oxford, London, and Cambridge. He graduated from High School in Virginia in 1964.                
 
He attended the Virginia Military Institute 1964-1966, received a Bachelor in Business Administration from Columbus State University, Columbus GA in 1975 and received an MBA from University of Scranton, Scranton, PA in 1979.
He served on Active Duty in the U.S. Army 1966-1990, Commanding at Company and Battalion level with assignments in Vietnam, Germany, Turkey, and the United States.  He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in July 1990.
He then worked as a Project Manager for L3 Communications for 18 years, based out of Ft. Lee, VA and Ft. McPherson, GA.
He retired on March 28, 2008 at Ft McPherson and resides at Fairfield Plantation, Villa Rica, GA with his wife Gloria.
 
He has three children, Michael a Computer Systems Program Manager with Honeywell Systems in Chester, Virginia, Gavin a Major  General on Active Duty with the US Army as the Commanding General 8th Theater Army Sustainment Command, US Army Pacific Command in Hawaii, and Noelani a Juvenile Court Judge and Attorney in Carrollton, Georgia.
 
He is a Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Fairfield-Villa Rica, Past Lt Governor of Division 12, Past Chair of the Past Lt Governors’ Association, served as President of the Georgia District Foundation Board, a member of the District Finance Committee, Chair of the District Service Project, He has been a Kiwanian for 17 years.
 
He is a past member of the Fairfield Property Owners Association Board of Directors (served 7 years) and presently Chairman/Editor of the Fairfield Community monthly newsletter.  He is also Past President of the Georgia Council of the Military Officers Association of America, and current President of the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park Association

2025-2026 Georgia Governor Goals and Vision

I am privileged to serve the Georgia District of Kiwanis International as Governor for the 2025-2026 Kiwanis year.
I am looking forward to working with all of you, and the great team of District Officers and Chairpersons, to continue the outstanding success of Kiwanis in Georgia.

Our other officers for this year, Governor-Elect Ed Searcy, Vice Governor Debbie McCraken, and Immediate Past Governor David Simmons stand ready to provide the leadership and continuity to ensure our success.  At the Division level, our Lt Governors are excited to assist the Clubs in their Divisions as they move ahead.  Club Presidents are challenged with achieving the goals and objectives set for this year.  The Presidents and Club members are not alone in this task.  We all make up a team of dedicated Kiwanians improving the world one child and one community at a time.

Kids and Communities need Kiwanis. My theme this year is KIDS---"Kiwanis Is Doing Something”.

We want the communities in Georgia to know that if there is a concern, issue, or challenge, concerning kids—KIWANIS IS DOING SOMETHING.

We are the go-to organization when it comes to making a positive impact in the lives of children.  We know that, Our communities need to know that.

Spread the word.  It is good for us, plus increasing visibility in the community will result in increased interest in Kiwanis and potentially increasing membership.
 
In order to accomplish our mission, we need members, “boots on the ground”.  We are all members of the membership committee.  Our challenge is for all of use to bring in a new member. My Challenge is to start, at least 5, new Clubs this year. The District Membership, Growth and Retention Committee is here to assist.  They will work with you to meet this challenge.

​Increasing our SLP is also to our advantage.  The more young people we expose to the tenants of Kiwanis, the better it is for our communities and the children.  To that aim, We have a goal of starting at least 8 SLP’s in the District.  Let’s make that happen!
 
Gloria and I are honored to serve our Kiwanis Family.  As we participate in our meetings, Inter-clubs, projects, Rallies, and Conferences - remember we are a family all working together to carry out the objectives of Kiwanis.