Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient 2024: Scott Whitehead '83

Mr. Scott Whitehead ’83 is a businessman, volunteer and author. He serves as President and CEO of Whitehead & Associates and Chateau Energy, both of which are in the electrical industry. Among many industry achievements and awards, Whitehead & Associates has been named  among Atlanta’s “Best Places to Work” and “Top 10 Healthiest Employers.” He is also a proud Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School alumni and parent of alumni (Ashley ’19 and Peyton ’17). Mr. Whitehead was recently honored as the 2024 recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award at the annual State of the School luncheon on Wednesday, April 10.

“It’s an incredible honor to win this award. I represent a group of peers versus just myself. Many of my peers from HIES are equally if not more qualified to receive this honor” Mr. Whitehead said.

Considered a “HIES Pioneer,” Mr. Whitehead attended Holy Innocents’ before the Upper School was established in 1991. Beginning his HIES career in 1969, Mr. Whitehead reflects fondly on his time here. He will gladly tell you a favorite story about how a curious third-grade version of himself pulled the fire alarm. Not out of disobedience, but rather curiosity, and the loving, patiently correcting results of the event.

“Holy Innocents’ taught me a lot about life through its family atmosphere and caring teachers. Niki Simpson was my drama teacher and her husband, David Simpson, was my English teacher both in seventh grade. All these years later, they were sitting at my table for the awards ceremony! When I brought Peyton to his [primary school] campus visit, there were still six of my teachers actively teaching at HolyInnocents’. It has always been a great family atmosphere.”

After his time at HIES, Mr. Whitehead graduated from Riverwood High School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Commercial Business Administration from The University of Alabama.

Mr. Whitehead has a passion for supporting the communities where he lives and where his companies do business. His companies have a “Volunteer Time Off” program where employees are encouraged to donate up to forty hours a year in paid time off to assist at a charitable organization of their choice. Mr. Whitehead’s personal community engagements include volunteering at HIES as a sports team leadership coach and as the former president of the Touchdown Club and the Athletic Association. He was a youth sports coach and on the leadership team at Northside Youth Organization. He led the Confirmation class at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church for over seventeen years. Today, he also leads several youth leadership bible studies. He has served on the board for Mountain Top Boys Home, and on numerous other civic boards and associations. His years of experience and belief in the importance of mentoring kids and young adults inspired his recent book, "Pillars of Support: Lessons to Help Parents and Mentors Form Trusting Relationships with Kids That Last a Lifetime," published in 2022.

“For me, it’s always about from God to me, from me to others. We’re here to live a life that’s a light for others. If it wasn’t for the foundation this school gave me at a young age, my parents Pat and Lucinda Whitehead sending me to HIES, and teachers who are like family like Niki and David Simpson, I would not be doing the things I do today. Peyton and Ashley going here resulted in the same foundation for life success.”

With Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School celebrating its 65th anniversary later this fall, Mr. Whitehead believes the school continues to build a legacy built on family and leadership.

“The most important part is how many lives [HIES] has affected over all these years, and how many memories it’s created with so many families. Now to look at how many generations have come back to this school, it’s just incredible what they originally thought way back when the school first started and to see how far it’s come. Holy Innocents’ is a special place that develops people into productive leaders who end up giving back to society.”