Name: Kiel (‘Kyle’) Scates
Family: Husband: Ryan, Sons: Andy (8), Charlie (4), Pups: Waffles and Bingo
Hometown: Kennesaw, Georgia
Current Town: St. Simons Island, Georgia
What Years at UGA: 2007-2012
School/Degree: BSED, MED, Special Education
Profession: Director of Strategic Engagement for the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, or APBA – the professional home for behavior analysts. I lead initiatives that help our ABA professionals connect, grow, and feel supported through events, communications, and resources. That includes overseeing our annual convention, managing sponsorships and partnerships, and running membership campaigns that highlight the value of belonging to APBA. My focus is on creating experiences and opportunities that strengthen our professional community and advance the field.
No accolades of note but worth mentioning I’ve chaired the lower school Trunk or Treat committee for three years! Also, very proud to have served as the President and other board positions on the Georgia Association of Behavior Analysis (GABA). I was thrilled to work towards and see the bill for state licensure for behavior analysts pass during my time on the board.
Book: Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved – Kate Bowler (1), any Elin Hildebrand book, any Emily Henry book. I love to read, and I am always looking for my next book.
Magazine: Architectural Digest
Podcast: Good Hang with Amy Poehler, The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast
Instagram: @isabel_ladd_interiors (2), @katecbowler
Brand: Hunter Bell, Sea NY, Staud, Mother, J.Crew Factory
Fashion designer: Gosh … I don’t know but I love admiring beautiful pieces from YSL, Chanel (3), etc (from a far 😉
Interior designer: Ken Fulk, Isabel Ladd
Chef: Ford Fry (4) – from the food to the aesthetics, I love the entire experience of going to his restaurants.
Historical figure: Jane Austen
Quote: “I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles.” – Audrey Hepburn (5)
Describe Athens in five words or less: Vibrant, special, homecoming, young
Restaurants and bars: The Last Resort, Five Bar
Shops: Love to meander in and out of the shops downtown, Heerys
Athens/campus landmark: North Campus
Memory while in school: The summer before my junior year, I was an orientation leader. It was the best summer. I didn’t get into UGA out of high school and transferred in from Georgia Tech my sophomore year. I had major imposter syndrome. I was learning what it meant to be a UGA student as I was preparing to introduce new students to campus. It was a season of personal growth, and it also taught me fake it ‘til you make it and everyone belongs right where they are. I will be forever grateful for that experience.
Professor/class: Dr. Kevin Ayres, special education coursework
Gameday ritual/plan: Comfortable shoes and follow the Scates boys around
Tailgate Recipe: Chick-Fil-A Biscuit (wait to eat until it’s luke warm or cold)