Gene Bottoms is director of the Southern Regional Education Board's High Schools That Work program, the largest effort in the United States to improve high schools for career-bound students. Currently, over 950 high schools in 22 states are participants in the program, and many more are adopting the goals and key practices of the program.

Prior to his work with SREB, Mr. Bottoms served as executive director of the American Vocational Association, where he emphasized academics in vocational education. He has also served as director of Educational Improvement for the Georgia Department of Education, where he oversaw improvement efforts in the same field. Mr. Bottoms has also been a local school teacher, principal, and guidance counselor.