Over the past 40 years, Rick Brown has done it all. From teaching to coaching to serving as principal and chief operations officer for Dawson County Schools, Brown is ready to settle into retirement this summer. Brown and his wife, Angie, and children Lindsey, Grant, Laura and Gavin moved to Dawsonville in 2002 after he retired from education in Alabama where he served as a physical education teacher and head football coach for 16 years. “It’s been a great place. We love Dawson County,” Brown said. “I’ve been fortunate to be in some very good places and the people make the place.” When he came to Dawsonville, Brown was named principal of Dawson County High School in 2002 where he served until 2007 when he transitioned to the central office. He oversaw curriculum before taking on the role of chief operations officer, overseeing departments like school safety, transportation, facilities, nurses and nutrition.