Mr. Mohamad Issa, a first generation immigrant, father and successful businessman was driven to provide the community with an educational experience that focused on culture, language, character education and provide students and their families with a safe and welcoming learning environment. From his own experience as a father, he helped found Central Academy in Ann Arbor. This was one of the first charter schools in Ann Arbor and it ultimately evolved into a movement with the opening of Global Educational Excellence (GEE) in 1998. Many communities were facing similar challenges with the educational options available to them. GEE academies are home to over 4,500 students and 500 teachers, administrators and staff across fourteen campuses located in the United States and seven additional campuses overseas.