Lazzara succeeds Dr Randy Kluender to lead the orthodontic residency program into its second decade.
The Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO) announced that co-founder Christopher M. Lazzara has been named president of the school, effective August 1, 2026. Lazzara succeeds Dr Randy Kluender, who will transition to a role on the board of trustees as senior advisor to the president.
Leadership Transition and Program Growth
Lazzara and his father, Dr Gasper Lazzara, established GSO in 2014, welcoming an inaugural class of 18 residents in 2016. Since its inception, Lazzara has served on the board of trustees, participating on the executive committee and chairing the finance and facilities committees.
The institution has expanded to become the largest orthodontic residency program globally, according to a release. In February 2026, the Commission on Dental Accreditation approved a total program capacity of 150 residents.
“Chris has been part of every major decision this school has made since before we opened our doors,” says Dr Randy Kluender, senior advisor to the president and member of the board of trustees, in a release. “Since our founding, he has had the vision to see what GSO could become and the discipline to turn that vision into measurable results: more residents trained, more families served and more scholarships awarded every year.”
Professional Background
Outside of GSO, Lazzara is the founder and chief executive officer of MountainStar Partners, an investment firm he started in 2013. At MountainStar, he directs the investment committee, focusing on healthcare and real estate. He is also a governor-appointed trustee of the University of North Florida, a position he has held since 2020.
“He brings a rare combination of business discipline and a real commitment to expanding access to education and patient care,” says Dr Mauricio Gonzalez, chairman of the board of trustees, in a release. “As GSO begins its next chapter, the trustees wanted a leader who could build on what has made this school successful while growing its impact.”
Future Focus and Patient Impact
As president, Lazzara plans to focus on advancing education, strengthening the local healthcare workforce, and expanding access to affordable care.
“As we enter our second decade, our mission has not changed: education, service and expanding access to care,” says Christopher Lazzara, president of GSO, in a release. “GSO is a blueprint for how a community can train its own specialists while caring for the families who need it most, and our job now is to make it stronger and share it.”
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