Dr. Echols received his dental degree from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, where he graduated 1st in his class. He is a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society as well as an Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity Awardee. Following dental school, he served as Chief resident in a general practice residency program at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia. He later served as Dental Department Head on a United States Navy amphibious vessel, where he was awarded a Navy Achievement Medal. Dr. Echols received his certificate in orthodontics from Howard University.

In addition to being a Board eligible candidate for the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Echols is a member of the American Dental Association, the Southern Association of Orthodontists and the American Association of Orthodontists.

Dr. Echols has been married to his wife, Dr. Dana Harris-Echols, for over 19 years. He is a Georgia native. He enjoys singing, kayaking, bowling and keyboard.