Advisory Board

Terrence James Ahearn

A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, Mr. Ahearn earned a B.A. in English from The Citadel in 1963 and was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force where he served for six years as a radar navigator, and flew 143 combat missions, on B-52 bombers. Subsequently, he earned a J.D. from Boston College School of Law where he was a member of the law review. He then joined Humble Oil & Refining (later Exxon Corporation), serving in various high-level positions during a career that spanned thirty years. He currently resides on Seabrook Island, SC.

David B. Bell

After graduating from The Citadel in 1971, Mr. Bell served for two-years in the U.S. Army. He then entered the University of Georgia School of Law from which he earned a J.D. in 1977. David practices law and frequently conducts legal seminars in Augusta, Georgia. He has served as Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Kiwanis Club and occupied similar positions of leadership in other civic organizations in his native Augusta.

Joseph K. Coffey

Mr. Coffey earned a B.S. in Business Administration from The Citadel and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina. He practices law in Manning, S.C., focusing primarily on real estate transactions and certain civil and family court litigation. Mr. Coffey serves on various civic and church related boards. His father, W.C. Coffey, Jr. is a 1963, graduate of The Citadel and his brother, W.C. Coffey, III, is a 1989, graduate of The Citadel.

Donald J. Doody

Mr. Doody graduated from The Citadel in 1973 with a B.A. in History. Subsequent to his graduation from the Citadel, he obtained a Masters of Public Administration degree from Florida Atlantic University in 1976 and a J.D. from Northern Illinois University in 1978. He resides and practices law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is currently President-elect of the Florida Municipal Attorney’s Association.

Ann J. Elish

Ms. Elish graduated from the Citadel with an MBA in 1986 and a Master's in Clinical Counseling in 2008. Ann has worked at the Westvaco/MeadWestvaco/KapStone paper mill in North Charleston for 33 years. Currently she is the Operations Manager, responsible for approximately 450 employees producing 2400 tons of paper per day. She serves as second vice chair on the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina. Ann i s a Disaster Mental Health volunteer with the American Red Cross. Ms. Elish served as an advisory member of the Citadel Board of Visitors from 1997 to 2000, was a member of the Citadel Business Network from 2002 to 2004 and has participated in several Citadel Graduate School advisory committees. From 2004 to 2007 Ann served on the Charleston Metro Chamber Education Foundation Board of Directors.

John W. Falkenbury

Mr. Falkenbury holds a bachelors degree in history from The Citadel and a masters degree in management from Webster University. A graduate of both the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, he served for more than twenty years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Upon leaving active duty, he became president and CEO of Five Oaks Nursing Center in Concord, North Carolina. He currently is the managing partner of the Falkenbury Family LLC, and president of the Stephen D. Falkenbury, Jr. Foundation. He is a member of numerous civic organizations in Charlotte.

Donald L. Fowler

A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Mr. Fowler earned a BA in psychology from Wofford College and an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky in political science. He began teaching at the University of South Carolina in 1964, where he continues as an adjunct professor of American Politics in the Department of Political Science.  Dr. Fowler is the Chairman of the Board of Fowler Communications, Inc., a public relations and governmental affairs firm. He served as Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party for nine years from 1971 to 1980, and as Chair of the Democratic National Committee in 1995 and 1996.  He is also a retired colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and a graduate of the U.S. Army War College.

Steven Josias

Mr. Josias has been a practicing Attorney in Florida for over thirty years. Originally from Massapequa, New York, he earned his B.A. in History at The Citadel and his J.D. from The University of Notre Dame. A U.S. Army veteran, he has served as Special Counsel to U.S. Senator Bob Graham, President of the Museum of Discovery and Science, and as a member of the Federal Judicial Nominating commission for Florida. He is listed in Who's Who of American Law.

Dr. B. Thomas Kays

Dr. Kays graduated from The Citadel in 1966 with a B.S. and he continued his academic career at the University of Iowa, achieving his D.D.S. and serving as president of his class. Following graduation from dental school, he joined the United States Air Force as a dental officer from 1970-1972 prior to opening a private practice where he is still active. Dr. Kays served on the dental school faculty of the Medical University of South Carolina from 1972-2008. He has played a dynamic role in the professional dental fraternity Psi Omega for the last 45 years and he is currently the executive director. Dr. Kays hold numerous professional honors and has endeavored in his career field by participating in state and professional associations. He is the former President of the South Carolina Dental Association and the South Carolina State Board of Dentistry. Dr. Kays has researched and published numerous articles and has held membership and leadership roles with the American College of Dentists as well as the International College of Dentists. In addition, Dr. Kays serves as a board member to the Bank of South Carolina West Ashley as well as the Trident Technical College Foundation. In addition to his dental career, he returned to the Citadel and graduated with a M.Ed. in clinical counseling in 1982. He is married to the former Claudia Johnson, of Aiken, South Carolina and they have three children and six grandchildren.

Angela D. Mack

Angela Mack is Executive Director and Chief Curator at the Gibbes Museum of Art.  She holds a BA degree in art history from Vanderbilt University and has completed post-graduate work at the University of Virginia, Tulane University and New York University.  Prior to her promotion in May 2008, she served as Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs.  During her tenure as curator for the Gibbes, Angela has installed approximately 350 exhibitions, 34 of which she organized showcasing original scholarship.  She also served as the principal art advisor for the reinstallation of the important collection at Charleston City Hall.

James F. Moseley

Mr. Moseley received his B.A. from The Citadel in 1958 and his J.D. from the University of Florida, College of Law, in 1961. He is Past President of the Jacksonville Bar Association and Past Chairman of the Florida Council of Bar Presidents, and the Florida Bar Admiralty Committee. He presently serves on the Advisory Committee on Local Rules for the Middle District of Florida.

Stacy L. Pearsall

Stacy Pearsall attended the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. During three tours in Iraq as an Air Force photographer, she twice won the National Press Photographers Association's Military Photographer of the Year competition. She also earned the Bronze Star Medal and Commendation with Valor for heroic actions under fire. Combat disabled and retired from the military, Pearsall works worldwide as a freelance photographer and educator, and is the Owner and Director of the Charleston Center for Photography. Her work has appeared in print and television media, including Time magazine, New York Times, CNN, and the BBC; been exhibited in numerous facilities across the United States; and been featured in the Oscar-nominated PBS production, Operation Homecoming. She works extensively with veterans on issues of importance to them working with veteran's rights groups and is a multi-medaled athlete, including gold, from the US Paralympic sponsored Wounded Warrior Games in 2010 and 2011.

Ron Plunkett

A native of Atlanta, GA, Mr. Plunkett received his Bachelor of Arts degree (Political Science) from The Citadel in 1964 and a Master of Arts degree (English) in 1996.  As a Citadel student, Mr. Plunkett was initiated into Phi Alpha Theta (History), Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science), and Sigma Tau Delta (English), and is believed to be the only Citadel graduate to be elected to all three honor societies as a Citadel student.  Mr. Plunkett began his military career upon graduation as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army and served in both Korea and Vietnam, among other assignments, from 1964 to 1968, attaining the rank of Captain in 1967.  He was also a member of the United States Army Reserve until 1972.  Ron started his professional career as a Management Trainee with Sea-Land Service, Inc. in 1968.  Sea-Land Service, Inc. was purchased in 1999 by Maersk Line, the world’s largest containerized steamship line, and Ron continued working in various capacities before retiring in 2009 as a Senior Account Executive.  Ron is a member of numerous civic organizations in the Charleston area.  He is married to Dr. Linda Muckenfuss Plunkett, a graduate of Emory University (BBA) and Georgia State University (MPA and Ph.D,) who was a Professor of Accounting at the College of Charleston for many years.  Linda is a past Chair of the Coastal Community Foundation and the Hollings Cancer Center (MUSC) Advisory Board. 

R. Cliff Poole

A retired Brigadier General in the U.S. Army Reserve, Poole earned a B.A. in English from The Citadel, and an MBA and Ph.D. in finance from the University of South Carolina. He also holds a diploma from the U.S. Army War College, a post-doctoral certificate from the London School of Economics and a certificate from the London Business School as well as an honorary doctorate of business administration from The Citadel. He was dean and professor of finance of the E. Claiborne Robbins School of Business and the Richard S. Reynolds Graduate School at the University of Richmond before returning to The Citadel in 1993 as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the college-and later serving as Twice Interim President and Board of Visitors Distinguished Fellow Finance. He has received numerous awards for his many important achievements in higher education and in the U.S. armed forces.  Currently, he is Executive Director of the Krause Center for Leadership and Ethics at The Citadel.

Jonathan A. Pope

Mr. Pope is a partner of Georgia's Hasty-Pope LLP, where he focuses his trial practice exclusively on personal injury matters, including wrongful death cases, automobile accidents, truck accidents, and other cases involving catastrophic injuries. A Citadel graduate in 1992, he received his JD from Georgia State University in 1995 prior to beginning his legal career at  the Atlanta insurance defense law firm of Chambers, Mabry, McClelland & Brooks (now Mabry McClelland). During his career, he has been the recipient of several awards and has membership in numerous professional organizations, and was named one of "Georgia's Elite" by Georgia Trend Magazine in 2009.

Tandy Clinton Rice, Jr.

Mr. Rice was born in Franklin, Tennessee and was graduated by The Citadel with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961 and subsequently served a three-year commitment in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command. Mr. Rice is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Top Billing International, a leading Nashville-based entertainment and marketing company specializing in world-wide booking and management of some of the most notable names in Country Music. A supporter of numerous civic groups and charities, he holds a Master Degree in Liberal Arts from Vanderbilt University, is a former President of the Country Music Association, a member of the North American Country Music Hall of Fame, and the founder of the fully endowed Rice Scholarship at The Citadel.

Artie Richards

Artie Richards is originally from Dalton, GA and moved to Charleston two years ago after living on the Georgia coast in St. Simons Island.  She graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA in Finance in 1989.  She formally worked at SunTrust Banks, Inc. as a Commercial Lender, Senior Recruiter, and eventually managed Employment for the Atlanta organization.  In addition, she worked for Wachovia Bank as the Manager of Employment for the Corporate Bank and Senior Recruiter.  She was also, Human Resources manager for epipeline, inc, an internet start-up company.  She has served on the boards of  Alice's House Children's Home, the Community Foundation of West Georgia, the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation. 

Frank B. Robards, III

Mr. Robards earned a B.A. in Political Science and an M.B.A. from The Citadel and a J.D. from The University of South Carolina. He is also a graduate of the United States Naval War College. Formerly a Senior Vice President with the First Citizens Bank Wealth Advisory Group, Mr. Robards is now the Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo in Charlotte, N.C. He also serves as a Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

John K. Sisk

Mr. Sisk graduated from The Citadel with a B.S. in Business Administration and from Emory University with an M.B.A. He has built more than fifty condominium communities in Atlanta, Tampa, and Jacksonville and is the founder and owner of his own company, American Shelter. He lives part of each year in Paris and is a promoter of international study.

Holcombe Thomas

Mr. Thomas earned a B.A. in history from The Citadel and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina. He taught and practiced law in Columbia, S.C. before entering the U.S. Foreign Service in which he served as a consular officer for 23 years with overseas postings in Korea, New Zealand, Japan and Hong Kong, as well as several tours in Washington. His decorations include the State Department's Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards. Most recently, he was Vice President of Broad Industrial Products, Inc., an export firm in Fairfax, VA.

Major General Francis Eli Wishart

General Wishart graduated from The Citadel, University of South Carolina, and Midlands Technical College. General Wishart's first assignment was at Fort Bragg with the 82nd Airborne Division. Overseas assignments were in Vietnam with the Military Assistance Advisory Group and the Special Forces. Other assignments included both command and staff positions with Second United States Army, Third United States Army, the 108th United States Army Reserve Training Division, 120th ARCOM and the South Carolina State Guard. Retired from Midlands Technical College, he served three years as South Carolina Military Department Homeland Defense Program Director. He serves on the boards of several civic, business and military organizations. He is also married to the former Diane Wolack and they reside in Columbia, South Carolina.

Advisory Board Commitments & Benefits

Time and Financial Commitments

Time: The School of Humanities and Social Sciences Board will meet three (3) times per year. In addition to meetings, Board volunteers will need to be willing to participate in events, personal calls, and cultivation of potential donors throughout the year. Term of service is two years, with an option to renew for two years.

Financial: Board members will be asked to show their personal commitment to the success of the School by committing to a $2,500 annual gift to the school through The Citadel Foundation.

Major Specific Responsibilities

1. Diligently attend Board Meetings, equipped with information on past meetings and current advancement activities.

2. Participate in all fundraising efforts on behalf of the School, providing advice and counsel on how to increase effectiveness of the development program.

3. Identify other top-level philanthropists and "open the door" for Citadel leadership and development staff where and when appropriate.

4. Work closely with other Board members to establish and maximize working relationships with other members and within the community at large.

5. Commit seriously to the work of the Board as a whole and to specific strategies and initiatives for the advancement of the School.

Benefits of Board Membership

Influencing the lives of the young leaders of tomorrow who are the future of our state and nation.

Interacting with prominent faculty and administrators of the School and The Citadel.

Interacting with other individuals of exceptional personal achievement and reputation.