Ms. Diana Barr
Diana Barr is an Operating Partner with One Rock Capital Partners, LLC, a private equity firm located in New York, Los Angeles and London. At One Rock, Diana leads global talent strategy, executive staffing, succession planning, diversity, executive assessment, employment branding and strategic sourcing for One Rock and its portfolio companies.
Prior to One Rock, Diana was Head of Executive Staffing for The Boeing Company where she was a close advisor to the Executive Council, Senior Leaders and portfolio companies regarding talent acquisition, talent management, compensation, assessments, selection, staffing, referencing, leadership development, employment branding and succession planning.
Previous to Boeing, Ms. Barr was the Head of Talent Acquisition, Executive Search, Employment Brand and Social Media for W.W. Grainger, Inc. a leading industrial and eCommerce company. There, she led the global development, design, and delivery of executive talent acquisition, diversity strategy, assessments, social media and employment branding.
Early in her career, Ms. Barr worked for Marriott International and top-tier executive search and private equity firms. She specialized in recruiting C-Suite executives, Senior Management and Board of Directors/Trustees.
Diana is a member of the President’s Club of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. She is also on the Advisory Council for Harvard Business Review and on the Recruiting Leadership Council for Gartner. She has been involved in numerous not-for-profit organizations and is currently a Member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago Women’s Board, Member of Loyola Academy’s Parent Organization and Second Century Committee. She is also the mother of Cadet Zoe Crecos (Class ‘25), a Marketing and Business Development Major and Member of the Regiment Band and Pipes.
Ms. Diane Biagianti
Ms. Diane Biagianti is an independent director for indie Semiconductors, a publicly traded automotive company focused on developing innovative, high-performance and energy-efficient technology for advanced driver assistance systems, user experience and electrification applications. She also currently serves as senior vice president and general counsel for Glaukos Corporation, a publicly traded medical technology and pharmaceutical company focused on novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders and retinal disease. Prior to joining Glaukos in 2020, Ms. Biagianti was chief responsibility officer for nine years at Edwards Lifesciences, a global leader in patient-focused medical innovations for structural heart disease and critical care and surgical monitoring, responsible for global ethics and compliance, corporate sustainability and information security. Previously, she was with Advanced Medical Optics from 2002 to 2009, serving in various leadership positions, including as senior vice president and general counsel, and division vice president, legal section head upon Abbott Laboratories’ acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics in 2009 until 2011. Earlier, from 1997 to 2002, she served as vice president and assistant general counsel for Experian Information Solutions, Inc. She has also worked as a labor and employment attorney for O’Melveny & Myers LLP and a senior accountant for M.J. Seby & Associates, Ltd., CPAs.
Ms. Biagianti earned a juris doctorate from Cornell University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arizona. She currently serves on the Audit and Governance Committees for Human Options, a non-profit organization supporting lives free from fear and domestic violence. From 2009 to 2021, she served as a board member and was Board President from 2019 to 2020 for this non-profit organization. She previously served as a member of the Orange County Bar Association Corporate Committee, and a board member of the Constitutional Rights Foundation. Ms. Biagianti is the recipient of PwC award for Leadership in the Advancement of Ethics in the medical device industry, the Orange County Anti-Defamation League Marcus Kaufman Jurisprudence award, and the Warren Christopher Values award.
Ms. Claire Bilby
Claire Bilby has held numerous hospitality roles in her career with Hertz and Disney Parks and Resorts. Her current role is Senior Vice President of Emerging Businesses for Disney Signature Experiences. Responsible for Storyliving by Disney™ – master-planned communities intended to inspire residents to foster new friendships and pursue their interests.
Known as an inspirational and innovative leader, she has a passion for assisting new leaders and students who are starting out in their careers.
Bilby has served on numerous industry boards including Visit Florida, Orange County Tourism Development Council (Florida), California Tourism Commission, and is thrilled to personally join the advisory board for Bakers School of Business.
Bilby grew up in Arizona and is a graduate of the University of Arizona. She lives in Orlando, Florida.
*Mr. Tony Brevard
Principal, Bank Nucleus/7(a) Funding Group
tbrevard@7aFunding.com
Tony Brevard is the Principal of Capital Nucleus – a boutique lending entity which serves as “the outsource source for banks” in addition to creating loan products for otherwise hard to serve client models. He has 30+ years of experience in the banking industry. His cadre of products include:
- 7(a) Funding Group, LLC (“7(a) Funding”) – An SBA loan shop that serves as the Business Development arm for several community banks around the country, 7(a) Funding provides loan volume to these banks from several different industries. In addition to financing other brands, 7(a) Funding Group is the largest SBA loan source for Allstate Insurance agency acquisitions in the United States.
- Blue Oceans Finance – Blue Oceans is a bespoke funding structure for the “hard to place” parts of finance: Purchase Order financing, bridge/construction loans on smaller commercial deals, airport concessions financing, etc. Blue Oceans creates and captures uncontested market space, thereby making competition irrelevant (demand is created rather than fought over). It is powered by SNB Bank.
- The SBA Loan Exchange – SBA Loan Exchange is the “stock exchange” for SBA loan opportunities in need of funding. It is a bank-to-bank portal that allows banks to make a profit on their quality deal referrals that previously would have been declined (due to their bank’s internal policies, loan size, loan type, etc). In this instance, they simply put them in The Exchange, and another bank looking for this type of client would fund the deal. The funding bank then pays a small premium to the Exchange after they successfully close the loan, and this premium is shared with the placement bank.
Tony is a native of Camden, SC, and he holds a degree in Business Administration from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. Additionally, he has an M.B.A. in International Business from Mercer University. He is married to Angelia (33 years), and they have 2 children – Brittany and William.
Mr. Christopher “Chris” Brown
General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada
brownbca@gdls.com
Christopher Brown is the Vice President for General Dynamics Land Systems, responsible for Global Strategy and International Business Development, appointed in January 2021. He is based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Mr. Brown leads an experienced team that delivers a broad portfolio of innovative products, services, and solutions to meet customers’ national security requirements. Mr. Brown’s global team develops and implements innovative growth strategies that position GDLS to be the provider of choice for its clients worldwide through strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and direct engagements. Mr. Brown brings 27 years of Defence Industry experience in various senior executive roles within General Dynamics Land Systems. He previously served as Vice President & General Manager of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) & Middle East & North Africa (MENA). Additional executive assignments include the Vice President of Business Development & Strategy at GDLS-Canada, Vice President of GDLS-Force Protection (Charleston, South Carolina), Director of International Business Development (London, Ontario), and Director of Strategic Planning (Sterling Heights, Michigan). Mr. Brown has an International MBA from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Arts (War Studies) from the Royal Military College of Canada, and a Bachelor of Arts from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. He has completed additional certifications in National Security from Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the Canadian Forces College. He is a member of the followings boards: Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) – the Global Innovation Cluster for Advanced Manufacturing; the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) – the national voice of Canada’s defence, security and cyber companies; and The Baker School of Business at The Citadel. As a member of the Canadian Army Reserve for thirty-seven years, Mr. Brown holds the rank of Colonel and is the Commander of 31 Canadian Brigade Group in Southwestern Ontario. He is a former Commanding Officer of the 1st Hussars Regiment based in London and Sarnia, Ontario.
Mr. Curtis Campbell
Curtis Campbell is President of TaxAct (NASDAQ: BCOR), one of the largest providers of tax software solutions in the US. Curtis also serves on the board of Jack Henry (NASDAQ: JKHY) specializing in providing core information technologies to nearly 12,000 financial institutions and corporations. Curtis has previously held executive leadership roles at Capital One Financial Corporation as Managing Vice President of Consumer Auto and with Intuit where he served in Vice President roles as VP of Product Management, Strategy, Analytics, and Innovation. Prior to Intuit, Curtis served as GM of Product at Amazon leading the AWS (Amazon Web Services) teams on their mission to be the world’s best provider of cloud computing services. He spent over 10 years at Dell, leading the OptiPlex line, Dell’s largest business unit.
With 20+ years of experience in executive roles from Fortune 50 companies to smaller, mid-sized organizations, Curtis has been widely viewed as an expert on building focused, innovative organizations with a maniacal focus on the customer and delivering sustainable growth for the business via technology and digital transformations.
Curtis holds a BS in Business Administration from the Citadel and a Master of International Business Studies from the University of South Carolina.
Ulises Carrillo
Divisional Vice President
Abbott Laboratories
Residence: Lake Forest, Illinois
Citadel Class of ’85, Alpha Co.
Ulises is the Division Vice President, Abbott, Global Logistics. In this role Ulises leads Abbott’s global logistics activities, including future strategic operations around the world. Further, Ulises serves as the Chairman of Abbott’s Global Logistics Council, a cross-divisional council with global scope to sustain and improve upon the supply chain. In 2016, he received the Chairman’s Award, Abbott’s highest honor and recognition to employees who embody the best of Abbott, for his efforts, leadership, and dedication in his role as the executive lead for the global One Abbott initiative, delivering material financial improvements, helping Abbott fulfill its goals.
Ulises joined Abbott in December, 2014. He commenced his career with Del Monte Fresh Produce, where he served as Logistics Director for Latin and North American operations. Following Del Monte, he served as Vice President, Global Logistics for the Dole Food Company where he led multiple domestic and international cost improvement initiatives in ocean/air freight, fuel risk management and shipping model transformations. He most recently served as Vice President, Logistics for the TJX Companies, Inc.
Ulises serves on Michigan State University’s Supply Chain advisory council and on The Ohio State’s Fischer College of Business Center for Operational Excellence Board. He also was a volunteer at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Coastal Georgia, where he served as President of the Board.
Ulises is a native of Nicaragua and has a B.S. in Computer Science from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. He was in Alpha Company.
Married to Fanny Carrillo and they have three children: Simone (32), David (14) & Sebastian (11) (both have received their provisional appointments to The Citadel).
Ulises enjoys travel and has visited more than 40 countries.
Ms. Marina Daniel
Marina Daniel is a Senior Manager in Ernst & Young’s (EY) Risk Consulting Services practice for Financial Services organizations. She started her career at EY after graduating from The Citadel (Delta Company ‘06). Marina has over 14 years of internal audit, internal controls, enterprise risk assessment, and process improvement experience across a wide range of industries, primarily focused on financial services. She helps clients collaborate on transformative journeys for their internal audit, internal control, and risk management functions, as well as providing on-going co-source and outsource support. Marina is passionate about coaching, mentoring, and serving others with the objective of helping others solve complex problems, as well as identifying and embracing their own passions. To this end she is actively involved in several EY talent development, corporate responsibility, and social equity initiatives.
Marina graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Business Administration and an emphasis in Accounting. As a full-ride volleyball athlete and co-captain her senior year, she received academic honors all four years, including the Commissioner’s Medal twice. Licensed as a CPA in the states of North Carolina and California she also holds a certification in Mindful Leadership at EY. Marina’s greatest strengths are:
- Positivity – Leading with passion and courage.
- Arranging – Determining how parts of a project can be arranged for maximum productivity and efficiency.
- Achieving – Possessing the drive and ability to motivate herself and her teams to meet high standards.
- Responsibility – Demonstrating ownership and commitment to the tasks at hand.
- Including – Accepting others and doing her best to include everyone.
Professional Highlights
- Launched her practices’ first national staff consulting group to enhance talent development and promote long-term retention (approximately 50 first and second year team members). The program is now in its sixth year, during the four years Marina lead the role, she was responsible for the overall set up and structure of the program, developing and teaching the annual training program, setting and executing the recruiting strategy and goals, including identifying the strategic schools and majors to recruit from.
- Member of the LA office’s EY Ripples Taskforce, EY’s global corporate responsibility program. She is also the Program Manager for Bridging the Digital Divide, EY’s targeted initiative to assist with bridging the digital gap that exists for Black, Latinx, and low-income families.
- Has led several client internal audit co-source teams.
- Performed multiple Internal Audit (IA) Quality Assessments comparing IA functions against IIA and other regulatory standards
- Developed and designed clients’ Enterprise Risk Assessment processes.
- Executed and managed multiple internal controls engagements for banks. In addition, executed program assessments to evaluate current programs against industry/leading practices, including controls rationalization.
Marina lives in Hermosa Beach, California with her partner Ryan and their two bulldogs Opie and Maya. She continues to play volleyball on the beach, participates in several coaching programs in the LA community, focuses on health and fitness, and is learning to cook.
Mr. Hillery P. Douglas, Jr.
Hillery Douglas has over 25 years of Sales and Account Management. His experiences across several industries with specialties in consulting, contact management, customer relations, finance, hiring, instruction, leadership, marketing, payroll processing, personnel, presentation skills, sales, and account & business development. Hillery is a military veteran and graduated in business from The Citadel Military College in SC.
Carlos Gutierrez Ferrete
gutierrezferretecarlos@gmail.com
Senior Vice President & Chief Supply Chain Officer
Reyes Beverage Group
Carlos is the SVP & Chief Supply Chain Officer, Reyes Beverage Group. In this role Carlos leads RBG’s supply chain, operations, safety, and security for the largest beer distributor in the U.S.
Carlos joined Reyes Beverage Group in April 2016 as General Manager for Gold Coast Beverage – distributorship in South Florida part of RBG. He was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations in 2017 where he oversaw all the distribution operations, logistics, and safety. He was instrumental integrating the Supply Chain department in RBG by incorporating to his responsibilities Inbound Logistics, Demand Planning and Purchasing, and Security.
He commenced his career in the U.S with HEB in Texas, where he held multiple positions in supply chain and operations – Logistics Planning Manager, Director of Supply Chain in Mexico, Senior Manager Transportation Planning, Senior Manager Warehouse Operations, and Senior Manager Supply Chain Strategy. Following HEB, he served as Senior Director, Warehouse Operations for C&S Wholesale Grocers where he led multiple distribution facilities in the Northeast and Southeastern of the U.S. Carlos began his career with Frito Lay in Mexico as Transportation Project Engineer.
Carlos is a native of Mexico and holds a B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Montrerrey (ITESM) and a Master of Engineering in Supply Chain Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Carlos and his wife Anne live in Parkland, Florida and have four children: Carlos (attending The Citadel, Class ’26), Maryanne, Mauricio, and Michelle.
Mr. Robert A. Fielitz
Robert Fielitz has a unique global perspective that is rare to find. His exceptional record of accomplishment in delivering growth for the companies and shareholders he serves has been achieved through his ability to motivate, inspire and lead teams across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America, and the Middle East. He currently serves as President and Managing Director of International Operations for Syneron-Candela (the world’s largest medical laser company). He has opened and staffed direct offices and distributorships in more than 60 countries. His exceptional results focus has been honed through years of experience working in public, private and government sectors of business and trade – in some of the toughest geographical markets in the world. His drive, strategic vision and global business expertise make him a chosen and valued member of senior executive teams and global boards.
Robert currently lives with his wife Vickie in Madrid, Spain. His hobbies are real-estate investing and travel. He is passionate about learning and development and hopes to finish his career teaching, mentoring and coaching others. He credits his time as a cadet at The Citadel for his strong work ethic and the value system he lives by today. He is a proud Alumni of both The Citadel and Harvard Business School.
Mr. Garry Flowers
Garry W. Flowers was appointed president with International Battery Metals effective July 1, 2022. International Battery Metals focuses on Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) and has developed a modular mobile extraction plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
From 2016 to 2022, Mr. Flowers served as executive vice president and section 16b officer with the Fluor Corporation, responsible for Construction & Fabrication, HSE, Corporate Security, Corporate Investigations, Industrial Relations, Corporate Supply Chain, and Corporate Risk.
From 2011-2016, Mr. Flowers led the Fluor team replacing the original construction contractor on Westinghouse Nuclear Power Projects to construct four 1200-megawatt, nuclear-powered power projects for 2 public utilities in South Carolina and Georgia, valued at $9B Contract value. Additionally, he had oversight of the governor Mario M. Cuomo Cable Stay Bridge, a $3.2B fixed-price project in Tarrytown, New York, the Nuclear Weapons Storage facility at the F.E. Warren U.S. AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and the U.S. Army Nitrocellulose Project in Radford, Virginia.
In 2012 he served as group president of Global Services, Operations and
Maintenance. He managed a $3B operations and maintenance business sector with19K employees in 100+ countries, and subsidiaries AMECO (equipment rental company) and TRS, Fluor’s temporary staffing company. He oversaw a $500M contract between AMECO and U.S. Army to equip U.S. bases in Iraq.
From 2009 to 2011, Mr. Flowers served as president and chief executive officer of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, the Fluor-led partnership that oversees the management, cleanup, and operations at the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina.
Since joining Fluor in 1978, he has held numerous leadership positions across the company. Active in a variety of civic and professional organizations, Mr. Flowers is a past member of the Executive Council of the U.S. Department of State, Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) and was previously a director on the board of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance.
He is a graduate of Furman University in South Carolina, having earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. Mr. Flowers resides with his wife in Isle of Palms, South Carolina.
Mr. Niall Gannon
Managing Director
ngannon@swbell.net
- 1991 – Present: Morgan Stanley and its predecessors
- 27 years experience managing taxable accounts: trusts & foundations
- Served on CFA Institute Committee for the Development of Investment Policy 2010
- Author: Investing Strategies for the High Net-Worth Investor: Maximize Returns on Taxable Portfolios, published by McGraw-Hill in December 2009
- 2008 Bill Eager Portfolio Manager of the Year – Portfolio Management Institute*
- Four-time recipient of The President’s Volunteer Service Award: (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
- Member, Institute for Private Investors
- Member, Papal Foundation Investment Committee
- Board of Trustees, Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri
- Member, Cor Jesu Academy Advisory Board
- Past director of Connections To Success, Junior Achievement, St. Louis Variety
- Former President, St. Louis School of Irish Arts
- Former Member, Junior Achievement of Mississippi Valley
- Former Chairman, Annual Catholic Appeal, 2006
- Institute for Private Investors: Private Wealth Management Professional Track Program, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (2005)
- CBOE Institutional Investor Risk Management Course, 1995, Options Institute
- BS – Business Administration, 1990, The Citadel Charleston, SC
- Former US Army Reserve M1 Tank Platoon Leader
Mr. Nicholas B. Gavalas
After graduating from the Citadel in 1972, Nick began his career by joining MassMutual Life Insurance Company as an agent. He became part of the Charleston agency management team in 1975 and was appointed General Agent in 1985. During his tenure, he led his agency from $1 million of premium and investment revenue to over $100 million and became a recognized leader in the financial services industry. His organization earned many top awards both within MassMutual and in the industry:
He was selected in 2008 as the College of Charlestons entrepreneur representative to attend the Price-Babson Symposium for Entrepreneurship Educators and was a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He retired from MassMutual in 2009 and now manages Nicholas B. Gavalas & Associates, which offers financial services products and strategies for businesses and families in the Charleston area.
Mr. Gavalas is also an accomplished social entrepreneur, linking his life’s mission and business goals with devotion to service. In 1999 he co-founded the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation, a public charity, with a mission to provide college scholarships to students with physical disabilities. The foundation has raised over $1.2 million and granted 188 scholarships to local colleges and universities. He is also an active donor to the MUSC Children’s Hospital, the No Kid Hungry Campaign and other charities in the low country. He has been part of the mentor program at the College of Charleston and a frequent guest speaker.
He was recently inducted into the Citadel School of Business Half of Fame as a Leader of Principle Award recipient.
Nick and his wife Abby live in Mt. Pleasant and has 3 children and 2 granddaughters.
Mr. Alexander F. Giles III
Alec is currently First-Vice President, Wealth Management- Financial Advisor with Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC of Philadelphia, PA in their Columbia office. He has been in the investment advisory and financial planning field for over twenty years serving high net worth clients as well as for profit & 501c3 organizations. He holds the professional designations of Chartered Financial Consultant [ChFC®] and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor [CRPC®]. Prior to his transition into the financial services industry, Alec spent 20 years living across the United States for his multiple roles in the medical device field. His experience ranged from field sales progressing over the years to senior level comprehensive management positions for major corporations including Cardinal Health, Johnson & Johnson, Baxter, and American Hospital Supply Corporation.
A graduate of The Citadel class of 1983 with a BS in Business Administration, his involvement in the corps of cadets extended from Tango Company Commander [1982-1983] to Editor in Chief of both The Guidon [1982] and The Sphinx [1983]. He was also selected for Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities his senior year. Post graduation, Alec was selected from a national screening process for direct commissioning into the United States Navy Reserve- Naval Intelligence where he served in various units across the country in support of both the Atlantic Intelligence Command, Norfolk, VA and the Joint Intelligence Command- Pacific, Makalapa, HI. Following his honorable discharge in 1999 as Lieutenant, Alec earned his MBA with Honors from Pfeiffer University in Charlotte NC.
He has served on several boards in the past to include The South Carolina Safe Kids Coalition, Executive Board-Indian Waters Council-Boy Scouts of America, Hammond School Alumni Board, and The Heritage Society of Eagle Scouts. Alec and his wife Carolyn are enthusiastic supporters of The Citadel Foundation and are members of The Order of the Tartan, The Heritage Society, The Summerall Society, and will join the ranks of The Star of the West Society in the fall of 2024. They currently reside in Columbia, South Carolina, and they have three adult children- Alexander (Columbia, SC), Chapman (Columbus, OH) and Blake ’23 (Pensacola, FL).
COL Ephraim Grubbs III (Retired)
Colonel Ephraim E. Grubbs, III former 60th Troop Command, Brigade Commander now retired with 30 years of Service in the United States Army.
In 2009, Ephraim co-founded The Adjutant Group (TAG), a company that has grown from a local-based construction management (CM) firm to a full-service CM and General Contracting company covering the South East. Ephraim is actively involved in the day-to-day management of all aspects of TAG: developing goals, operating plans, corporate policies, short and long-term objectives, establishing organizational structure, advising other executives, and reviewing results of business operations. Ephraim is a Licensed General Contractor in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida and has more than 22 years of experience in development and construction of complex projects.
Ephraim is an active Rotarian (20+ years) and serves as head coach and commissioner for football for the local Pop Warner Youth Football Association. Colonel Grubbs resides in Lake Mary, FL with his wife of 31 years Renee, and their 4 children: Ephraim IV age 25, Adam age 21, Eli age 17, and Noah 14 years old.
Military Career Highlights:
- Served as a Jumpmaster in the 82d Airborne Division Fort Bragg, NC (1993-1996)
- Deployments include: Middle East Desert Shield/Desert Storm 1990, Guantanamo Bay Cuba – Haitian Humanitarian Relief 1991, Multi-national Peace Keeping forces South Sinai Egypt 1994, Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005.
- Commands: Company 82d PSD (Fort Bragg, NC), Battalion 217th (PSB Butner, NC), Brigade 60th Troop Command (Raleigh, NC)
- Additional Foreign Experience: Military/State Partnership Programs: Chisinau Moldova 2017, Upward Minuteman Botswana Africa 2019.
Highlight of Military Awards:
- Legion of Merit
- 2 Bronze Stars
- 4 Meritorious Service Medals
- 4 Army Commendation Medals
- 4 Army Achievement Medals
- Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Stars
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Kuwait Liberation Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Svc Ribbon
– Iraq Campaign Medal
Education:
- Masters of Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College 2013
- Command and General Staff College, US Army 2005
- Combined Arms and Services Staff School, US Army 2002
- Masters Degree, MBA, Mississippi College 1998
- Bachelor of Science, Business, The Citadel 1990
- UNC-Wilmington (Summers) 1987-89
- Marion Military School Jr College 1986
- Topsail High School, Hampstead NC 1985
*Mr. Thomas B. “Trey” Hamilton III
Group Leader-South Carolina MMB
TBHamilton@comerica.com
Thomas B. (Trey) Hamilton, III is the South Carolina Group Leader for Comerica Bank. In addition, he is currently active in the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a C-17 pilot. Prior to his current role, Mr. Hamilton spent 12 years in commercial banking with Wells Fargo & Co. and predecessor banks. Prior to the bank, he was a Managing Consultant with IBM. Mr. Hamilton has been involved with numerous non-profit organizations in the Charleston area to include: The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Patriots Point Foundation board and the Coastal Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Hamilton holds a B.S in Business Administration from The Citadel and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
Mr. William H. (Bill) Hancock
Mr. William H. (Bill) Hancock, CPA has more than 29 years of experience in financial and accounting services. He is a Certified Public Accountant and the managing partner of the Brittingham Group, LLP located in West Columbia, South Carolina. The Brittingham Group, LLP was founded in 1957 and current has a staff of over 20 practicing professionals.
He joined the Brittingham Group as a staff accountant in 1992, attained partnership in 2000, and was elected managing partner in 2013. For over 10 years he was responsible for the Firm’s investment advisory/financial planning practice before successfully selling it, requiring him to surrender his Series 7 and 66 securities and South Carolina insurance licenses. Today, he continues to provide income tax planning and preparation services for individuals and business as well as providing audit/attest services for municipalities, non-profits, special purpose districts, and various political subdivisions.
As an active member of the community, Mr. Hancock is an Elder at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, has served as the Chair of the Finance committee, serves on the Endowment committee, and is on several ad hoc committees for the church.
He also serves on the board of directors and the finance committee for Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina (PCSC). PCSC has six Life Plan Communities across South Carolina and is a compassionate Christian ministry dedicated to enriching the quality of life for seniors of all faiths.
For over 20 years, he was a member of the Columbia East Rotary Club serving as Club Treasurer for most of that time. In 2012, he was appointed by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley to be a Commissioner for the East Richland County Public Service District before resigning in 2017 to serve as a Commissioner for the South Carolina Retirement System Investment Commission (SC RSIC), appointed by South Carolina State Treasurer Curtis M. Loftis, Jr. He was elected chair of SC RSIC in 2020.
A proud graduate of the Citadel, Mr. Hancock graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. He also studied at the University of South Carolina’s Moore School of Business. Mr. Hancock resides in Columbia, South Carolina with his wife, Lori, a high school English teacher, and their two daughters. In his spare time Mr. Hancock enjoys hunting and playing golf.
*Mr. David V. “Dave” Harper
Dave Harper earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Minnesota and his MBA in Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Dave has held senior finance positions, including Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a variety of sectors and industries – including automotive, construction, distribution, manufacturing, and private equity.
Dave’s experience spans various size entities – from startup through Fortune 50 companies. His finance experience includes; IPO’s, debt offerings, SEC compliance, operational analysis, investor relations, and M&A. In addition, Dave also owned a residential and commercial construction company. Currently, Dave is President and CEO of J.R. Hobbs
Company – a commercial mechanical firm. He is a CPA and has been active in local organizations as well as the Mentors Association, the Bulldog Business Bowl and as an adjunct professor at the Citadel.
Dave and his wife, Martha, have two children.
Mr. Jack Jones
Retired Vice President and General Manager, Boeing South Carolina
Jack currently sits on the Board of Beacon Community Bank and is President of JLJ Consulting LLC.
Jack was vice president and general manager of Boeing South Carolina. He had overall leadership responsibility for Boeing’s South Carolina operations and facilities in North Charleston.
Boeing South Carolina assembles and delivers 787 Dreamliners to customers around the world. The site also fabricates, assembles, and installs systems for the aft fuselage sections of the 787 and joins and integrates 787 mid-body fuselage sections from structural partners in Japan and Italy.
Before joining the Boeing South Carolina team in March 2011, Jones served as vice president of the Everett Delivery Center, overseeing Airplane-on-Ground, Paint, Pre-Flight and Delivery operations for the Boeing wide-body models (747, 767, 777 and 787) assembled in Everett, Wash. He was named to that assignment in October 2003.
In March 2008, he began an assignment as vice president of Final Assembly and Change Incorporation for the 787, leading the team responsible for assembling the Dreamliner at the Everett factory. He returned to his Everett Delivery Center role in early 2010.
Previously, Jones was director of 747/767 Manufacturing from April 2003 to September 2003. In this capacity he led 747 and 767 build processes including Factory, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Tooling Production Control and Derivative Programs. From May 1999 to March 2003, Jones was the 747 director of Manufacturing. Prior to that, Jones led the Everett site 747 / 767 Fuselage Responsibility Center (FRC) from August 1995 until March 1999.
Jones started his career with Boeing as an Industrial Engineer in 1980 on the 757 Program. He spent time on several commercial and military programs, including B-2 Stealth Bomber and Air Force One prior to his assignment in Everett as the Fuselage Responsibility Center Director.
Jones received his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Washington. He is married with one son.
Mr. Joseph J. “Jay” Keenan
Joseph J. (Jay) Keenan, CCIM was raised in Charleston, attended catholic schools and graduated from The Citadel in 1967 with a degree in Business Administration. He served as an officer in the US Army until 1972 and returned to Charleston to begin a career in real estate with the Arthur Ravenel Jr Co and later the Max Hill Co. In 1979 he and Batson Hewitt began the commercial real estate firm of Keenan and Hewitt, Inc., predecessor to Palmetto Commercial Properties, Inc. In January 2015 he and his partners sold the firm to his son and 2 partners. In 1983 he began the investment firm of K&H Properties, LLC, which developed and currently owns several office buildings, retail centers, the HarbourView Inn, the French Quarter Inn, and The Spectator Hotel in Charleston and the Holiday Inn Express in Mt Pleasant. In 1979 Jay was awarded CCIM certificate #954 by the Commercial Investment Institute of the National Association of Realtors and in 1982 selected as a Senior Instructor. He has presented commercial investment real estate courses in almost every state in the US, as well as Taiwan, Poland, Canada and Russia. He has served as President of the Metro Exchange Club, President of the Charleston Breakfast Rotary Club, President of the SC CCIM Chapter, and President of the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors. Jay served his community as Chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals on Sullivans Island and the State of South Carolina as Chairman of the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. He serves on the Executive Committee of the SC State Fair in Columbia, SC. He is a life member of the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist, a member of the Diocesan Finance Counsel, Trustee of the Priests Retirement Pension fund and the Chairman of the Diocesan Real Estate Committee. He has been a Life member of the Citadel Alumni Association since graduation and received the Carroll LeTellier Service Award in 2016. He serves on The Citadel Real Estate Foundation and is a member of the Foundation’s Leaders in Philanthropy, and Order of the Tartan and the Summerall society. He enjoys hunting, fishing, boating and spending as much time as possible with his 4 grand kids at J Daddys Farm in Williamsburg County. Jay and his wife Jane have been married 49 years.
*Mr. Jamie Kerr – Board Chair
Jamie Kerr received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The Citadel in 1991. While at The Citadel, Jamie was in F Troop and was the captain of the Crew team both his junior and senior years. He currently is the President of Asset Management & Consulting Services (AMCS). AMCS is an investment real estate and property management firm, which manages a large residential apartment portfolio mainly in the Charleston region but also in Columbia and Greenville, SC, as well as Florida and Georgia. AMCS owns and/or controls much of the portfolio they manage through various entities. AMCS employs approximately 120 people.
Jamie is also active in the local community by serving on boards and supporting organizations such as Communities in Schools, and other community organizations. Currently he serves as Regulatory chairman and board member of SAHMA and a member NAHMA, two organizations supporting affordable housing. He is a member of Grace Church in Charleston and currently sits on the vestry. He also has been both a junior and senior warden for Grace Church. Jamie and his wife, Liane, have three children, Collin, Riley and Jack. The Kerr’s reside on Daniel Island.
Mr. William R. Klich
Bill Klich graduated from The Citadel in 1966 and received his MBA from Georgia State University in 1972. Bill graduated from the Colgate Darden Graduate Business School Executive Program, University of Virginia in 1979. He served as a Captain in the United States Air Force from 1966–1970. After the Air Force, Bill joined the First National Bank of Atlanta, now Wachovia Bank, completed their corporate training program and was subsequently a National Banking Officer. In 1972, he joined Southeast Bank, N.A. Miami, where he held various lending and management positions, including Head of the Metropolitan Corporate Banking Division and Regional Senior Lending Officer. He was the Central Florida Regional President, based in Tampa from 1983 to 1990. In 1990, after 18 years at Southeast Bank, he joined Coast Bank as President and Chief Executive Officer, serving in that capacity until Coast Bank was acquired by SunTrust in 1993. Bill served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer for SunTrust Bank, Gulf Coast from March 1996 until March 15, 2000. He joined Republic Bank as President and Chief Executive Officer on March 15, 2000. Bill was elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank in May 2002 and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Republic Bancshares; he served as a Director on both Boards. Bill joined BB&T in 2004 as the Gulf Coast Regional President and Florida Group/State President through the Republic Bancshares merger with BB&T and retired from the bank in 2010. In June 2014 Bill became President and CEO of Old Dominion National Bank in Charlottesville, VA. Bill has served on numerous not-for-profit organizations, community and industry boards over the years including the Boards of the United Way of Greater Tampa, the United Way of Sarasota, the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce the United Way of Pinellas County, the Board of Trustees, The Florida House, Washington, D.C. and as Chairman of The Florida Bankers Association. Bill currently serves on one bank board of directors (Florida) and is a consultant to the financial services industry. Bill and his wife, Lyle, have two daughters, Caroline and Wendy.
*Mr. Charles B. Lawless
Chuck Lawless, (November Co. ’94), is a Senior Managing Director at Mesirow Financial in Chicago, where he began his career in 1996. He has 20 years of investment advisory and retirement plan advisory experience and is head of The Lawless Advisory Group, which manages assets for high net worth individuals and corporate clients. In 2011, Chuck was nominated for the New Trier Township High School Alumni Achievement Award given to select graduates each year whose lives and careers are spent upholding the New Trier values of inquiry, compassion and service. In 2010, he was named one of Chicago magazine’s “2010 Five Star Wealth Managers” as selected through an independent survey to identify Chicago Area Wealth Managers who scored highest in overall client satisfaction, and he wrote and published The Tyro Dossier – Beginning Principles for Young Asset Managers to Engage Success at Work and Beyond. In 2009, Chuck received the Mesirow Financial Norman Award for Collaboration, named in honor of the firm’s 1937 Founder, Norman Mesirow, after he spearheaded a campaign which gathered $105 Million of new client assets. In 2006, after serving as chairman of corporate sponsorships for The Stephen B. Tips Memorial Fund, Chuck founded The New Trier Tyro Society, a non-profit scholarship program for aspiring future business leaders, which provides deserving New Trier graduates global mentorship and business internships during college. In 2010, he expanded the society by creating a sister program in Chicago’s inner city and partnered with The Gary Comer College Prep Charter School. Chuck is an Investment Committee member of the Chicago Engineers Foundation and a member of the Advisory Committee for the Center for Financial Services Education at The Citadel. He is an Eagle Scout and remains active in the Boy Scouts of America, and is currently the president of The Chicago and Midwest Area Citadel Alumni Club. In 2013 he was named Citadel Chicago Midwest Alumni Club President of the Year, and in 2014 he was inducted into The Citadel School of Business Administration’s Hall of Fame as Leaders of Principle and recipient of the 2014 Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award. He co-Chaired The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation 2014 Breathe Benefit, and successfully raised over a $150,000 with the event at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. He was named “2014 Outstanding Volunteer” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and was given the award at the Conrad Hilton in Chicago. Chuck earned his degree in business administration at The Citadel, and is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary®. He and his wife Jenny have been married 16 years and have three children: Sean (13), Paige (11) and Finn (9) and still vacation in Charleston twice a year.
Mr. James Lathren
James Lathren was born in Greenwood, South Carolina on July 13, 1948. He graduated from The Citadel in 1970 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He served four years in the United States Air Force. James received a Masters in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University in 1974 and a Masters in Health Administration in 1976. James spent most of his career serving in hospital administration in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. In 2006, he was given the opportunity to create The Leadership Institute of Palmetto Health in Columbia, South Carolina. He served as President of The Leadership Institute until 2013, at which time he re-entered health administration serving as Chief Operation Officer-Acute Care, Chief Transition Officer and Leadership Coach.
James retired from Palmetto Health Administration and Leadership Development in July 2018. He continues to study, teach and coach leadership in his retirement. He attended the John Maxwell International Membership Certification Conference in March 2019 and studied specifically in the area of leadership coaching. He started a leadership podcast in March 2022 “Lathren on Leadership”, which is available on Spotify, Google and Apple podcasts and covers a broad spectrum of leadership. James and his wife Linda have two sons, James and Andrew, and four grandchildren, Mira, Holt, Grant and Austin. They currently live in Columbia, South Carolina.
Kirk McMillan
Kirk McMillan is CEO of PeopleSurge and Vistage Chair whose entrepreneurial spirit and proven aptitude have earned him the reputation as a seasoned strategist throughout Charleston. Over the course of nearly three decades, he has garnered extensive leadership experience within the business world. He holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Family Business from Kennesaw State University and a B.S. in Business Administration from The Citadel.
No matter what venture he has undertaken, his lifelong mission remains unwavering. Ultimately, he strives to elevate his community’s leaders and enrich their journey so they can pave their way to lasting personal and professional enrichment. From being promoted to CEO of his family business at the age of 26, to spearheading numerous companies, his vision goes beyond his field of choice. His sights are set on creating a ripple effect of positive change across local and global communities that continues impacting people for years to come.
Outside of advising and coaching his clients, Kirk McMillan enjoys paddle surfing, yoga, tennis, and sailing. He is also a student of life and avid reader who strives to be continually curious. Above all, he cherishes spending time with his family. Residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Kirk is happily married and the proud father of three beautiful children.
Outside of advising and coaching his clients, Kirk McMillan enjoys paddle surfing, yoga, tennis, and sailing. He is also a student of life and avid reader who strives to be continually curious. Above all, he cherishes spending time with his family. Residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Kirk is happily married and the proud father of three beautiful children.
Barbara L. Melvin
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
South Carolina Ports Authority
bmelvin@scspa.com
As Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Melvin oversees terminal operations, carrier sales, information technology and support services, crane and equipment maintenance, engineering, environmental, Port Police, procurement, the logistics solution center, and cruise operations. Ms. Melvin also serves as the SCPA’s lead staff person on the Charleston Harbor Post 45 Project and the Jasper Ocean Terminal Project.
During her 20+ years with SCPA, Ms. Melvin has held several senior leadership positions, including Senior Vice President, Operations and Terminals, Senior Vice President, External Affairs, and Vice President, Government Relations. Before joining the Port in 1998, she served as Director of Government Relations for the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and as a policy analyst for the Georgia Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget.
Ms. Melvin is a Riley Institute Diversity Leadership graduate, a member of the South Carolina Advisory Council of the United States Global Leadership Coalition, the Ports Caucus Advisory Board for the United States Congress, Incoming Board Chair of the American Heart Association Charleston Board (2020-2021), and a Liberty Fellow. She is a Community Advisor for the Junior League, a former member of the Business Advocacy Committee of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, a past Chair of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, a former member of the board of Charleston Wine+Food Festival, a former member of the board for Communities in Schools and the South Carolina Maritime Foundation.
Ms. Melvin was awarded the 2018 ILA Woman of the Year, the Center for Women’s Most Influential Women Wrecking Ball Award, the Charleston Women in International Trade (CWIT) 2014 Woman of the Year, The Propeller Club of Charleston and South East Region Maritime Person of the Year, the National Transportation Week Leader of the Year, and Columbia South Carolina’s 2014 Top Women of Influence Award.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Georgia Southern University with a minor in international relations and a Masters in Business Administration in Global Supply Chain from the University of Tennessee Haslam School of Business.
Mr. Arthur “Art” Milligan, Jr.
Arthur “Art” Milligan, Jr. spent most of his career managing large portfolios of commercial real estate. His career includes achieving the position of Executive of three of the largest national property management companies (The Integral Group, Carroll Management Group, and for H. J. Russell & Company). These companies specialize in multifamily, mixed-use, and retail real estate development and management. Mr. Milligan also has held the position of President & CEO for three of the largest housing authorities in the southeast (Tampa Housing Authority, Housing Authority of Winston-Salem, and presently employed by the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston). Art Milligan took over as President & CEO on January 1, 2022, after serving for the past year as Chief Operating Officer. Art brings more than 30 years of experience and knowledge leading public housing authorities over the span of his career.
Mr. Harvey Morrison
Harvey has spent 20+ years working as a sales and marketing executive in the software technology space in areas ranging from Cyber Security, AI, Supply Chain and Blockchain. In 2016 Harvey co-founded Marion Square Partners an advisory services and investment firm focusing on enabling venture backed technology companies to enter Government markets. His investments include companies in Cyber Security, Mobile Application and Mobile Security, Digitization, and Blockchain verticals.
Harvey earned a BS in Business Administration from The Citadel in 1992 and has completed executive programs at Stanford University in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and from the London School of Economics in both Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies.
Mr. Rod D. Moseley
- Entered the Citadel in Aug. 1970 as a 16-year old. Assigned to ‘ A ‘ Company.
- Sophomore year – Joined the Sailing team (Corps Squad) as Manager
- Junior year – First semester interrupted by auto accident. Injuries negated my signing contract with U.S. Marine Corps. Lost second semester to recovery.
- Senior year – Annual Staff (Advertising) – Senior Private
- Graduation – Summer, 1974 with B.S. Business Administration
After Graduation
Joined family business,Bulldog Hiway Express. Grew Bulldog to $40+ Million in revenue with 270 employees. Participated in Local, State and National industry groups (American Trucking Association, S. C. Trucking Association, Truckload Carriers Assoc.). Served on Boards: Charleston Chamber of Commerce, Propeller Club of Charleston, Country Club of Charleston, including becoming Chair of Transport Clearings East, one of the largest transportation factors in the U.S.
Served as State Commissioner on S.C. Harbor Pilots Commission.
Served several terms as Deacon at First Scots Presbyterian Church.
Citadel Efforts
Lifetime Member of CAA. Citadel Club of Charleston, President, 1991. Citadel Brigadier Foundation, President, 1998. 1st District Director – Citadel Alumni Association, 2010. Began The Citadel Kickoff Classic in 1998 and ran it for 20 years. Through this effort we began 9 Class scholarships along with raising over $1.5 million (net) over that period. Am member of the President’s Circle and also The Summerall Society at Citadel Foundation. In 2018, was recognized by The Citadel Foundation with The Philanthropic Partner Award.
Mr. Steven D. Ogier
ContraVest | Principal
sogier@contravest.com
Steven Ogier is one of three partners at ContraVest. He serves formally as the president of ContraVest Builders, the general contracting arm, one of three companies in the ContraVest family of apartment related companies. In addition, he is one of the three partners of ContraVest Development Partners and ContraVest Management Company. ContraVest builds, own and operate apartment communities throughout the south east and western United States. The company has built over 27,000 apartment homes, in excess of $1.4B in volume. ContraVest, a family business started by Gerry Ogier, a 1965 Citadel graduate, is a 34 year old company. Prior to joining ContraVest, Steve was a sales professional in both the medial and financial wholesaling industries; with KLS Martin and Principal Financial Group respectively. After graduating from the Citadel in 1990 with a BS in business administration, Steve was commissioned and served on active duty for five years as an armored cavalry officer in Germany with the 11th ACR and 1st AD. While in the military, Steve completed, airborne, ranger, air assault an scout platoon leaders training. Steve and his wife, Theresa, reside in Orlando, FL and have two daughters.
*Mr. Robert G. Priest
REI Equity Partners
rgpriest@gmail.com
Robert G. Priest, with over forty (40) years of experience in finance, commercial real estate, construction, business management and board leadership, is a Founding Partner of REI Equity Partners. He also serves as Co-Founder and a Managing Partner of REI Advisors, a CRE Buyer’s Brokerage. The retired owner of the award-winning Burr Roofing-Siding-Window Co., Stratford, CT, began his career at the Fortune 500 level in Finance, Leasing, Purchasing and Transportation Management.
An Eagle Scout, previous board service includes the Connecticut Better Business Bureau, the National Roofing Contractors Association and as The Student Member, Rutgers University Board of Governors. He has held numerous volunteer leadership positions within the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Priest is an ordained Presbyterian Elder, having served in several financial and leadership functions at churches in both Beaufort, SC and Darien, CT.
Mr. Priest earned an M.B.A. in Finance from New York University, and a B.S, in Economics from Rutgers University. He and his wife Barbara reside on Dataw Island, SC, and are blessed to be the proud parents of three adult children and five wonderful grandchildren.
John Regan
Permanens Capital Partners, Founding Partner, Chief Investment Officer
jr@permcap.com
With over thirty years of investment experience across multiple asset classes, JR is the Founding and Managing Partner of PermCap, which manages $4.5 billion for endowments, foundations, and high-net-worth families.
Prior to founding PermCap in 2011, he served as the Senior Investment Officer at the Cornell University endowment, responsible for hedge funds, private equity, and overall endowment liquidity.
Before joining Cornell, JR founded Steeple Capital, a $600mm equity hedge fund with offices in San Francisco and New York.
JR has also held senior investment positions at Bessent Capital, Andor Capital and J.P. Morgan Fleming Asset Management. He graduated Cum Laude from Tufts University with a degree in Political Science and earned his MBA in Finance from NYU’s Stern School of Business.
JR is a long-standing member of the Tufts University Board of Advisors for Athletics and Co-Chair of the Tufts Athletics Campaign. He served for fifteen years as a Trustee of Poly Prep Country Day School, where he also chaired the Investment and Advancement Committees. He served as a board member at Meetup.com for 3 years, representing PermCap’s ownership in the company until its sale this past January. From 2007 to 2019, JR served on the Salvation Army’s $2.5 billion Endowment Investment Committee. He has previously served on the Advisory Board of Girls Who Invest, a non-profit dedicated to expanding female careers in asset management.
He is a recent Charleston transplant, having opened a PermCap office downtown near Rainbow Row and relocating his family from New York City three years ago. Upon moving, JR quickly got involved in the community and is currently a foundation board member of The Porter-Gaud School and a member of The Citadel’s Baker School of Business Advisory Board.
Mr. Jason Russell
Morgan Stanley, Managing Director, Investment Banking Division
jason.russell@morganstanley.com
Jason Russell is a Managing Director on the healthcare investment banking team at Morgan Stanley with coverage efforts focused primarily on biotech and biopharma companies. He has 16+ years of experience advising public and private clients of all sizes on their important financing and strategic objectives. Key areas of focus include equity, debt and royalty financings as well as strategic advisory and M&A assignments. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2014, he worked in a similar capacity at Cowen and Company. Jason graduated as the First Honor Graduate with a B.S. in business administration and accounting from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina.
Mr. David S. Saulnier
David Saulnier is President of DS Lending and Capital (DSLC) a provider of asset based loans and venture capital to small and medium sized corporations, individuals and startup businesses in the real estate, health care, insurance and oil and gas industries. Deals are typically structured with DSLC as general partner, senior lender, LLC’s with trusted partners or with DSLC acting as an agent for a capital raise. Prior to this David was Chief Risk Officer (CRO) for State Street Global Advisors, the third largest asset manager in the World with $2.5 Trillion in assets under management and a subsidiary of State Street Bank (GSIFI). David oversaw all investment, trading, credit, operational, liquidity, regulatory and fiduciary risk while managing a global staff of 70 Risk professionals. David chaired or was a member of numerous committees including the Management Risk and Capital Committee, Risk Committee, Global Investment Committee, IT Steering Committee and Global Product Committee. David was previously Chief Risk Officer for State Street Bank’s largest subsidiary, State Street Global Services, overseeing custody, accounting, fund administration, investment operations outsourcing, alternative asset servicing and performance and analytics for $28 Trillion in assets. David served on the Boards of State Street Bank and Trust Company, NA and State Street Bank of California, NA, was Chairman of the Charitable Asset Management Committee and served on the Valuation Committee for one of Boston’s largest asset managers. Before joining State Street David was the Head of Risk Management for Pioneer Investments where he oversaw all investment, trading, IT and Operational Risk for $70 billion in AUM. During this time David was credited with creating an industry leading Operational Risk System, enhancing industry Best Execution monitoring for all asset classes and implementing one of the industry’s first global trade order management and compliance systems. David was on numerous committees including serving as the Chair of the Trade Management Committee. David also has experience as the Head of Counterparty Risk for Harvard Management Company where he was responsible for counterparty and credit risk for all equity, private equity, fixed income and commodity derivative investment strategies within Harvard’s endowment and its associated arbitrage portfolios. David also served as a Commercial Banker for Bank of America covering the real estate, health care and service industries. David graduated from The Citadel Military College of SC with a BS in Business Administration and received his MBA from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. David is married to his wife of 25 years, Melody, and has twin 16 year old daughters.
Mr. Jeffrey Shuman
Jeff Shuman is a global CHRO with experience leading major transformations and driving shareholder value within multi-national, publicly traded consumer (Avon), industrial (Honeywell/Allied Signal), aerospace / defense (Northrop Grumman, Harris, nowL3Harris, Corporation) and healthcare (Quest Diagnostics) companies. Shuman retired as Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer for Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), a global diagnostic information services business, with responsibility across human capital strategy and corporate social responsibility. Jeff has been a leader in human resources, operations and general management and has established a strong reputation of maximizing the value of acquired entities, digitalizing the workforce and leading transformations that accelerate growth, driving operational excellence and significantly enhancing organizational effectiveness. Shuman possess an informed, reasoned approach to addressing complex business problems and has established a wide array of governance experiences.
Prior to joining Quest Diagnostics in 2012, Shuman served as Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer with Harris Corporation, now L3Harris, a $17 billion aerospace and defense innovator company serving government and commercial markets in more than 100 countries. As CHRO and Chief Administrative Officer he held responsibility across government affairs, real estate, EHS, Communications, the fleet and human resources. Over his nearly eight years with Harris Corporation, Shuman successfully led the company though a significant transformation focused on driving innovation and market diversification, resulting in new businesses in healthcare and satellite communications, and maximizing adjacent markets. He also worked closely with the Board of Directors on a successful CEO succession.
Before joining Harris in August 2005, Shuman was Vice President of Human Resources and Administration for Northrop Grumman’s Information Technology business, and Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Litton Information Systems Group, acquired by Northrop Grumman in 2001. Previously, he was Vice President of Human Resources for AlliedSignal’s / Honeywell’s technical service business. He began his commercial career at Avon, where he spent 14 years in roles of increasing responsibility across Operations, General Management and Human Resources.
Shuman has served as Chairman of the Greater Baltimore-Washington, DC, chapter of INROADS and has supported the Private Sector Council in key initiatives as an advisor with the Department of Education and the Department of Homeland Security. He received a Stevie ® during the American Business Awards in 2007 for “Best Human Resources Executive” and was the 2011 recipient of the “HR Executive of the Year”. Jeff currently serves on the following Boards: Cielo Healthcare Advisory Board, Xpert Network Advisory Board, Garner Health Advisory Board and Florida Institute of Technology Business School Advisory Board. Shuman earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from The Citadel. Following graduation, he served as a Medical Service Corps officer in the U.S. Army. He resides in Florida with his wife and has two grown daughters who are growing their careers.
Mr. Chris Sullivan
Chris Sullivan is the Vice President of AWS Channels & Alliances, Americas. He is responsible for aligning the AWS strategy and go-to-market model with the strengths and capabilities of AWS Partners in North America and Latin America.
Chris brings over 20 years of experience in technology leadership with a track record of developing teams, programs, and partnerships that deliver exceptional value and opportunity.
Chris has held sales and partner executive positions across multiple cloud, software, and infrastructure companies ranging in size from initial stage start-up to Fortune 100. Prior to his career in technology, Chris was an Infantry Officer in the United States Marine Corps and holds a BA in Business Administration from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina.
Zach Taylor
Zach Taylor is a Partner in the Business Consulting practice of Ernst & Young in Charlotte, NC. He helps clients identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes, applications, measure and respond to risk exposure, and support the planning and adoption of new processes and technology through risk based transformations. Zach has nearly two decades of process improvement, enterprise risk management, agile internal audit, change management, and Sarbanes-Oxley 404 (SOX) compliance experience for global enterprises in industries including but not limited to the following; advanced manufacturing, chemicals, retail/consumer products, healthcare, life sciences, and power and utilities. Additionally, Zach has experience in contract risk assessments, information technology controls, application controls, cybersecurity, and transaction due-diligence. Zach has worked with and led multi-national and cross functional teams across some of the largest publicly and privately held companies in the world. He’s worked extensively across all EY service lines with successful integration and critical metric reporting of global teams to deliver seamless and effective transformational projects for his clients. Developing people is one of Zach’s key areas of focus and he has held many lead roles during his tenure at EY. Consequently, he is a member of EY’s People Advisory Forum and Central Region Recruiting Team along with contributing as a DE&I Mentor, Southeast Region Cybersecurity Risk Lead and Southeast Region Internal Audit Lead. Zach graduated from The Citadel in 2006 with a degree in Business Administration with an Accounting concentration. He currently resides in Charlotte, NC and is married to his high school sweetheart for 16 years. They have two children, 12 and 9 years old, and a lazy lab that retrieves birds on occasion. His family believes strongly in giving their best effort for themselves, their family, and their community. They are active in many organizations and donate extensively in both time and resources to their local communities, supporting the efforts of the American Heart Association, Apparo, Ducks Unlimited, Habitat for Humanity, The Heartest Yard, Junior Achievement, Reelin’ for Research, United Way, and Wounded Warriors.
Mr. Craig Tscherne
Senior Managing Director
Suntrust Bank
craig.tscherne@gmail.com
Craig Tscherne graduated from The Citadel class of 1994 M company with a BS in Education. Upon graduation he returned home to NYC and joined his brother working for a wholesale broker dealer named Sherwood Securities. After a year training class he became the youngest NASDAQ trader at the firm specializing in the new technology sector. After 3 years at Sherwood Mr. Tscherne built up strong foundation of institutional clients and moved to an Institutional trading desk to handle the increased notional trades to Furman Selz who merged with ING Barings. At ING Barings he continued to be the top performer and eventually ran the trading desk. After ING merged with ABN Amro and exited the US equity market he joined CIBC Capital markets as a Managing Director and helped turn the desk around and grew profits over 30%. After completing a 2 year contract at CIBC, Mr. Tscherne was hired by Bank Of America as the senior tech trader to help build the desk. While at BofA he helped build the institutional desk into one of the biggest on Wall Street and was the foundation of today’s Merrill Lynch. After 6 years at BofA and during the financial crisis JP Morgan asked him to join them and help build out their technology trading department. After 8 years at JPM, he was able to move JPM into the top 1-2 rankings in the semiconductor and hardware sectors and help the Equity Capital Market teams land 4 of the biggest technology mergers ever on Wall Street totaling over $70B in 2015. Mr. Tscherne continues to trade the technology sector, help develop new trading platforms, mentor juniors, recruit and serve on the VETS committee. Mr. Tscherne directly covers the biggest mutual funds and hedge funds in the world on a daily basis. Responsible for billions of dollars of risk daily. Outside Wall Street Mr. Tscherne was one of the original investors in Sushi Samba LLC, a restaurant chain operating in 3 countries and 5 states which sold for over $150M in 2015. Also a partner in Sivilli Contracting & Construction in NY.
Mr. Robert Edward “Teddy” Turner IV
“Teddy” Turner has served in numerous business capacities including promotions manager at Turner Home Entertainment, as well as project manager at Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. After spending two years at CNN‘s Moscow bureau as a cameraman and editor, Teddy went on to develop and produce various programs involved in TBS‘s Soviet Union relations, including the Goodwill Games, the international athletic competition event created by Ted Turner to ease tensions during the Cold War through friendly sports competition between nations. Between June 1989 and June 1993, Teddy was president and skipper of Challenge America, Ltd., a campaign for the Whitbread “Around the World” sailboat race. Teddy then went on to spend 10 years developing and running Charleston Boatworks, a premiere yacht repair and yacht brokerage in South Carolina. He also serves on the board of the Jane Smith Turner Foundation. Turner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in 1985. He resides in Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife Blair and his three children.
Mr. Anthony Von Mickle
“From the mobile home to where moguls roam”, Anthony “Von” Mickle invested his way out of the trailer park and founded The Investment Forum. Today as an investor, author and entrepreneur, he provides workshops on the fundamentals of equity and real estate investments and provides keynote and motivational speeches.
During a 20 month lay-off in government consulting, he turned an $8 an hour part-time job into a successful portfolio of real estate and stocks affording his family a privileged lifestyle along the way. He is the author of Real Estate for Real People and Slide 68: 86 Your Current Life for the Lifestyle You’ve Been Dreaming Of.
He is a graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina where he studied Modern Languages (French) and Business Administration. During undergraduate school, he served several as in 11 Bravo Infantryman in the South Carolina Army National Guard. Afterwards, he obtained multiple certifications and began a successful government IT career.
He continued his graduate work of foreign languages at the Harvard University Ukrainian Research Institute in Boston, Massachusetts where his studies included Ukrainian language and culture. He earned an MBA from Keller Graduate School in Washington, DC and a DBA (Doctorate in International Business). He holds graduate certificates in Financial Planning/Wealth Management from Georgetown University; Private Equity and Venture Capital from Tsinghua University and Harvard Business School; Beijing China and Investment Banking Fundamentals from The Washington Investment Banking Institute, Washington DC.
When not reading business profiles or studying French residential architecture, he enjoys traveling with his family.
Mr. W. Crayton Walters III
Crayton has been a Harbor Pilot with the Charleston Branch Pilots Association since 1991. He is licensed by the State of South Carolina as a Full Branch Pilot for Charleston Harbor and Port Royal Sound. He holds a United States Coast Guard License as a First Class Pilot for Charleston and Port Royal. He is on the board of directors for The Charleston Pilots. He is the trustee for the State of South Carolina to the American Pilots Association and currently is the Vice-President of the APA for the South Atlantic region.
Crayton was part of a group that organized Harbor National Bank in Charleston, South Carolina in 2006 and was a director until it’s sale to BNC Bank in 2014.
He currently is Chairman of the Board of the J. Stewart Walker Foundation for The College of Charleston. He is on the board of trustees and currently Vice Chair of Historic Charleston Foundation. He is a board member and on the Executive Committee of The United States National Sailing Hall of Fame, Annapolis, Maryland. He is on the board of Charleston Collegiate School.
He was on the board of trustees for The Propeller Club for the Port of Charleston. He is a former board member of Charleston Day School, Charleston, S.C. and a former board member of The Lowcountry Open Land Trust. He was an appointee of Governor Sanford’s to the Port Royal Pilot Commission and a past chairman. He is a former member of Wachovia National Bank Advisory Board, Charleston. Prior to joining The Charleston Pilots, he was an assistant vice president of C&S National Bank, Charleston, South Carolina. He graduated from The Citadel, Charleston, S.C. in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Crayton and his family are members of St. Philips Church, where he was a member of the vestry and past Senior Warden. He is married to Louisa Geer Walters and they have two children, Hope, 17, and Will, 15.
Jim Wigfall
Vice President – SSG Business Support to BCA & BCC
The Boeing Company
james1.s.wigfall@gmail.com
Jim Wigfall is the Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) Shared Services Group (SSG) Business Partner leader. In this role, Wigfall is responsible for strategic alignment and SSG service delivery in support of daily operations at Commercial Airplanes sites. He reports to the SSG president and is a member of the Shared Services Leadership Team.
Previous to this role, Wigfall served as vice president of SSG Business Integration to BCA and Boeing Capital Corporation (BCC) from December 2010 to February 2017. From October 2005 to December 2010, he served as vice president of SSG Supplier Management with responsibility for the purchase of all non-production goods and services for Boeing.
Prior to the October 2005 realignment of Shared Services Group, Wigfall led the Supply Chain Services organization, which included Investment Recovery and Distribution, Business and Technical Information Management, Creative Services, Library and Learning Centers, and Printing Services & Engineering Information Management.
Between May 2003 and August 2004, Wigfall served as director of Information Systems Process Councils at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, ensuring that the information technology strategy aligned with the Commercial Airplanes strategy, and oversaw a reliable computing production environment. He worked with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supplier Management, Finance, Contracts, Human Resources, and Sales and Marketing.
Wigfall previously was Commercial Airplanes Information Systems director for Manufacturing, Quality Assurance and Supply Chain Systems, director of Enterprise Computing Operations and Support at Shared Services, and director of the Year 2000 (Y2K) program for Commercial Airplanes.
Between 1988 and 1998, he held several Information Systems management positions within Boeing Computer Services and Boeing Commercial Airplanes supporting business resources, database design, software engineering, CAD/CAM systems, configuration management and continuous quality improvement. In 1987, Wigfall was recognized as Boeing Computer Services Employee of the Year. He joined Boeing in 1986 as an Ada programmer converting software code.
Active in the community, Wigfall is a member of the Board of Trustees for King County Library System, Evergreen State College and on the Citadel School of Business Advisory Board. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Washington Special Olympics and the Citadel Foundation.
Wigfall was named a Seattle YMCA Black Achiever 1990-2000. Wigfall is also the Boeing executive representative for the National Society of Black Engineers and received the Career Achievement in Industry Award from Career Communications Group at the Black Engineer of the Year Awards in February 2009.
Born in Los Angeles, Wigfall lived at various locations across the United States as a military dependent. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics/Computer Science in 1982 from The Citadel, a military college in Charleston, S.C. He served four years in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1986 as a captain in the Signal Corps in Augusta, Ga. He obtained his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, specializing in Aerospace.
Outside of work, Wigfall writes fiction, is an avid professional sports fan and enjoys playing sports. He lives in the Puget Sound region of Washington state.