Advisory Board Member Profiles

*Ms. Diana Barr

searchu4@yahoo.com

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. 

*Mr. Richard E. Bastin

rebmlb6363@aol.com

Rick Bastin graduated from The Citadel in 1965 with a B.S. in Business Administration and received his MBA from Emory University in 1966. He was in the U.S. Army from 1966 – 1969 after which he went to work in the family business. Rick became the owner of the business, Mercedes-Benz of Palm Beach, in 1969 and sold it in 2006. Throughout the years he has served on the South Florida Automobile Dealers Association Board. For ten years he was on the Mercedes-Benz Dealers Council and Dealers Board. Rick and his wife Mary Lee are the proud parents of two children, Brian and Wendy and three grandchildren.

*Ms. Claire Bilby

Claire.bilby@disney.com

Claire Bilby is Senior Vice President of Emerging Businesses for Disney Signature Experiences. Bilby is responsible for the development of new experiences beyond theme parks, including Storyliving by Disney – master-planned communities intended to inspire residents to foster new friendships, pursue their interests and write the next exciting chapter of their lives.

Known as an inspirational and innovative leader, Bilby began her career with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in 1988 and has held executive leadership positions around the world. Before being named to her current role, she served as Senior Vice President for multiple businesses, including Sales, Services and Events for Disney Destinations, Sales and Marketing for Disneyland Paris and Europe, Disney Vacation Club, Distribution Marketing, and Asia Pacific Sales.

Throughout her Disney career, she has led teams on several continents and helped launch multiple Disney theme parks, including Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disneyland Resort Paris, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

Bilby has served on numerous industry boards including Visit Florida, Orange County Tourism Development Council (Florida), California Tourism Commission, and Orange County Tourism Council (California).

Bilby grew up in Arizona and is a graduate of University of Arizona. She lives in Orlando, Florida.

*Mr. Anthony T. “Tony” Brevard

Principal, Bank Nucleus/7(a) Funding Group
tbrevard@7aFunding.com
www.7aFunding.com

Tony Brevard is the Principal of Bank Nucleus -a company designed to serve as “the outsource source for banks.” He has 25+ 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. They are best known as being the largest SBA loan source for Allstate Insurance agencies in the United States.
• Advanced Loan Packaging Corporation (“ALPC”) – A loan servicing provider for banks that either don’t have the capacity or the desire to service their SBA loans, ALPC has the ability to do all facets of a loan transaction (from processing to funding to collections).
• SBA Loan Exchange, LLC – 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 now make a profit on their quality deals 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 for another bank in need of such loans to fund it. The funding bank pays a small premium after funding, and the placement bank gets a bump in non-interest income from the premium received.

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.

*Mr. Christopher “Chris” Brown

General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada
brownbca@gdls.com

Chris Brown is the Vice President for Business Development and Strategy at General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada, appointed in July of 2014. His responsibilities in this role include customer outreach for all international markets (non-U.S.) for the company’s range of products including the Light Armoured Vehicle, Stryker, M1 Abrams and Mine-Protected Vehicles. Brown directs a global team of business developers that work to strengthen GDLS’ market position in Canada and other international markets including Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia and the Pacific Rim. This position is focused on building key relationships across a global customer base at senior levels of government and industry to establish new sales channels. Chris is based in London, Ontario, Canada. Prior to his current role, Chris was the Vice President of GDLS – Force Protection based in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. In this role, he had operational oversight of both US and UK operations. Other prior assignments at GDLS include the Director of International Business Development and Advanced Programs and Director of Strategic Planning. Mr. Brown has an International MBA from the University of South Carolina, an MA in War Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada, and a BA from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. As a member of the Canadian Army Reserve for the past thirty-one years, Mr. Brown holds the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and serves as the Deputy Director (Reserve) of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC).

*Mr. Curtis Campbell

curtis.campbell@taxact.com

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.

*Mr. Lonnie Carter

Retired President and Chief Executive Officer
Santee Cooper
lncarter1982@gmail.com

Lonnie Carter (Class of 1982) has recently retired as president and chief executive officer of Santee Cooper, South Carolina’s state-owned electric utility, with more than thirty five years’ experience in the electric utility industry. Carter lead the state’s largest power producer, supplying electricity to more than 176,000 retail customers in Berkeley, Georgetown and Horry counties, the state’s 20 electric cooperatives and to 28 large industrial facilities, among others. Under his leadership, Santee Cooper has led the state with renewable energy developments, expanded its energy efficiency and conservation programs and maintained some of the highest rated municipal credit ratings while balancing the growing energy needs of South Carolina. His focus on low cost and reliable power served as a constant reminder to the 1760 employees at Santee Cooper who work in this rapidly changing industry. 

Carter is Past Chairman of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, Trident United Way, Large Public Power Council, and American Public Power Association (APPA) Board of Directors.  He served on the Board of The Energy Authority, an energy trading company headquartered in Jacksonville Florida. In 2012 he received APPA’s highest honor, the Alex Radin Distinguished Service Award and in 2015 the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce name him Business Leader of the Year. In addition, Carter received the Alvah H. Chapman Distinguished Leadership Award at the Citadel School of Business Administration’s Hall of Fame in April 2005. The Citadel Board of Visitors conferred an honorary Doctorate of Commerce to Carter in 2016.  He earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA at The Citadel where he is a frequent speaker.  He is active in numerous organizations, is married, and has three adult children.

*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.

hpd42@yahoo.com

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.

*Mr. Robert A. Fielitz

fielitzra@aol.com 

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

gfsports24@gmail.com

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.

COL Ephraim Grubbs III (Retired)

Colonel Ephraim E. Grubbs, III former 60^th 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 217^th (PSB Butner, NC), Brigade 60^th 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
Comerica Bank
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

dvharper@comcast.net

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

jay.keenan@pcpsc.com

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

jamiekerr@amcs-inc.com

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

billklich66@gmail.com

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 

clawless@mesirowfinancial.com

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

llathren@sc.rr.com

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.

*Ms. Nancy Mace 

nancy@nancymace.org

The Honorable Nancy Mace graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Business from The Citadel in 1999 and was the first woman to graduate from The Citadel Corps of Cadets. She received her Master of Arts degree in Mass Communication from the University of Georgia. She has nearly 20 years of experience in business. She has worked with startups, entrepreneurs, small businesses, billion dollar publicly traded entities and political candidates. She is the 2014 Young Alumnus of the Year recipient with The Citadel Alumni Association. She is a past member of the national board of directors for the Medal of Honor Bowl Game. She is a past board member of The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes Association. She is also a past board member of Childspring International, a faith-based nonprofit that provides life-saving medical treatment to children. Nancy is past president of the Greater Atlanta Citadel Alumni Club; a past district director for The Citadel Alumni Association; past panelist on the 12th Annual Conference of Women in Higher Education; and participant in the Corbin Council conference on Assimilation of Women at Military Colleges. She is the author of “In the Company of Men: A Woman at The Citadel” (Simon and Schuster 2001). Pat Conroy, author of the Prince of Tides and Lords of Discipline, dubbed this work “The best book about The Citadel ever written…”  Today she is a REALTOR with Keller Williams Commercial in Charleston and member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. She resides on Daniel Island.

Kirk McMillan

kirk@people-surge.com

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@marion-square.com

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

rdmoseley74@gmail.com

• 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. Brice O’Brien

*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. Edward T. Pendarvis

Chairman Emeritus
Sunbelt Business Advisors Network, LLC
etp@sunbeltnetwork.com

Ed Pendarvis is Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Sunbelt Business Advisors Network, LLC, the largest small business brokerage network in the world with 350+ offices in the United States and 11 foreign countries. He is a 1965 graduate of The Citadel and served two years active duty in the U.S. Army Artillery.  Ed served as Director of The American Legion Palmetto Boys State Program for 11 years and served as Chairman of the S.C. Department of Youth Service Board (Juvenile Correction and Aftercare) for 6 years.  He received the state’s highest civilian award, The Order of the Palmetto, in 1978 by the Honorable James B. Edwards, Governor, and received the Order of the Palmetto in 1983 by the Honorable Richard W. Riley, Governor.  Ed has been a Real Estate Broker since 1970 and started in business brokerage in 1982.  He serves as a member of the Better Business Bureau Board, The Palmetto Boys State Committee, the Board of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), The Zucker Family School of Education Advisory Board, and is a guest speaker on the advantages of going into business for yourself and providing your own job security.  Ed was inducted into the Citadel School of Business’ Hall of Fame in 2007 due to his extensive contributions of working with small businesses. Married to the former Elaine Bowen of Charleston, Ed has 5 beautiful daughters and 10 wonderful grandchildren.  The Good Lord has Truly, Truly Blessed Us!

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 four wonderful grandchildren.

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

dsaulnier89@comcast.net

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. Peter Sulick

Chairman, President/CEO
psulick@dynasil.com

Peter Sulick is currently Chairman, Board of Directors, President and CEO of Dynasil Corporation, a public corporation in the research and photonics industries.   He is also President and CEO of AmeriSite LLC, a family owned real estate development and investment Company and a member of the board and former CEO of Prism Microwave, Inc., a company which makes RF Conditioning products for the mobile wireless industry. Mr. Sulick is an entrepreneur with extensive background in building media and technology companies, executing their business strategy and building operations.  Over the past 30 years he has founded four companies, including Independence Broadcasting Corporation, PowerFone Inc., SSPCS Corp. and AmeriSite, LLC.  Independence Broadcasting owned and operated nine radio stations in five Midwest markets.  Mr Sulick founded IBC in 1985 grew it to approximately $15.0 mil in revenue and 200 employees and liquidated the radio properties between 1995 and 1998.  PowerFone, Inc, which Mr. Sulick and two partners founded in 1990, owned and operated specialized mobile radio operations across parts or all of seven states.  PowerFone was sold in 1994 to Nextel Communications and became part of the Nextel nationwide network.  Mr. Sulick and one partner founded SSPCS Corp in 1993 for purposes of bidding on and operating digital cellular licenses being auctioned by the FCC.  SSPCS was successful in acquiring 14 licenses across five markets.   In conjunction with VoiceStream Corp., SSPCS operated these licenses until 2002 when VoiceStream, along with SSPCS, was acquired by Deutsch Telecom and became part of the T-Mobile nationwide network.  AmeriSite, started in 1998, makes direct private equity investments in real estate and  other investment classes on behalf of the Sulick family.  Mr. Sulick has served on numerous corporate boards over the past 35 years including Intersoft Corporation, Data National Corporation, Medical eNetwork Inc., RocketBoard, Inc., Without – A – Box, Inc., FineMark National Bank and Trust, Inc., Prism Microwave, Inc and others.  He has also served as Board Chair – Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, Inc., Treasurer and Director of The Community School of Naples and is currently a Board Member, The Citadel Foundation Inc.  Mr. Sulick has served on the Board of the Port Royal Club and is a past Commodore of the Naples Yacht Club, Inc.  In the early part of his career, Mr. Sulick was a principal financial officer for Cablevision Systems Corporation where he participated directly in the company’s IPO, numerous large debt and equity financings, a $350 million leveraged buyout, cable franchising and a host of other transactional activities.  He also held several senior-level financial positions at Communications Operations Group of ITT, a forty-company group of voice, data, long lines and switched telephone and data services companies.  He began his career at Arthur Andersen & Co, in New York City following graduate school.   Peter, a CPA, earned his MBA in finance in 1973 from the University of Massachusetts and a B.S. in Business Administration from The Citadel in 1972.  He was honored in 2015 with an Honorary Doctorate in Entrepreneurship from The Citadel.  Peter and his wife, Margaret, have a grown daughter, a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a grown son, a graduate of Wake Forest University and The Institute For World Politics in Washington, D.C.  Mrs. Sulick was elected to serve on the City Council for the City of Naples, Florida in January, 2008, reelected in 2012 and retired in 2016 as the Vice Mayor of the City of Naples.  Peter and Dee have 6 grandchildren.

*Mr. Chris Sullivan

Global Director of Worldwide System Integrators and Strategic Alliances, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Chris Sullivan is the Global Director of Worldwide System Integrators and Strategic Alliances for Amazon Web Services (AWS). In this role, he is responsible for the strategy and execution of a business that spans thousands of partnerships across the AWS Partner Network. Chris leads a global organization of alliance leaders, partnership development managers, and solution architects who work to enable AWS Partners to develop successful business in support of customer adoption of the AWS Cloud.
Prior to joining AWS, Chris held executive sales and business development roles at multiple software, and cloud technology companies to include Cisco Systems, VCE, Hortonworks, and Turbonomic. Throughout his career, he has maintained a continuous focus on building high performing organizations focused on driving results while emphasizing positive leadership and supportive, challenging cultures.
Prior to his career in technology, Chris served as an Infantry Officer in the United States Marine Corps, completing his service as a Major. He served as a Platoon Commander and Weapons Company Executive Officer with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division and following 9/11 returned to active duty with 1st Battalion, 25th Marines assigned to 2nd Marine Division.
Chris is a member of The Citadel Class of 1995 (Hotel Company) and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. Chris and his wife Denise are members of the Summerall and Legacy Societies and are active supporters of The Citadel Foundation. Chris and Denise live on Cape Cod in Massachusetts and have one son, Chris Sullivan Jr, who is a member of The Citadel Class of 2023 (Hotel Company).  

*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

ttiv@me.com

“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

micklea798@cs.com

“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.