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2020-21 Board of Directors

Officers

Derrick Williams

Derrick L. Williams ’99

President

Columbia, SC
Committee: Chair, Executive Committee; Nominating Committee; ex officio member of all committees
AA Board Service: 2014 - present

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Bachelor of Arts - English
Juris Doctor - University of South Carolina

Mr. Williams is a partner in the law firm of Mickle & Bass, LLC, where he focuses on representing injured workers throughout the state. He is also a certified mediator. Mr. Williams is a former Commissioner on the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission and was one of the youngest to ever serve in that capacity. He and his wife, Alana, live in Columbia, and they have two daughters, Regan and Deana.

Affiliations: College of Charleston Honors College Advisory Board; College of Charleston Foundation Board; South Carolina Bar; Secretary, Injured Workers’ Advocates; Past President, Riverbanks Zoo Society; former member, College of Charleston Attorney Assistance Program; former cross country and track team captain.

Elizabeth Colbert-Busch

Elizabeth Colbert-Busch ’79

President-Elect

Mount Pleasant, SC
Committee:  Executive Committee; Nominating Committee; Chair, Strategic Plan Committee; ex officio member of all committees
AA Board Service: 2015 – present

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Bachelor of Arts – Art
Bachelor of Science – Business with Minor in Global Logistics and Transportation
Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters

Elizabeth Colbert-Busch is the Managing Partner of Colbert Busch LLC, a consulting firm that focuses on the nexus of academia and the business world. She is currently working for the SC Aeronautical Training Center at Trident Technical College. Mrs. Colbert-Busch previously served as the Executive Director of Business Development and Community Engagement for the Clemson University Office of Academic Affairs in the Charleston area. From 2008-16, she was Director of Business Development for the Clemson University Restoration Institute (CURI), also in Charleston. In 2013, she took a leave of absence to run in the special election for the SC 1st Congressional District seat in the US House of Representatives. Before her tenure with Clemson University, she spent a 20-year career with Orient Overseas Container Line (USA) Incorporated where she progressed from Customer Service Representative to North America Regional Sales Director.

She has served on more than a dozen boards and community organizations and has earned numerous awards and special recognitions throughout her career. Most recently, she was awarded an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from the College of Charleston. Since running for Congress, Elizabeth has become a prolific public speaker, addressing audiences throughout the Palmetto State and around the US Southeast.

Affiliations: School of Arts Advisory Council; Chi Omega; Charleston Regional Development Alliance Board of Directors; Charleston School of Law Maritime Institute’s Board of Directors; Lowcountry STEM Collaborative Planning Group; Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors; DOE Southeast Regional Wind Resource Center; S.C. Regulatory Task Force Committee for Offshore Wind; Charleston Regional Development Alliance Stakeholder Committee; Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund’s Offshore Wind Awareness and Advocacy team; Past Chairman, S.C. Maritime Association; South Carolina International Trade Conference; College of Charleston’s Intermodal Transportation and Logistics Management Program Advisory Committee. 

Michael Renault

Michael R. Renault ’95

Past President

Charleston, SC
Committee: Chair, Nominating Committee; Chair, College of Charleston Alumni Association Past Presidents
AA Board Service: 2011 – present

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Mr. Renault is the owner of Image360, a locally-owned signs, graphics and displays company that is part of a North American franchise network. Previously he held various positions in the banking industry during his 21-year career including sales and management responsibilities in retail and commercial lending as well as commercial real estate and wealth management. Mr. Renault grew up on Hilton Head Island and has spent most of his life in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. His career has taken him across South Carolina and parts of Georgia. 

He and his wife, Courtney, have two sons and live in Charleston.

Affiliations: Pi Kappa Phi; United Way; Junior Achievement, Charleston Trident Urban League, Junior Leadership of Hilton Head/Bluffton, and the Chambers of Commerce in Hilton Head Island/Bluffton, Greenville, and Charleston; past member, the School of Business Advisory Board at USC-Beaufort; 2002 graduate of Leadership Hilton Head/Bluffton.

Adkins

Randy E. Adkins ’98, ’04

Vice President

North Charleston, SC
Committee: Executive Committee; Chair, Strategic Area I (Stay Informed)
AA Board Service: 2016 – present

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Bachelor of Science—Computer Science
Master of Science—Computer Information Science

Rev. Adkins is a senior consultant at Modus21 in North Charleston, SC. He lives in North Charleston, SC with his wife, Sherlonda Talat Adkins '99, '03, and their three children: Kira, Dyran, and Kayla. 

Affiliations: Adjunct Faculty, Capella University; Vice President Membership, Dolphin Toastmasters; Assistant Pastor, Canaan Missionary Baptist Church; Former Treasurer and Board Member, Fetter Health Care Network; Association of Computing Machinery; Cougar Club Board Member.

Devon-Hanahan-2020

Devon Wray Hanahan ’87

Vice President

Charleston, SC
Committee:  Executive Committee; Chair, Strategic Area II (Get Involved)
AA Board Service: 2016 – present

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Bachelor of Arts – Spanish
Master of Arts in Spanish – University of South Carolina

Mrs. Hanahan teaches Spanish at the College of Charleston, and lives in Charleston with her husband, Bill. They have two sons, William and Thomas.

Affiliations: Faculty Marshal; Past vestry member, Grace Church; past board member, Bishop England High School; Board of Visitors, Kanuga Conferences in NC, Supervisor for Casa Hispana; Chair, Faculty Compensation Committee; Basic Spanish Language Coordinator, Hispanic Studies Advisory Board.

Laurie-Minges-062020

Laurie Minges ’83

Vice President

Mount Pleasant, SC
Committee:  Executive Committee; Chair, Strategic Area III (Give Back)
AA Board Service: 1997-2001, 2020-

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Bachelor of Arts – French

A long time member of the Charleston residential real estate community, Laurie Minges is a Broker for Dunes Properties. Over her 25+ years in the business, Ms. Minges was instrumental in the growth of Mt. Pleasant’s I’On neighborhood, and owned Places Real Estate from 2005-2016. She and her partners merged Places with Dunes Properties in 2016, and Ms. Minges continues to represent buyers and sellers in the Charleston area.

While at the College, Ms. Minges was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She worked in the Admissions and Alumni offices and served as a Student Alumni Ambassador. Ms. Minges has volunteered for the College in various roles over the years and remains eternally enthusiastic about her Alma Mater.

A native of Camden, Ms. Minges has lived in the Charleston area for nearly three decades. She currently resides in Mt. Pleasant with her daughter, Lucy.

Affiliations: Member and Past VP, CofC Alumni Board (1980’s and 1997-2001); Delta Delta Delta Charleston Alumni (Past President, House Corporation Board Member); Ashley Hall School; Grace Episcopal Cathedral; the Junior League of Charleston; Gibbes Museum of Art Women’s Council; The Carolina Assembly.

Brady-Quirk-Garavan

Brady Quirk-Garvan ’08

Vice President

North Charleston, SC
Committee:  Executive Committee; Chair, Finance Committee
AA Board Service: 2016 – present

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Bachelor of Arts – Political Science

Mr. Quirk-Garvan is an owner of Money With a Mission, an impact investment firm. While headquartered in Charleston they serve clients across the country who want to align their values and financial life. He and his wife, Angela, live in Charleston with their daughter, Mae.

Affiliations: South Carolina Student Legislature; Cistern Media (radio and newspaper); College Democrats; Leadership CofC; Board of Directors at Palmetto Project, The Charleston Forum, and Emerge SC; former Chairman of Charleston County Democrats.

Jones

Karen Burroughs Jones ’74

Executive Secretary

Mount Pleasant, SC
Committees: Executive Committee; Ex Officio Member of all committees

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Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Ms. Jones is the director of alumni communications for the College of Charleston. She has worked for the College for more than 25 years, building lifelong relationships with the alumni community. She has two children.

Affiliations: Society of Alumni, Cougar Club, Chi Omega, Chi Omega House Corporation.

Board Members

Lancie-Affonso-2020

Lancie Affonso ’96, ’05

Board Member

Charleston, SC
Committee: Strategic Area I (Stay Informed)
AA Board Service: 2020–

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Bachelor of Science—Business Administration
Master of Science—Computer Information Science
Master of International Business (MIBS) - University of South Carolina

Lancie Affonso is a senior instructor with a joint appointment in Computer Science and Management and Marketing at the College of Charleston. He serves as the Director of the Data Science B.S Program and as the Honors Faculty Fellow and director of the freshmen Honors Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community (ELLC). He has two children; Malaika and Amani. 

Affiliations: Honors College, International Club, Association of Computing Machinery

Morgan-Best-2020

Morgan L. Best ’12

Board Member

Charlotte, NC
Committee:  Strategic Area III (Give Back)
AA Board Service: 2020–

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Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Master of Business Administration—The Citadel Military College
Master of Health Administration—The Medical University of South Carolina

Ms. Best currently resides in Uptown Charlotte, NC where she serves as a skilled executive search professional at Acertitude . In her current role, Morgan focuses on delivering top talent through seamless, client-focused service to companies within the Healthcare, Technology and Private Equity spaces. Prior to joining Acertitude, she served as the Healthcare practice leader responsible for client development and full cycle recruiting within an Executive Search firm and lead recruitment and retention for a large health system.

She has a proven track record of building meaningful, long lasting relationships with both candidates and clients by delivering high quality service in an efficient manner to support her clients’ organizational strategy, mission and vision.

In addition, Morgan provides independent career coaching and development services. She is also the proud owner of IIXC Clothing Boutique which provides chic clothing and accessories for women. 

Affiliations: NAHSE (National Association of Health Service Executives); ACHE (American College of Healthcare Executives). While at the College of Charleston, Morgan was a member of groups that promoted recruitment, retention, and engagement of diverse students on campus.

Tammy Carroll Coghill ’85

Board Member

Charleston, SC
Committee:  Finance Committee
AA Board Service: 2017 – present

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Bachelor of Science - Special Education
Master of Public Administration - University of South Carolina

Mrs. Coghill began her career in special education and non-profits then moved to community and economic development where she has worked in both the public and private sector for the past 20 years. She currently serves as Manager, Economic Development & Local Government for Dominion Energy South Carolina. Mrs. Coghill stays engaged in the non-profit and education sectors through various volunteer and board participation, including leading a team during Sea Island Habitat for Humanity’s WomenBuild Week.

She and her husband Tim enjoy all the natural spaces the region offers via bicycling, kayaking, photography, or just sitting on a bench somewhere.

Affiliations: Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Board, Charleston Regional Development Alliance Board, Trident Technical College Foundation Board.

Conner

Rodney Conner ’97

Board Member

Charleston, SC
Committee: Strategic Area II (Get Involved)
AA Board Service: 2017 – present

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Bachelor of Science - Business Administration

Mr. Conner has been employed with Solara Hospitality for 12 years, and is currently the General Manager of the Sleep Inn Hotel in Mount Pleasant, SC. He lives in Charleston, SC.

Affiliations: Former Cougar Club board member; Current board member of the Charleston Area Hospitality Association; Former men's basketball player.

Crabbe

Linda Swain Crabbe ’78

Board Member

 Sumter, SC
Committee:  Strategic Area III (Give Back)
AA Board Service: 2018 – present

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Bachelor of Science - Biology
Doctor of Medicine - Medical University of South Carolina
Pediatric Residency - USAF Keesler Medical Center, MS
Developmental Pediatric Fellowship- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, OH

Dr. Crabbe has lived in Sumter, SC, for more than 25 years and currently practices medicine at Tandem Health. Her patients are children with special needs, developmental disabilities, learning and behavioral problems. Her husband, Mark, a 1977 graduate of The Citadel, practices surgery at Prisma Health Tuomey. They love living in a small town and have enjoyed raising their four daughters and spending time with their seven grandchildren.

Affiliations: 1770 Society, Chi Omega, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Sumter Clarendon and Lee Medical Society, Sumter Junior Welfare League, YMCA Board, Covenant Place Board, High School Track Coach and past recipient of the DHEC Physician of the Year Award.

Lydia Pruitt Davidson AA Board

Lydia Pruitt Davidson ’75

Board Member

Charleston, SC
Committee:  Strategic Area III (Give Back)
AA Board Service: 2019 – present

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Bachelor of Arts – History
Juris Doctor – University of South Carolina

Ms. Davidson is a senior partner at the law firm Krawcheck & Davidson, LLC. She has practiced law in the areas of residential and commercial real estate transactions, estate planning, community association formation, administration, and other related areas of business law since graduating law school. Prior to entering law school, Ms. Davidson taught 5th and 6th grade English and history at Miss Mason’s School, now known as Mason Preparatory School. Ms. Davidson practices law with her partners, Lydia P Brooks (her daughter) and Leonard Krawcheck.

Affiliations: Former Assistant Charleston County Attorney; Former Board Member for Junior Achievement of Coastal South Carolina, Inc.; Former Board Member American Heart Association for Lowcountry, Inc. (Member - Heart Ball Wine and Art Auction Committee; Co-Chair – Heart Ball Wine and Art Auction Committee); Former Board Member Mason Preparatory School; Former Board Member Dockside Owner’s Association, Inc.; The Garden Club of Charleston (Member – Preservation Gala Committee); Charleston Horticultural Society; South Carolina Community Association Institute; South Carolina Bar Association; American Bar Association; Charleston County Bar Association; First Scots Presbyterian Church; Delta Delta Delta Sorority

Catherine Sandlin Dority AA Board

Catherine Sandlin Dority ’99

Board Member

Charleston, SC
Committee:  Strategic Area I (Stay Informed)
AA Board Service: 2019 – present

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Bachelor of Arts – Communication
Masters of Tourism Management – Temple University

Ms. Dority is the Director of Marketing for Explore Charleston, also known as the Charleston Area CVB, where she has worked for more than twenty years. She is responsible for the coordination and implementation of their advertising and marketing plan to attract leisure and group businesses to the Charleston area. Ms. Dority and her husband, Roland Dority ’91, reside in Charleston with their daughter, Simmons. The Dority family are members of Grace Church Cathedral in downtown Charleston.

Affiliations: Member of Board of Directors for the SC Restaurant and Lodging Association; member of the National Board of Trustees of the Institute for Organizational Management of the US Chamber of Commerce; member of SC Association of Tourism Regions; member of the SC Travel and Tourism Coalition; member of the Southeast Tourism Society; former board member of the College of Charleston Cougar Club; former member of Governor Sanford’s Budget Task Force; Delta Delta Delta Sorority.

Bryan-Eastman-2020

Bryan Eastman ’99

Board Member

Atlanta, GA
Committee:  Strategic Area I (Stay Informed)
AA Board Service: 2020–

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Bachelor of Science—Business Administration

Mr. Eastman is a founding partner and President of Stokesman Luxury Homes, a custom home building company in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr Eastman was previously with IBM, also in Atlanta, where he lives with his family which includes one son, Gavyn.

Mr. Eastman is a Volunteer Pilot for Angel Flight Soars, Inc., where he invests his own pilot time and plane to provide transportation for patients in need of medical treatment far from home.

Affiliations: Sigma Phi Epsilon; Atlanta CofC Club past president.

Edwards

Bartina Lorick Edwards ’87

Board Member

Lake Wylie, SC
Committee:  Strategic Area III (Give Back)
AA Board Service: 2017 – present

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Bachelor of Science – Business Administration
Juris Doctor – North Carolina Central University School of Law

Ms. Edwards lives in Lake Wylie, South Carolina, just across the state line from Charlotte, North Carolina, where she is an employment and business lawyer. Her practice handles business law, which includes entity formations, HR consulting, and advising clients on equal employment opportunities and compliance. Ms. Edwards owns two other companies and speaks, writes, and volunteers to serve her community in meaningful ways. As an extension of her legal practice, she sees her role as an employee advocate while helping businesses understand the strategic benefits of helping their employees navigate the workplace using collaborative efforts.

Affiliations: College of Charleston Graduate School Advisory Board; 1770 Society; GOLD Society. 

Sarah-Exell-2020

Sarah L. Exell ’07

Board Member

Johns Island, SC
Committee:  Strategic Area I (Stay Informed)
AA Board Service: 2020–

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Bachelor of Science – International Business
Bachelor of Arts - French

Ms. Exell is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch. Starting her financial services career in New York in 2007, Sarah has worked in different capacities within the industry including analytical and trading support roles as well as banking and financial advising. Ms. Exell is an active part of the local art community and lives on Johns Island with her husband, Eric.

Affiliations: Board member, CofC Student Affairs Board of Advocates; past President, Student Alumni Associates; Senior Class President ’07; past recipient ExCEL Student of the Year – School of Languages, Cultures and World Affairs.

John-Flack06-2020

John L. Flack ’01

Board Member

Charlotte, NC
Committee:  Strategic Area II (Get Involved)
AA Board Service: 2020–

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Bachelor of Science – Accounting

John Flack is a native of Rutherfordton, NC. After graduation, John remained in South Carolina in the Midlands and Grand Strand. After nearly 20 years in the automotive industry, John has recently moved to Charlotte, NC, and is the CFO for the Mills Automotive Group.

Affiliates: Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Student Alumni Associates.

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Hammond

Rita Hammond ’87

Board Member

Daniel Island, SC
Committee: Finance Committee
AA Board Service: 2017 – present

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Bachelor of Science—Business Administration
Masters in Business Administration — The Citadel

A South Carolina native with more than 25 years accounting experience in the Charleston area. She is an accounting and tax consultant serving high net worth individuals and businesses with less than $100 million in assets. Ms. Hammond has extensive experience with: IRS Compliance, IRS Defense, GAAP Compliance, and small business accounting.  She is a Quickbooks-certified pro-advisor for the following programs: Quickbooks for Mac, Quickbooks for Windows, Quickbooks Enterprise Solutions and Quickbooks Online.

Affiliations: ADPi

Dupree-Hart-2020

Dupree Hart ’19

Board Member

Charleston, SC
Committee: Strategic Area II (Get Involved)
AA Board Service: 2020–

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Bachelor of Science—Business Administration

A native of Rock Hill, SC, Mr. Hart is the son of Terri Joseph and Dominic Hart. Mr. Hart has one sister, Dominique. He attended Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, SC. In 2015, he was named South Carolina Mr. Baseball. Mr. Hart was named 2015 High School Sports Report Class AAAA Player of the Year, and became a four-year starter at the College. 

Currently, Mr. Hart is a Manager at Enterprise Rent-a-Car and resides in Charleston, SC.

Affiliations: Former baseball player

William-Ceth-Land-2020

Ceth Land ’94

Board Member

Manning, SC
Committee: Strategic Area I (Stay Informed)
AA Board Service: 2020–

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Bachelor of Arts—Political Science
Juris Doctor — University of South Carolina

Mr. Land has spent his career dedicated to law. After completing law school, he spent the early part of his career as the Law Clerk for Circuit Court Judge L. Henry McKellar. In 1998, he joined the law firm Land Parker Welch LLC as a partner where he currently practices. His primary areas of practice are personal injury, family court, and criminal court.

He and his wife Amy Anders Land, reside in Manning, SC, with their three children James Ceth Land, Carolina Elizabeth “Bitsy” Land '20, and William Anders Land.

Affiliations: Pi Kappa Phi; Clarendon School District Two Board of Trustees 2004-Present (Board Chairman 2009-11); Clarendon County Disabilities and Special Needs Foundation, Foundation Chairman 2009-Present; Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce, Board Member 2016-Present; Clarendon County Community Development Corporation, Board Member 2009-Present; Congaree Land Trust, Board Member 2017-Present.

Forest-Mahan

Forest E. Mahan ’93

Board Member

Aiken, SC
Committee:  Strategic Area II (Get Involved)
AA Board Service: 2020–

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Bachelor of Arts – History
Master of Arts – History — University of South Carolina
PhD – Higher Education Administration – University of South Carolina

Dr. Mahan is the President of Aiken Technical College. With 25 years in the South Carolina Technical College System, Dr. Mahan began as a history instructor at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and later became Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at Northeastern Technical College before arriving in Aiken. Focused on the mission to provide affordable, accessible higher education to the greater Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), Dr. Mahan champions the development of a highly-skilled workforce to serve the industries in the region.

Affiliations: South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce, Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness, Aiken County United Way, Savannah River Site – Community Reuse Organization, Rotary Club of Aiken, Aiken Performing Arts, and South Carolina Technical College Association.

Moore

Kirk E. Moore ’84

Board Member

Sewell, NJ
Committee:  Finance Committee
AA Board Service: 2018 – present

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Bachelor of Science – Business Administration 

Mr. Moore is President and Chief Executive Officer of TW Metals, Inc., a global full-line specialty metals distributor, headquartered in Exton, PA. He has held the positions of Vice President, Finance and Administration; and Chief Financial Officer at the company since joining them in 2002. He began his career in public accounting and transitioned to Manager of Financial Reporting for both MEDIQ and PCI. He became corporate controller for Owosso Corporation in 1997.

He has been married to Patty Fralinger '84 for 32 years. They have three daughters and a son. Their oldest daughter, Caitlin, graduated from the College in 2010 and their second daughter, Allison, graduated in 2016.

Affiliations: 1770 Society;

Ashley-Nance-2020

Ashley B. Nance ’02

Board Member

Florence, SC
Committee:  Strategic Area II (Get Involved)
AA Board Service: 2020–

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Bachelor of Science- Business Administration
Juris Doctor- Charleston School of Law

Mr. Nance is an Attorney in Florence, SC, and is a shareholder in the law firm, King, Love, Hupfer & Nance, LLC. The primary focus of his practice is on personal injury cases arising from motor vehicle accidents, trucking accidents and premises liability matters. He also represents clients in criminal cases, family law matters and agricultural cases as well. He and his wife, Danielle Blaker Nance, have two children: Blaker and Eloise.

Mr. Nance is very active in the Florence community. He is a founding member of the Pee Dee Alumni Club for the College of Charleston and has served as President. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Florence County and is a Founding Member of the Circle of Excellence at McLeod Health. He’s a member of the Fellows in Education, Florence County School District, an Advisory Board Member at Signature Wealth, and is a Basketball Coach at Trinity Byrnes Collegiate School.

Affiliations: South Carolina Bar Association, Florence County Bar Association, Criminal Justice Act of 1964 Panel – United States District Court, District of South Carolina, Pee Dee Alumni Club, College of Charleston, Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Mercedes Pinckney

Mercedes Pinckney Reese ’07

Board Member

Lexington, SC
Committee: Strategic Area II (Get Involved)
AA Board Service: 2019 - present

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Bachelor of Arts – Political Science
Juris Doctor – North Carolina Central University Law School
Masters of Laws – St. Thomas University School of Law

Ms. Reese is the General Counsel for South Carolina State University where she serves as the Chief Legal Officer for the University. Her duties include reviewing contracts, evaluating risks, and advising its Board of Trustees, President, and senior administration. Ms. Reese is a former Assistant General Counsel for the College of Charleston.

Affiliations: Member of the North Carolina State Bar; member of South Carolina State Bar; member of the Charleston Country Bar Association; member of the National Association of College University Attorneys.

John-Rutenberg-2020

John D. Rutenberg ’92

Board Member

Myrtle Beach, SC
Committee:  Finance Committee
AA Board Service: 2020–

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Bachelor of Art – Political Science; Minor in Communications
Juris Doctor – New York Law School
Masters Media Studies – New School University
Graduate School of Banking – ABA Stonier at The University of Pennsylvania

Mr. Rutenberg is the Regional Vice President for TD Bank, leading the commercial banking function of the bank for the greater Grand Strand, Pee Dee and Cape Fear regions. Prior to joining TD in 2011, Mr. Rutenberg held various commercial banking positions across his 17 years in banking, including roles in both management and sales.

Mr. Rutenberg grew up in Myrtle Beach. After graduating from the College in 1992, he moved to New York City where he lived for 13 years. While living in New York, Mr. Rutenberg worked as a Producer for CNN-New York and CNN-United Nations before attending law school. While in law school, Mr. Rutenberg worked for the New York City Law Department's Medical Malpractice division. He moved back to Myrtle Beach in 2005.

He and his wife, Kim, have a daughter and son and live in Myrtle Beach.

Affiliations: Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Finance Committee Member; Coastal Carolina University Athletic Foundation Board Member; Horry-Georgetown Technical College Foundation Board Member; 2012 graduate of Leadership Grand Strand.

Stephen Steve Smith

Stephen Smith ’83

Board Member

Greenville, SC
Committee:  Finance Committee
AA Board Service: 2019 – present

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Bachelor of Science – Business Administration

Mr. Smith is the Managing Director of CBRE’s South Carolina office, where he has executive oversight over all operations in the Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville-Spartanburg offices including the Advisory and Transaction Services and Capital Markets teams. With more than thirty years of experience in commercial real estate, Mr. Smith has a passion for connecting the right people and the right skills on every opportunity. Mr. Smith focuses on integrating CBRE’s diverse service lines, including property leasing, management, project management and investment sales to provide comprehensive and creative solutions to clients across the state. Mr. Smith’s first nine years after graduation were spent in Charleston, where he specialized in commercial sales and leasing.

Affiliations: SIOR Designation; Greater Greenville Association of Realtors Member; Board of Governors for the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce; March of Dimes Real Estate Committee; Member of the Greenville YMCA Board of Directors; past President for Carolina’s Chapter of SIOR; Past Regional Director and Board of Directors member for SIOR

Mimi-Striplin-2020

Miwako "Mimi" A. Striplin ’14

Board Member

Charleston, SC
Committee: Strategic Area I (Stay Informed)
AA Board Service: 2018 – present

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Bachelor of Arts - Communication; Concentration in Corporate Communication  

Miss Striplin is the owner of The Tiny Tassel, based in Charleston, SC. She is a former president of the Student Alumni Associates ‘13-’14, and former vice president of Omicron Delta Kappa ‘13-’14. Mimi is originally from Spartanburg, SC and has lived in Charleston for the past 10 years.

Affiliations: Student Alumni Associates, Omicron Delta Kappa, Leadership CofC, Charleston Visitors Bureau, The Rising Tide Society Summerville co-leader 

Suzette-Timme-2020

Suzette Jeffries Timme ’84

Board Member

Arlington, VA
Committee: Strategic Area III (Give Back)
AA Board Service: 2020–

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Bachelor of Professional Studies – Organizational Leadership and Management  

Ms. Timme is President/CEO of Indigo Asset Services, an advisory firm for commercial real estate partnerships and family offices. With over 25 years of industry experience, she acts as an Owner’s Representative, overseeing the financial performance of real estate portfolios. Prior to launching Indigo in 2017, Suzette was President of Weissberg Corp. overseeing real estate investment activity for its retail, office, multi-family, and industrial assets. She was previously Vice President of Asset Management and Leasing for Spectrum Partners and spent over 15 years in mall management including with Simon Property Group as General Manager of Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

Throughout her career, Ms. Timme has served on numerous industry-related, civic, and non-profit boards. She has participated in several mentoring programs and holds four professional designations. She is a former Commissioner for Arlington County Economic Development and past President of Women in Retail Real Estate. She currently serves as a Board Member of Rosslyn Business Improvement District. She is a certified ski instructor and was President for Wintergreen Adaptive Sports.

A native South Carolinian who now resides in Arlington, Virginia, she is married to Rear Admiral William G. Timme (USN, ret.), and they have two daughters.

Affiliations: Rosslyn Business Improvement District, Board Member; Arlington County Economic Development, former Commissioner and Retail Task Force chair; Women in Retail Real Estate, Past President; Capital Speakers Club of Washington, DC; Urban Land Institute; Women’s Leadership Initiative of ULI; International Council of Shopping Centers; Building Owners and Managers International; Leadership Loudoun; Wintergreen Adaptive Sports, Past President, Board Member and Volunteer Ski Instructor; Professional Ski Instructors of America; and Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

John-Wakefield-2020

John D. Wakefield ’94

Board Member

Tampa, FL
Committee: Finance Committee
AA Board Service: 2018 – present

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Bachelor of Arts - English  

Mr. Wakefield is a Founding Principal of VW Multifamily, a private equity investment sponsor and asset manager that specializes in generating long-term wealth and current income for its investment partners through multifamily real estate assets. His company is headquartered in Mt. Pleasant, SC with an office in Tampa, FL. Mr. Wakefield began his career in banking where he held various positions in corporate and investment banking. During the eight years prior to forming VW Multifamily in 2014, Mr. Wakefield served as VP of Corporate Business Development and Strategy for a longstanding Florida family business called Lykes Bros where he lead numerous growth initiatives. Mr. Wakefield lives in Tampa, FL with his three daughters.

Affiliations: Gasparilla Music Foundation, Founding Board Member and Past President; Frameworks of Tampa Bay, Former Board Member, Development Committee; Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Founding Chair, Startup Scholars Committee; Downtown Tampa Partnership, Growth and Commerce Committee.

A. Scott Ward ’85

Board Member 

Pendleton, SC
Committee:  Strategic Area III (Give Back)
AA Board Service: 2017 – present

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Bachelor of Science – Mathematics
Masters of Business Administration, Finance Emphasis - University of South Carolina

Mr. Ward owns Merchants Gate, LLC, a real estate development company, specializing in infill and historic rehabilitation/development located in Pendleton, SC. He returned to upstate SC in 2004 to pursue a second career in real estate. Previously, he retired from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, and Smith based in New York City. His last assignment with ML was as CFO of Equity Linked Derivative Trading. He spent 10 years abroad with ML residing in London, Hong Kong, and Toronto.

Affiliations: Councilman, Town of Pendleton; Board of Regents, Leadership Pendleton; Financial Advisor, Pendleton Historic Foundation; Treasurer and Smart Growth Chair, Pendleton Pride in Motion; Community Council, Anderson District Four Schools; Omicron Delta Kappa; Pi Kappa Phi.

Neysa Williams AA Board

Neysa Burkes Williams ’95

Board Member

Charleston, SC
Committee: Strategic Area I (Stay Informed)
AA Board Service: 2018 - present

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Bachelor of Science- Sociology
Masters of Arts- Business Administration and Human Resources, Webster University

Ms. Williams currently serves as the Community Engagement Director for Joint Base Charleston in Charleston, SC. Her current career began after she retired from the U.S. Army in April 2018 after 22 years of service. Her last position was as the Public Affairs Specialist for Moncrief Army Health Clinic at Fort Jackson training base in Columbia, SC. Prior to that, she worked at the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, as the Director of Public Affairs and Media/ Community Relations at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Ms. Williams lives in Charleston, SC.

Affiliations: Member, Hardin County Rotary Club, Elizabethtown, KY; The Palmetto Chapter of the Association of U.S. Army; Shaw AFB; SC The Boys and Girls Club of America; Veterans Across America; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Ryan-Eleuteri-2020

Ryan Eleuteri ’02

CofC Athletic Fund Representative

Charleston, SC
Committee:  Strategic Area II (Get Involved)
AA Board Service: 2020–

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Bachelor of Science – Political Science

Mr. Eleuteri is the founder and owner of Charleston Beverage Company, a locally owned company that sells and produces Charleston Mix Bloody Mary nationally. Founded in the Lowcountry and still made locally, Charleston Mix is the #1 selling craft mix in the nation, and #5 overall. Born and raised outside Philadelphia, Mr. Eleuteri moved to Charleston in 1998 to attend the College of Charleston.

A 2002 graduate of the College, with a degree in Political Science, he resides in downtown Charleston with his lab Tyson.

Affiliation: College of Charleston Athletic Fund Board, Sigma Nu Fraternity, Student Alumni Associates Past President, 1770 Society; GOLD Society. 

Draisen

Neil Draisin ’65

Foundation Board Representative

Charleston, SC
Committee: Strategic Area III (Give Back)
AA Board Service: 2017 – present

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Bachelor of Science - Biology
Doctor of Optometry – Pennsylvania College of Optometry

Dr. Draisin has been a practicing behavioral optometrist for more than 40 years, having founded his practice, Draisin Vision Group, in 1972. While a CofC student, Neil was a member of the men's tennis team. He is the recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Bailey

Chris R. Bailey ’12, ’15

Graduate School Representative

Charleston, SC
Committee: Strategic Area I (Stay Informed)
AA Board Service: 2017 – present

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Bachelor of Arts – Spanish
Bachelor of Science – International Business
Master of Public Administration — University of Charleston, SC
Master of Science – Environmental Studies — University of Charleston, SC

Mr. Bailey is the Director of Marketing and Admissions for the College of Charleston Honors College. He is also the director and head coach for Without Limits Charleston, a team for endurance athletes.

Affiliations: GOLD Society; Men’s Cross Country; Honors College; Aiken Fellows Society; Schottland Scholars.

Sam Gooding

Lindsey Ramsey ’21

Student Alumni Associates Representative

Irmo, SC
Committee: Strategic Area I (Stay Informed)
AA Board Service: 2020–

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Bachelor of Science: Marketing; minor in Business Language in Spanish 

A native of Irmo, SC, Ms. Ramsey is a senior at the College of Charleston. She currently has an internship with Northwestern Mutual as a Financial Representative and works for Lake Weekend Wear as a sales associate. When she’s not busy with work and academics, you can find her at the beach or exploring the Charleston.

Affiliations: President of the Student Alumni Associates; Sigma Kappa; American Marketing Association; Real Estate Club