Proposed Slate: 2026-28 Board of Directors & CofC Trustee
Officers
Brady Quirk-Garvan ’08
President
North Charleston, SC
AA Board Service: 2016-2022, 2024-present
BA, Political Science, College of Charleston
Brady Quirk-Garvan is a member of Natural Investments PBLLC, an impact investment firm that is the first financial services company in the country to be owned by a perpetual purpose trust. He has been involved in social impact investing for over a decade and is involved in multiple trade groups that promote impact investments. Additionally, Mr. Quirk-Garvan is involved in SC politics and has served as an advisor and campaign consultant to multiple elected officials in South Carolina over the last two decades. While at the College of Charleston, Mr. Quirk-Garvan was a political science major who was able to participate in a study abroad program in Havana, Cuba. He lives with his wife, Angela, and their daughter, Mae ’39, in North Charleston, SC.
Affiliations: Board of Directors for As You Know, Advisory Board for Kachuwa Impact Fund, Board of Directors Green America, Board Chair of Palmetto Project. At College of Charleston, he was a member of the South Carolina Student Legislature.
Laurie Minges ’83
Past President
Mount Pleasant, SC
AA Board Service: 1997-2001, 2020-Present
BA, French, College of Charleston
A longtime 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, SC, Ms. Minges has lived in the Charleston area for nearly three decades. She currently resides in Mount Pleasant and is a proud mother to her daughter, Lucy, who resides in New York City.
Affiliations: 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; and The Carolina Assembly.
Kirk Moore ’84
President-Elect
Sewell, NJ
AA Board Service: 2018-present
BS, Business Administration, College of Charleston
Kirk is President and Chief Executive Officer of TW Metals, LLC, a $1 billion revenue global specialty metals distributor, headquartered in Exton, PA with locations in North America, Europe and Asia. With over forty years of experience, Kirk orginally joined TW Metals in 2002 as Vice President, Finance and Administration, and later became Chief Financial Officer before being appointed President and CEO in 2017. He has a deep background in finance, accounting and executive leadership, with prior experience as Audit Manager at Deloitte before taking financial roles at a number of publicly-owned companies, including Mediq Incorporated, PCI Services, and Owosso Corporation.
Kirk currently serves on the Board of Governors for the School of Business and served on the Alumni board from 2018 until 2024, including as chair of the Finance Committee. He also currently serves as the Chairman, Finance Committee for Spookstock Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the flourishing of Shadow Warrior families.
Kirk married Patty Fralinger ’84 in 1986 and 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. They are blessed with five grandchildren, with one on the way. When they are not in their native New Jersey, they enjoy their home on Kiawah Island as much as possible.
Caroline Bell Stowe ’05
Vice President
Annandale, VA
AA Board Service: 2024-present
BS, Biology, College of Charleston
BS, Biology, College of Charleston
BS, Nursing, The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner, The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
DNP, George Mason University
Caroline Stowe grew up in Sumter, SC, and moved to the Washington, D.C. area in 2006 to attend Johns Hopkins University. She works in primary care with ChenMed as their Advanced Practice Provider manager in Virtual Care and sits on faculty at the George Mason University School of Nursing teaching in their Mason Online Program for MSN/FNP students. Ms. Stowe’s clinical interests include primary headache disorders and women’s sexual and reproductive health. Her husband, Jon, a 2005 graduate of the College of Charleston, is a manager at the Federal Aviation Administration, supporting integration of new aviation technologies into the air traffic control system. They currently reside in Annandale, VA, and are proud parents to two children, Belle and Ryland, two cats, two dogs, and a bearded dragon.
Affiliations: Northern Virginia Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae Association Board Member, Northern Virginia Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners Board Member, Northern Virginia Panhellenic Association, Daughters of the American Revolution, Advanced Practice Provider Education Committee/Speaker for the Association of Migraine Disorders, Washington CofC Club.
Ryan Morris ’08
Vice President
Mount Pleasant, SC
AA Board Service: 2024-Present
BA, Spanish, College of Charleston
MBA, College of Charleston
Ryan Morris is a Senior Human Resources Business Partner for Encoura, a leading provider of marketing and enrollment management software for higher ed institutions. At Encoura, he partners with organization leadership to develop and implement employee strategies and initiatives that align with business goals, including organizational development, performance management, and employee relations. Including his time at Encoura, Mr. Morris has spent his entire career in the non-profit and edtech industry previously working at Blackbaud and Anthology. A member of Pi Kappa Alpha, Mr. Morris volunteered with the Student Alumni Associates prior to graduating with his BA in Spanish. He returned to CofC in 2020 to pursue his MBA with a concentration in marketing, and is currently a member of the inaugural cohort of The College’s Executive Doctorate of Business Administration. Mr. Morris and his wife, Rachel, reside in Mount Pleasant, SC, with their son, Henry, and daughter, Eliza.
Affiliations: Student Alumni Associates, Pi Kappa Alpha, Past President of the Lowcountry CofC Club.
Justin Herp ’15
Vice President
Charleston, SC
AA Board Service: 2024-present
BS, Accounting, College of Charleston
MS, Accountancy, College of Charleston
Mr. Herp is a Certified Public Accountant and works as a tax manager in the National Tax Practice of Elliott Davis, LLC, based in the firm’s Charleston, SC office. He works with clients of the firm across the Southeast to provide guidance on and help resolve complex business tax matters. After graduating with an M.S. in Accountancy from the College, he started his career with Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP (now FORVIS) in Charleston, SC. He later moved to Dallas, TX, and worked for RSM US LLP, before returning to Charleston and joining Elliott Davis in 2023. While at the College, Mr. Herp was in the Honors College and served as President and Vice President during his graduate and senior years, respectively, of the College’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the national accounting and finance honors society. He was also a member of the second-ever class of the Student Investment Program in the School of Business. He worked on campus as a tutor for the Athletics Department and as a desk assistant for Residence Life. He has since remained involved in the College through campus recruitment of current accounting students. He currently serves as the vice chair of the Accountancy Advisory Board and as a member of the Honors College Advisory Board. Prior to moving to Charleston to attend the College, Mr. Herp was a native of Grand Rapids, MI.
Affiliations: Beta Alpha Psi; College of Charleston Accountancy Advisory Board (current vice chair); College of Charleston Honors College Advisory Board (current member); East Cooper Community Outreach (former board member and treasurer).
Ryan T. Spraker ’16
Vice President
Washington, D.C.
AA Board Service: 2024-present
BA, Political Science, College of Charleston
JD, The George Washington University Law School
Ryan Tyler Spraker is an Attorney in the Education Practice of Husch Blackwell LLP. Mr. Spraker represents colleges, universities, K-12 schools, technology companies, and others operating in the education sector. He assists clients in navigating a myriad of issues, from routine business decisions to crises on campus. In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Spraker is a Professorial Lecturer in Law at The George Washington University Law School and serves as a Local Board Member of the District of Columbia for the United States Selective Service System. Mr. Spraker received his JD from The George Washington University Law School in 2019 and his BA in Political Science from the College of Charleston Honors College in 2016. While attending CofC, he was elected Student Body President, participated in Charleston 40, and was a Peer Facilitator within the Honors College. Originally from Myrtle Beach, SC, Mr. Spraker now resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Nickole, and their puppy, Charlie.
Affiliations: D.C. Bar Association; National Association of College and University Attorneys; National Association of Student Financial Aid Advisors; CofC School of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean’s Council.
Meredith Chance Bruce ’16, M.A.
Executive Secretary
Johns Island, SC
BA, English Literature, Clemson University
MA, English Literature, College of Charleston
Meredith became Senior Director of Alumni Engagement for the College of Charleston Office of Alumni Affairs in June 2023. She directs operations for more than 30 Alumni Association clubs across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, to connect with more than 105,000 alumni worldwide.
In addition, Meredith manages individual club events and ensures clubs operate within the Alumni Association bylaws and mission, which is to provide support to the College of Charleston. She collaborates with the President’s Office, Career Services, Admissions, Athletics, Cougar Club, Black Alumni Council, other location-based clubs, affinity groups, and corporate employers in order to engage alumni in events and programs around the country.
Prior to her current position, Meredith was the Director of CofC Clubs and Affinity Groups for the College of Charleston Alumni Affairs office. Meredith first joined the College of Charleston Alumni Relations office in January 2006 as the Events Coordinator, where she coordinated and executed major events hosted by the College of Charleston Alumni Association.
Meredith earned a BA degree in English from Clemson University in 2004 and an MA degree in English from the College of Charleston in 2016. She is a member of Kappa Delta. Meredith and her husband, Kevin, reside on Johns Island with their dogs, Finnegan, Oso, and Roo.
Affiliations: Kappa Delta Sorority, Staff Advisory Committee to the President.
Alumni Association Representative on the CofC Board of Trustees
Michael Renault ’95
Alumni Association Representative on the CofC Board of Trustees
Charleston, SC
AA Board Service: years
BS, Business Administration, College of Charleston
Mr. Renault is the founder and former owner of Image360 Charleston, a locally-owned sign, graphic and display company that is part of a North American franchise network. Previously he held various positions in the banking industry during his 22-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 has two sons in college and lives 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; graduate of Leadership Hilton Head/Bluffton.
Board Members
Rachael Cechak Arora ’11
Board Member
Charleston, SC
AA Board Service: new
BA, Urban Studies, College of Charleston
BA, Religious Studies, College of Charleston
Graduate Certificate, Urban Planning
JD, Charleston School of Law
Rachael earned her law degree from the Charleston School of Law in 2016 and her BA in Religious Studies and Urban Planning from the College of Charleston in 2011. During her time at the College, Rachael worked as an intern at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. After graduation, Rachael worked there as a legal assistant in the civil division. Rachael started her law career as an Assistant Public Defender at the Charleston County Public Defender’s Office. There she assisted clients in all aspects of criminal litigation. During her time at the PD’s office, Rachael was selected to be a part of the Gideon’s Promise Class of 2018. Gideon’s Promise is a national program committed to transforming the criminal justice system by training young public defenders to provide equal justice for marginalized communities. Rachael also spent a year working at Charleston Legal Access serving those in the Charleston area that needed affordable family law and civil services. She returned to the Charleston County Public Defender’s Office in the summer of 2022 and is still currently working there as a Senior Assistant Public Defender. Rachael currently lives in Charleston with her husband, Salil and her two daughters.
Affiliations: ADD
Jennifer Asouzu ’18
Board Member
Columbia, SC
AA Board Service: new
BA, Communication and Theatre, College of Charleston
MA, Higher Education and Student Affairs
Jennifer Asouzu is the Director of Communications for the South Carolina Honors College at the University of South Carolina. The majority of her career has been spent in higher education, with backgrounds in service marketing, enrollment communications, and student and family orientation and transition programs. Prior to her current role, Ms. Asouzu worked as the Associate Director of Family Programming and Communications at UNC-Chapel Hill, Assistant Director in the Office of New Student Orientation at USC, and Marketing Coordinator for SSOE Group.
She has been active in several professional organizations, including NODA – the Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education, where she has served on both regional and annual conference committees, and in faculty positions.
While at the College, Ms. Asouzu was an Orientation Intern in New Student Programs; Martin Scholar in the Department of Communication; and performed in and directed productions with the Department of Theatre and Dance. She was involved in fraternity and sorority life as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and 2nd Vice President for the National Pan-Hellenic Council. She resides in Columbia, SC with her family and golden retriever, Charleston (“Chuck”), lovingly named after the Holy City.
Affiliations: CofC Black Alumni Council; New Student Programs; Center Stage; Martin Center for Mentorship; NODA; and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Ashley N. Cafasso ’14
Board Member
Charleston, SC & New York, NY
AA Board Service: 2024-present
BS, Anthropology, College of Charleston
MPH, Health Systems Management & Policy, Tulane University
Ashley Cafasso is an Associate Director at Apellis Pharmaceuticals where she focuses on GxP Audits, Inspection Readiness, and Suppliers Program Management. Prior to joining Apellis, she worked at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital as a Manager of Business Administration for Nursing after serving as a Project Lead for Enterprise Strategy. She started her career in revenue management at NYU Langone Medical Center. Her most impactful project involved developing operational strategies to meet the needs of sexual assault survivors in NYC and the surrounding area. In her spare time, Ms. Cafasso is a founding member of Radio Lollipop NYC, serving as Station Chair where she oversees volunteers at NewYork Presbyterian’s Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. She also serves as a Risk Prevention Director for Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity, as well as a Social Equity Committee Member for the New York Junior League.
Affiliations: Kappa Alpha Theta, iMentor, New York Junior League, Radio Lollipop.
Carey Ann Cambell ’99
Board Member
Greenville, SC
AA Board Service: new
BA, English, College of Charleston
Carey Ann Campbell is a graduate of the College of Charleston and a seasoned retail executive with deep experience in brand building and omnichannel growth. She most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Southern Tide, where she led the brand’s expansion across retail and e-commerce channels and strengthened its position as a leading lifestyle apparel company. Carey Ann currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Rifle Paper Co., overseeing the company’s strategic direction and continued growth.
Affiliations: Carey Ann serves on the University of South Carolina’s Retailing Executive Advisory Board and is involved with several nonprofit organizations, including the Greenville Sports Foundation and the Metropolitan Arts Council, and is a member of the Junior League of Greenville.
Demetria Clemons ’75
Board Member
Charleston, SC
AA Board Service: add; BOT add
BS, Chemistry, College of Charleston
Doctor of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina
Family Medicine Residency, U.S. Naval Hospital, Pensacola, FL
Bio
Affiliations: add
Michael Covington ’77
Board Member
Ridgeway, Lake Wateree, SC
AA Board Service: new
BA, History, College of Charleston
Michael Covington has spent his career in government relations, with experience spanning community relations consulting, association leadership and lobbying for the construction industry, and public service as an administrator and legislative liaison for the South Carolina Department of Transportation. For the past twelve years, he has worked as a self-employed contract lobbyist, specializing in transportation and conservation.
In addition to his professional work, he has served as Mayor Pro Tem of the Town of Irmo, been part-owner of several small businesses, and currently performs as the resident musician at Historic Camden.
Affiliations: Registered lobbyist for SC Coastal Conservation League, PalmettoPride, AAA Auto Club Group, the Carolinas Concrete Pipe and Products Association, Pacolet Milliken LLC, Savannah Riverkeeper, American Rivers, and the Outdoor Advertising Association of SC. I am a member of Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church in Camden and I am on the Board of Directors for Sustainable Midlands.
Liz Buchanan Crowley ’99
Board Member
Charleston, SC
AA Board Service: new
BS, Art History, College of Charleston
Liz Buchanan Crowley is a proud 1999 graduate of the College of Charleston’s School of the Arts. Many in Charleston know her from her past and present retail days on King Street, but her career spans more than two decades in the sales and account management world.
After graduating from CofC, Liz was recruited by the Donna Karan Company in New York City, where she served as an East Coast Merchandise Coordinator working with major department stores. Though she loved the fast pace of the fashion world, she missed Charleston deeply and returned after a year to continue building her career. She went on to spend the bulk of her professional life as a National Account Manager for Fortune 100 company Ecolab, holding roles that took her from Minnesota to South Africa.
Deeply committed to her alma mater, Liz served as Chairwoman of the Advisory Board for the CofC chapter of Kappa Delta, where she played a key role in securing a campus-owned sorority house. She remains active in the Charleston community through the nonprofit Ibu Movement, frequently assisting with their showroom and pop-up events. She also lends her marketing talents to her husband’s local franchise of Primary Mortgage. Liz is also a humorist and essayist, with work published in The Washingtonian, Charleston Magazine, and Charleston Weddings. Liz lives in downtown Charleston with her husband, Greg.
Daniel Dickerson ’99
Board Member
Mount Pleasant, SC
AA Board Service: new
BA, French, College of Charleston
Daniel Dickerson is the Owner/Operator of Chick-fil-A Dorchester Road and Chick-fil-A Ladson Road in the Charleston area, where he has served the community since 2005. With more than two decades of leadership in business and hospitality, he is passionate about developing people, building strong teams, and creating organizations that serve their communities well.
In addition to operating his restaurants, Daniel serves as a Business Consultant for the Chick-fil-A location at Charleston International Airport and regularly contributes to advisory initiatives focused on leadership development, operational excellence, and organizational growth.
Daniel is an active supporter of education and youth development and currently serves on advisory panels for the College of Charleston, where he works with university leadership on strategic initiatives and future growth. He is also involved in several community efforts focused on mentorship, youth sports, and leadership development.
Daniel and his wife, Marie, live in the Charleston area with their two daughters.
Matt Dorsey ’02
Board Member
Charleston, SC
AA Board Service: new
BS, Business Administration, College of Charleston
MBA, Citadel
Matt Dorsey (Class of 2002) and his wife, Jenny Peterson Dorsey (Class of 2002), have proudly called Charleston home since graduating. They reside on James Island, where they are raising their two sons, Ryder (14) and Miles (11). Longtime supporters of the College of Charleston, they have been season ticket holders for men’s basketball since 2016.
Matt has worked in the mortgage industry for over 23 years and currently leads the Charleston branch of CMG Home Loans. Jenny has dedicated her career to nursing for the same length of time. Matt is honored to serve on the Alumni Board and looks forward to making a meaningful and lasting impact.
Affiliations: James Island Youth Soccer Club board member, LLS supporter and past candidate for LLS Man/Woman of the Year (2015), Top 1% of MLO (Mortgage Loan Originators) 2016-2025.
Stephen Frederico ’19
Board Member
Pittsburgh, PA
AA Board Service: new
degree
add bio and affiliations
Hope Ashley Gethers ’95
Board Member
Charleston, SC
AA Board Service: 2024-Present
BA, History, College of Charleston
AAS, Paralegal Studies, Trident Technical College
MS, Jurisprudence, Seton Hall Law School
Ms. Gethers began her professional career in entry-level positions at various Charleston-area law firms and then switched to healthcare. After many years in healthcare, including direct patient care and pharmaceutical sales, she went back to school to become a paralegal working with in-house legal departments, including some time at the South Carolina Ports Authority where she learned and gained experience in real estate law. Ms. Gethers is currently a Senior Paralegal/Senior Analyst for a national real estate company. A native of Aiken, SC, she joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. while at the College. Ms. Gethers resides in Charleston, SC, with her husband, three children, and two dachshunds.
Byron E. Gipson ’93
Board Member
Columbia, SC
AA Board Service: 2024-Present
BA, English, College of Charleston
BA, Political Science, College of Charleston
JD, University of South Carolina School of Law
Byron E. Gipson became the Solicitor of the Fifth Circuit on January 9, 2019. Prior to that time, he practiced with the law firm of Johnson, Toal & Battiste, P.A. for 21 years in the areas of criminal defense and personal injury, becoming a Partner in 2005. He tried numerous cases including high-profile murder and violent crimes. Mr. Gipson graduated from the College of Charleston with degrees in English and Political Science. He later attended the University of South Carolina School of Law. After graduation, Mr. Gipson became law clerk to the Honorable L. Casey Manning, Chief Administrative for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. In 2000, Mr. Gipson was appointed to the South Carolina Humanities Council Board of Directors by Governor Jim Hodges. He was later elected as the Chairman of the Humanities Council in September 2004. In 2010, he was appointed by the South Carolina Supreme Court to serve on The Committee on Character and Fitness. Mr. Gipson is also a board member of the South Carolina Bar Foundation and is past Chair of the Municipal Election Commission. He is currently a member of the Richland County, South Carolina, and National, and American Bar Associations. Mr. Gipson has previously lectured at numerous legal seminars regarding criminal trials, evidence, and ethics.
Affiliations: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., South Carolina Humanities Council, South Carolina Bar Committee on Character and Fitness, South Carolina Bar Foundation, Richland County Bar Association, National Bar Association, American Bar Association.
Charlene McCutchen Grice ’82
Board Member
Mount Pleasant, SC
AA Board Service: 2024-Present
BS, Biology, College of Charleston
MD, Medical University of South Carolina
Dr. Charlene Grice, M.D. is a board-certified ophthalmologist and ophthalmic surgeon with expertise in the field of corneal disease, ocular surface disease, and cataract surgery. With a strong academic background and extensive training, Dr. Grice is committed to providing exceptional eye care to her patients. Dr. Grice earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston before pursuing her medical education at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). She successfully completed her residency training at MUSC’s renowned Storm Eye Institute, South Carolina’s premier site for the care of complex and serious eye conditions.
To further enhance her specialization in cornea and external disease, Dr. Grice pursued a fellowship with the esteemed Eye Consultants of Atlanta. Dr. Grice holds board certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology and is also an active member of the Cornea Society, an esteemed professional organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of corneal disorders. Through these memberships, Dr. Grice collaborates with leading experts in the field, stays updated with the latest research, and incorporates innovative techniques into her practice. In addition to working with Carolina Cataract & Laser Center, Dr. Grice has served as the Storm Eye Institute Cornea Fellowship Director from 2012–2013 in addition to serving as a clinical professor and assistant professor of ophthalmology for more than 11 years.
While teaching, she received the Pierre Gautier Jenkins Teacher of the Year award for her outstanding work as an educator and mentor in the field of ophthalmology. Dr. Grice’s expertise, combined with her compassionate approach, ensures that her patients receive the highest standard of eye care. Her involvement in advancing ophthalmology and dedication to her patients has established her as a highly respected ophthalmologist throughout the South Carolina area.
Affiliations: American Board of Ophthalmology, Cornea Society, MUSC Storm Eye Institute, East Cooper Regional Medical Center, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, Trident Regional Medical Center, Delta Delta Delta sorority.
Jack Hoel ’22
Board Member
Charlotte, NC
AA Board Service: 2024-Present
BS, Business Administration and Management, College of Charleston
Jack Hoel is an Account Manager at FORTNA, a leading supply chain operations consultation company. While at the College, Mr. Hoel volunteered all four years with the Student Alumni Associates and served as Treasurer of the organization. He earned his BS in business administration and management and is an alumnus of the Schottland Scholars program.
Affiliations: Schottland Scholars, Student Alumni Associates.
Roy A. Howell III ’84
Board Member
Charleston, SC
AA Board Service: 2024-Present
BA, College of Charleston
JD, Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
Roy Howell has focused his practice in workers’ compensation defense for over 30 years and also has more than 20 years of experience handling concurrent jurisdiction matters under the Federal Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. He has been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America for 13 consecutive years, selected as Lawyer of the Year for 2014, 2016, and 2018, rated “AV-Preeminent” by Martindale Hubble, and named one of America’s Best Business Leaders of 1997-1998.
Mr. Howell resides in Charleston with his wife, Ginger, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Tucker, and Golden Doodle, Ellie. He is an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and enjoys playing basketball and hunting as much as his busy law practice allows.
Affiliations: South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Association, South Carolina Bar Association, Charleston County Bar Association, South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association, South Carolina Claims Association, Maritime Association of South Carolina, Propeller Club Charleston, Bishop England High School Advisory Board, Charleston Athletic Fund, Kappa Alpha Order.
Heather Jashienski ’07
Board Member
Johns Island SC
AA Board Service: new
degree
bio
Caroline Kenny ’15
Board Member
Washington, D.C.
AA Board Service: new
BA, Communication, College of Charleston
BA, Political Science, College of Charleston
MS, Journalism, Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University
Caroline Kenny is an Emmy-nominated White House Producer for NBC News, covering the Biden and Trump administrations across NBC Nightly News, TODAY Show, NBC Nightly News, and NBC News Now. She reports from the White House, produces domestic and international presidential travel, and has directly questioned both Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump as part of the White House press corps. Her work on NBC’s coverage of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in 2024 won the Edward R. Murrow Award for Breaking News.
Caroline previously spent six years at CNN as a producer, writer, and campaign embed. She helped launch CNN Newsroom with Pamela Brown and covered the 2020 presidential race from early states through the pivotal Georgia Senate runoffs.
In 2016, Caroline received her master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
While attending CofC, Caroline was active in the Honors College, Student Alumni Associates, Cistern Yard Media and Phi Mu. She served as executive director of the 2015 Dance Marathon at CofC, which raised over $60K for MUSC Children’s Hospital. She also worked as a student assistant in the Athletics Communications office during her time at CofC. Caroline also participated in the Washington Semester Program through the Honors College, studying and interning in Washington, DC for the fall semester of her junior year at CofC. Originally from New York, Caroline now resides in Washington, DC.
Affiliations: White House Correspondents Association, Northwestern University Medill Club of DC, CofC Washington DC Club, CofC Honors College Advisory Board, CofC Communications Department National Advisory Council, Phi Mu Fraternity, Student Alumni Associates, Dance Marathon, CofC Athletics.
Joynicole Martinez ’96
Board Member
Charlotte, NC
AA Board Service: 2024-Present
BA, Political Science, College of Charleston
MBA, Marketing, University of Phoenix
DHSc, A.T. Still University
Dr. Joynicole Martinez is the founder of The Alchemist Agency and serves as President & Chief Advancement and Innovation Officer at Rising Tide Capital, a nonprofit advancing inclusive entrepreneurship. She brings over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, leadership development, and organizational design.
Recognized as a Top 100 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader, she received the Distinguished Service Medal for her work supporting underserved populations during COVID-19. An epidemiologist and advocate for equitable systems, she focuses on initiatives that improve population health and economic opportunity.
Dr. Martinez is an award-winning speaker who has trained executives globally and worked with major organizations across industries. She also contributes to leadership and policy initiatives, including the Forbes Coaches Council, and serves in advisory and board roles supporting community impact. Dr. Martinez serves as a Board Member for Girls On The Run, is the US Ambassador for Diplomatic World Magazine and is a staff contributor to North Carolina’s oldest minority owned newspaper, The Carolinian.
Jessica Norwood ’07
Board Member
Franklinton, NC
AA Board Service: new
BA, German, College of Charleston
MEd, Divergent Learning, Columbia College
MEd, Educational Administration, University of South Carolina, Columbia
Jessica Norwood is a strategic operator and transformation leader with a proven track record of bridging strategy and execution across complex, global organizations. Her career spans executive-level consulting and large-scale operational leadership, including work with Fortune 500 and global technology companies to modernize revenue operations, redesign commercial models, and implement scalable go-to-market systems.
Beyond her professional work, Jessica is the co-host of The Sugar Daddy Podcast, a financial literacy platform dedicated to helping millennials build a clear financial plan, so they can feel confident and in control of their money. The podcast has been featured in outlets including Investopedia, Fortune, CNN Underscored, MarketWatch, HuffPost, The Knot and more. Additionally, Jessica has authored two award winning children’s books. Your Hair is Magic: Bed Head was featured on LIVE with Kelly and Ryan on ABC in 2021.
Jessica is an active community member in the Raleigh, NC area, supporting organizations including the Diaper Bank of NC, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Raleigh Rescue Mission and Wake Up and Read.
She resides in the Raleigh area with her husband, Brandon Norwood (CofC c/o 2005), and two children.
Affiliations: Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity Inc., Past President, Triangle CofC Club (2017-2019)
Tripp Sellers ’92
Board Member
Greenville, SC
AA Board Service: 2024-present
BA, Business Administration, College of Charleston
Tripp Sellers, CBRE Vice President, with more than 30 years of experience in commercial real estate, delivers real competitive advantage and superior returns on client’s real estate investments. He specializes in private capital markets with a focus on investment sales, acquisition, and recapitalization services to provide unmatched exposure to buyers worldwide. Mr. Sellers focuses on the disposition and acquisition of investment properties throughout South Carolina for both institutional and private owners and investors. As a member of CBRE’s Private Capital Group, he has access to a proprietary national database of approximately 160,000 investors, owners, and brokers, with continued live feeds from both the practice group and investors.
Mr. Sellers earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the College of Charleston and has held a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation since 2003. He also holds a South Carolina Real Estate License.
Affiliations: Kappa Sigma, CBRE Investment Properties, Greater Greenville Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Urban Land Institute.
Donnie Shaw ’84
Board Member
Greer, SC
AA Board Service: 2024-present BBA, College of Charleston MTA, University of Georgia Terry School of Business Donnie Shaw is Owner/Vice President at Shaw Resources, Inc., a privately held company in the development, construction, and management of commercial real estate. He serves as the managing member of various operating entities controlled by Shaw Resources. Mr. Shaw was previously a tax professional in the public accounting firms of both PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the state of Georgia. Mr. Shaw earned his master’s degree in taxation from the University of Georgia, Terry School of Business and graduated cum laude from the College of Charleston with a bachelor of science degree in 1984. While at the College, he joined Kappa Alpha Order.
Mr. Shaw is also a member of the Advisory Board for Truist of Greenville, South Carolina, the Board of Directors for Christian Learning Centers of Greenville County, the Board of Directors for the Unilink Group and the Advisory Committee for Young Life of Greenville. He is a former Board Member of the Greenville Tech Foundation where he served as Chairman of the Properties Committee. He is a member of the Homebuilders Association of Greenville, First Presbyterian Church and a former member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Georgia Society of CPAs.
Mr. Shaw enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife, Angela, and twin daughters.
Chris Peralta Thompson ’77
Board Member
North Charleston, SC
AA Board Service: new
BS, Biology, College of Charleston
Ms. Thompson recently retired from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, where she served as Senior Advisor to the Deputy Commissioner. In that role she provided support for the Governor’s Nuclear Energy Advisory Council. She also led a cross functional technical team with members of the Attorney General’s office to develop recommendations for the Commissioner addressing issues with the Department of Energy at Oak Ridge.
Prior to that, Ms. Thompson worked for DuPont and Westinghouse 15 years at the Savannah River Site in assignments that included environmental technical support, public affairs and managing production operations. She later worked as a consultant conducting environmental audits and establishing environmental management systems. She also led development of a customer care program for an Inc.500/5000 software company serving U.S. and international customers.
Affiliations: National Wildlife Federation Board of Directors; Wetlands Watch Board of Directors; Virginia Conservation Network Board of Directors; S.C. Wildlife Federation Board of Directors (past President).
Marty Viser ’90
Board Member
Charlotte, NC
AA Board Service: 2024-present BS, College of Charleston Marty Viser is a fifth-generation native Charlottean in North Carolina and has focused her 20+ year career on making a difference in the community. At First Union Corporation, she helped develop the company’s philanthropy program, “Education First,” and grew the program from 5,000 to 22,000 employee volunteers in four years. Ms. Viser helped implement the nation’s largest corporate literacy event, “Reading First,” led by Colin Powell and winner of the Points of Light Award for Community Involvement from President Clinton.
After the bank, Ms. Viser joined Goodrich Corporation as their Manager, Corporate Affairs. She helped spearhead the $3.5 million capital campaign to build Junior Achievement’s “JA Biztown,” which she eventually left to lead and develop. She later joined Piedmont Natural Gas as a Community and Government Relations Manager and is currently Community Relations and Communications Manager at BASF Agricultural Solutions in Durham, NC.
Affiliations: Harris YMCA, the YWCA, ArtPop Street Gallery, The Mint Museum of Art, Women Executives, Better Business Bureau Foundation Board of Directors, Delta Delta Delta sorority.
Kerry Tipple Watkins ’11
Board Member
Columbia, SC
AA Board Service: 2024-present
BA, Art History, College of Charleston
After graduating from the College in 2011, Ms. Watkins moved to Greenville, SC, where she managed a bridal boutique for five years and was active in the Junior League of Greenville. She currently resides in Columbia, SC, and works at the University of South Carolina as the Assistant Director of Continuing Education and Conferences, where she specializes in conference and event planning. Her events range from multi-day conferences throughout South Carolina to one-night gala events, and she enjoys getting to work with a myriad of clients consisting of both campus partners and external entities. Her career in event planning started at the College when she worked for Gathering Floral and Event Design, and more recently in Columbia working for both Cricket Newman Designs and Historic Columbia.
Ms. Watkins recently launched Cola Connect, a small business designed to connect Columbia locals both professionally and socially through various events. She enjoys life in Columbia with her two children, where they enjoy supporting local businesses and staying active in the community.
Affiliations: Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors, Junior League of Columbia, Columbia CofC Club, Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
