National Board of Directors
Chairman
Dr. Tierney Bates
BA ’99, MA ’02
Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
University of South Carolina Upstate
Vice-Chair
Joni Fitch
BA ’07
Director, Community Affairs & Engagement
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Tracy S. Dowe, III
BSBA ’01
City President, Akron / Canton / Youngstown
Fifth Third Bank
Theron Brown
BM ’13, MM'22
Pianist, Composer, Educator
Theron Brown Music
Kevin Burwell
JD '19
General Counsel
Knight Material Technologies
Amber Genet Barkoukis
BA '06 MA '14
Executive Director Embracing Futures, Inc.
Dr. Eric Butler
BA'10
Attorney
U.S. Department of the Air Force
Eufrancia Lash
BA ’96
Deputy Director Of Public Service And Neighborhood Assistance
The City of Akron
Laura Cessna
MSE'11
University Director of Career Services and Alumni Relations
South University
Shon Christy
BSBA'00, MSE'09
Founder and President
Shon Christy Social Media
Jeff Flowers
BS'07
CEO
Swensons
Dr. Jacquelyn R. Jones
BS'01, MS'03
Assistant Vice President for Student Success
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
Founder & CEO
Pathway to Purpose Consulting, LLC
Cristina Pastore
BS '03
Vice President
Kimley-Horn Consulting Firm
Andrea Ponikvar
BBA '12
VP of Philanthropy
Cleveland Zoological Society
Rhonda Winslow
BSA '09, MBA '17
Vice President of Development Finance
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority
Romeo Travis
BAMS '19
Entrepreneur
Ex-Officio Members
Brian L. Cherkala
JD ’78
Senior VP and National Director of Field Fiduciary Adm.
KeyBank
Kim M. Cole
BA ’93, MPA ’95
Vice President, Development
Executive Director UA Foundation
The University of Akron
Christine Franz
'93
Senior Administrative Assistant
Alumni Relations
The University of Akron
Trina M. Carter
’92, ’98
Board of Trustees
The University of Akron
Nicole “Nikki” L. Douglas
BSED ’07
Immediate Past President
Stay at Home Parent
Willy R. Kollman
BA ’08, MAED ’10
Assistant Vice President
Alumni Relations
The University of Akron
Casey Davis
JD '14
Partner
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith