National Alumni Board Officers
William Mark Russell - mrussell@metlife.com (’74 Accounting), currently serves as the President of the National Alumni Board. Following high school graduation in Rockford, Illinois, returned to his native Utah to attend SUSC. He obtained a degree in Business Administration in 1974 and went on to earn an MBA from the University of Utah in 1975. While attending SUSC, he served in student government as attorney general, and was the recipient of the “Outstanding Student in Business” award in 1974. Mark and his wife Jeri (’72 Science), have spent several years
representing the University as Admissions Advisors.
Elyce Jones - melyjone@adobe.com (’85 Communication), was born in Cedar City, Utah, and grew up on a sheep and cattle ranch. She loves the outdoors and enjoys the mountains most of all. She has a B.S. from SUU in Sociology and Interpersonal Communication and a Master's in Speech Communication and Organizational Behavior from BYU. Elyce was instrumental in creating Novell’s BrainShare, Altiris’ ManageFusion, and is currently creating the next generation of users and buyers conference for Omniture. Elyce resides in Cedar Hills, Utah, and serves as
Vice President for Alumni Programs and Services.
Ted C. Whitaker - suu.tedwhitatker@gmail.com (’71 Language), currently serves as Vice President for Chapter Relations and is a former president of the Utah County Chapter of the Alumni Association. While a student at then-CSU, Ted drove bus for the Utah National Parks Service. Following his graduation, Ted owned and operated businesses in Fillmore, Utah, been a mortgage broker and since 1977, he has been an insurance agent with Allstate in Utah County. He currently owns his own agency. He is married to Melinda Whitaker and they are parents of four children.
Board Members
Kristine A. Barber (’72 Music), taught middle school and high school choir for five years, then took 14 years off to raise a family of fourchildren.During that time, she lived in American Samoa and Las Vegas, Nevada. Kristine performed in several musicals and choirs, and while in American Samoa, directed “The Music Man” for the AmericanSamoa Community College. She currently teaches 6th and 7th grade students at an intermediate school in St. George, Utah. She is married to Lu Wayne Barber who plays trumpet in the Southwest Symphony in St. George.
Julie S. Castle (’92 Political Science, History), graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1992.Currently, Julie is a Founder
and Executive Director of “No More Homeless Pets in Utah,” a non-profit organization and program of Best Friends
Animal Society. Since the campaign started in 2000, “No More Homeless Pets in Utah” has seen a 32 percent drop
in euthanasia of animals in Utah’s shelters.
Cyndi W. Gilbert (’80 Business Technology), currently serves as corporate counsel for Gilbert Development Corporation and Crusher Rental & Sales, Inc. In addition to her law practice, Cyndi has been active in the construction industry, the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association, and numerous other boards including the Utah State Building Board, SUU Board of Trustees, and Student Regent of the Utah State Board of Regents.
Janice B. Hatch (’86 Science), while attending Southern Utah University, was awarded the “Pestalozzi Award,” the Outstanding Secondary Education Graduate award, the Outstanding Scholar for the School of Education award, as well as the Outstanding Home Economics Scholar award. After 21 years in the classroom, she returned to finish administrative endorsements and traveled extensively working with educators from across the globe on international economic programs. Her current assignment is Curriculum/Professional
Development Director for Garfield County School District. She says her four wonderful
children and five grandchildren give her the strength and support to pursue her next adventure.
John R. Redd (’97 Psychology), was born and raised in Ft. Worth, Texas. Following SUU, he received a master’s degree in Science at Indiana University. John is an Investment Representative at Edward Jones. He is married to Nicole Marie Walton Redd, who he met at SUU. They are the parents of three children. He is active in community affairs serving as Chair of the Board of the March of Dimes-Utah Chapter, Chair of the President’s Ambassadors Committee at the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, and is a Scout Master.
Sandra Lord Thomas (’93 Communication, ’98 Master of Education), holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from UNLV. While at SUU, Thomas served as student body president. Additionally, she founded the Admission Advisor program, was Director of School Relations, and currently serves on numerous other state and national education associations. Her research interests include public policy and practice, and she is a regular contributor to several national publications.
John Carl Tuft (’50 Physical Education), is currently living in Coral Canyon located in Washington County, Utah. John began his career teaching and coaching basketball with his teams winning two state titles before he moved into administration. He retired as superintendent of Utah's Sevier County School District. He continues to work for three months of the year evaluating schools for the National Assessment of Educational Processes (NAEP) which is a research company contracted by the U.S. Department of Education. He is married
to Melody Cope Tuft and they enjoy traveling.
Chapter Presidents
Iron County - Bruce W. Barclay (’95 Communication), was born in Salt Lake City, UT,he came to Cedar City in 1986 as a student and now works for the University as the Post Office Manager. While attending Southern Utah University, was an active member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and is currently serving as their campus advisor. He also performed in a singing group for two years in the Utah Shakespearean Festival’s Green show. Prior to working at the University, he worked for SkyWest Airlines for 15 years. He is currently serving as the swimming coordinator for the Utah Summer Games, is member of the Cedar City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, is an assistant swim coach for Cedar High School, and a member of The Scarlet and Black Bagpipe Band. He is a member of NACUMS and ARMCUMS, which are professional organizations for University and College mail centers. He is married to Angela Smith Barclay (22 Yrs) and the father of five amazing girls.
Everett Kelepolo - Utah County
Aaron Miller - Washington D. C.
Marcia Nelson - Northeast 
Rick & Lori Perry - Southern Nevada
Natalie Pfleger - Southern Arizona
Ryan Richey - Washington County
Ralph E. Spence (’72 Education), was born in Long Beach, California, and currently resides in Yorba Linda. At the completion of his degree at then-SUSC, he earned an additional degree in Psychology at Pepperdine University in 1974. Recently Ralph completed his 33rd year as a 5th grade teacher in the Norwalk-La-Mirada Unified School District in California. Currently he serves as President of the Southern California Chapter.
Richy T. Steadman - Salt Lake County
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