SUU - Alumni & Friends: National Alumni Board

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National Alumni Board

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 four children. 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 American Samoa 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.

Betsy Miller-Carlile ('03 Communications, Broadcast Journalism), currently serves as President of the Iron County Chapter of the Alumni Association. After an LDS Mission, Betsy relocated to Cedar City from Southern California to complete her schooling. Contingent on graduating, she was hired by The Spectrum/Daily News to work as a reporter covering cops and court for the Cedar City bureau. Since graduation she has actively participated in the Iron County Alumni Chapter and loves the camaraderie. She moved on from the paper in May 2006 and is now enjoying a much slower pace as Cedar City Police Chief Bob Allinson's executive secretary.

E. Val Clark (’50 Science), served as class president his freshman year and student body president the next year at BAC. Val then attended USC School of Dentistry, also being elected junior class president and as a Senior, student body president. Val is very actively involved in the Southern California community, serving on numerous boards and committees, including the 1984 Olympic Summer Games as Commissioner for the Board Sailing Exhibition. He is a successful real estate owner and is married to Marilyn Estes Clark. They are the parents of two children.

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.

Justin Harding (’00 Political Science), was recently promoted to the position of Legislative Director in the office of Congressman Rob Bishop (UT-01). As Legislative Director, he will ensure the Congressman’s overall legislative and policy goals are accomplished. He serves as President of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the Alumni Association. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Latter-day Saint Congressional Staff Organization. Justin is married to the former Bridget Millsaps and resides in Northern Virginia with his wife and two children.

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.

Charlie Jackson (’53 Associate in Science), was born in Fillmore, Utah, and is currently President of Jackson Advisors headquartered in St. George, Utah. He has been involved in many national and international professional organizations dealing mainly with employee benefit plans. Additionally, he served as a Commission member of the 1984 L.A. Summer Olympics, and is a member of SUU’s Board of Fellows.

Clarence L. Jolley ('54 Education) and his wife Dorothy are serving a mission in Nice, France for eighteen months. He is currently the President and Chairman of the Board of Dixie Springs, Inc. (a large development in Washington County in Utah.) He was also President of Dial-A-Gift, Inc., Domestic Credit Corporation, past Director of E-Data Corporation, and several National and International companies. Clarence and his late wife, Mary Lou Pendleton Jolley attended Southern Utah University.

Elyce Jones (’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.

Ben Kroff (’02 Communications) has spent the last eight years with Boulevard Home Furnishings in St. George, Utah. He enjoys being part of the Human Resource department and is currently putting his communications degree to use by overseeing the Boulevard's Training and Development. He conducts and facilitates classes on Customer Service, Team Work, Communications, and other business related courses. He is married to Chelsi (Kidd) Kroff and they have two girls, Brigitta and Grace. Ben came on as President of the Washington County Chapter after participating in the first annual Washington County Chapter scholarship golf tournament. "I was very impressed with the caliber of people who were in this chapter, and I wanted to be a part of it too" He invites all SUU alumni in the Washington county area to come get involved and get to know other SUU alums who are making a difference in Washington County.

Jeric Leavitt (’03 Business), is living in Las Vegas with his wife, Natalie (’02 Science), and their two children Carter (3) and Eden (1). He works for the family insurance business, The Leavitt Agency, writing commercial insurance for local businesses. Jeric and Natalie feel it is important to stay connected to the University that gave so much to them.

Mechelle Mellor Mechelle Mellor is an Associate Vice President for Zions Bank’s Private Banking. She received her Associates Degree from Snow College and her Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Utah Unviversity. Mechelle has been with Zions Bank 8 ½ years. She worked for CTG (Computer Task Group) and Southern Utah University prior to that. She is involved in providing service to Southern Utah University through the Salt Lake Alumni Chapter and the Alpha Phi Sorority on Southern Utah University’s campus.Mechelle is also involved with volunteering in Salt Lake. She is a volunteer for the Utah Symphony and Opera, Ronald McDonald House Charities Gala Committee and Executive Women International.

Steven Messer (’94 Business), is a Phoenix attorney licensed to practice before the U.S. District Court in Arizona. He has served as President of the Arizona Chapter of the SUU Alumni Association since its inception. He is the son of Richard and Joyce Messer of Cedar City. He and his wife Michelle are the proud parents of six children.

Kristian J. Olsen (’00 Business Management), is SUU Alumni Representative in the Northwest Area serving the Portland and Seattle. While at SUU he served a student body president. He recently completed his master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs at U-Conn. He and his family reside in New Jersey where he is Senior Success Coach for Inside Track.

Connie Pitt (’84 Education), a native of Salt Lake City, first came to school at Southern Utah State College in 1974 with her husband Greg four days after they were married. Connie was instrumental in helping and supporting the organization of the Southern Nevada SUU Alumni Chapter and served as its first secretary and chaired the inaugural fund raising dinner at the Stratosphere. Connie is a top-producing loan officer with Direct Access Lending in Las Vegas.

Greg Pitt (’71 Education), serves as the Past President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Greg taught band in high school for 20 years, garnering many state championship awards and receiving national recognition honors. Nine years ago, Greg moved to Las Vegas where he founded and developed Home Quest USA with his wife Connie and son Seth. They are actively involved in the Las Vegas Chapter of the SUU Alumni Association. He continues to perform with groups at UNLV and Clark County Community College.

John R. Redd (’97 Psychology), serves as President of the Salt Lake Chapter of the Alumni Association. He 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.

William Mark Russell (’74 Accounting), currently serves as the President of the National Alumni President. 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.

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 of the Alumni Association.

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.

Ted C. Whitaker (’71 Language), currently serves as 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.

Photo: Jennifer Wilkey Jennifer Allen Wilkey ('99 Family and Consumer Science) currently serves as the Northeast Chapter President and was one of the original group to form a Northeast alumni chapter in Connecticut. Her most memorable moments in college were as a vocalist in the music dept. A mother of 3 children, Jen is active in several community organizations. She and husband, Nathan love the cultural enrichment and diversity in New England.

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