The Roaring 10 – Page 3 – Clemson Alumni Association

Captain Joseph Branch II ’05

October 20, 2015/in The Roaring 10

Captain Joseph Branch II is a 2005 Clemson graduate and a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School. He has been deployed eight times since graduation in 2005. Over the years he has been selected for the most coveted duty positions in his profession and his outstanding performance in the U.S. Army Special Operations command led to his selection as an Army Inter-Agency Fellowship with the National Geo-Spacial Agency where he is assigned today.

He remains active in local veteran affairs initiatives in the military communities where he resides. He was responsible for over 20 community engagement events annually in the Savannah area for Ranger families and the local communities. He and his family are also very active in their church community. He is an avid supporter of Clemson’s ROTC program and Tiger athletics. He is able to provide both formal and informal mentoring to Clemson alumni in the military. When able, he and his family travel back to Clemson for athletic events.

Jessica Barron Martin ’07, M’09

October 20, 2015/in The Roaring 10

Jessica Barron Martin is a 2007 undergraduate and 2009 graduate of Clemson University, this honoree is an engaged and active member of her community. She graduated from Clemson’s Masters of Real Estate Development program and began her career with Wells Fargo as an analyst in the real estate group in Central Florida. When in Florida, she was a weekly volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, served on the Key Initiative Board for Ronald McDonald House, and was President of the Greater Orlando Clemson Club.

Now serving as Vice President in Wells Fargo’s real estate group and living in Charleston, she is a Board Member of the Carolina Youth Development Center (the oldest publicly funded orphanage in the United States), President of Clemson in the Lowcountry, a Board Member of Clemson University’s Real Estate Alumni Society, and former Co-Chair of Wells Fargo Lowcountry Volunteer Chapter.

Harrison Trammell ’06

October 20, 2015/in The Roaring 10

Harrison Trammell is a 2006 graduate of Clemson University in Civil Engineering, this honoree is an associate at Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP in Charleston, SC. After graduating from Clemson, he continued his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law. He has numerous professional credentials to his name including his Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) AP credential and he is a part of the U.S. Green Building Council in the South Carolina Chapter.

His dedication to his community is evident in his service to his church, Mount Pleasant Presbyterian, where he is on the Stewardship Campaign Committee and part of the Net Ministry Team.

He was highly dedicated to Clemson as a student and has continued his commitment to Clemson after graduation. During his time at Clemson, he was a member of Blue Key Honor Society and was the Tigerama Director in 2005, one of the nation’s largest student-run pep rallies. He was also a member and President of the Student Alumni Council. After graduating he was an at-large member of the Clemson Alumni Council from 2012-2014 and President of the Clemson Young Alumni Council from 2013-2014.

Dr. Darris Means M’07

October 20, 2015/in The Roaring 10

Dr. Darris Means is highly committed to post-secondary education and Clemson University. He graduated from Elon University in 2005 with his Bachelor of Arts in political science and sociology, and graduated from Clemson in 2007 with his Master of Education degree in Counselor Education with a concentration in Student Affairs. Following that, he received his PhD from North Carolina State University in Educational Research and Policy Analysis with concentration in higher education.

He then went to work with the Elon Academy, a university based college access and success program at Elon University for high school students with a financial need and no family history of college. He helped gain a 100% rate of the students in the program being accepted and enrolled in college. He is now an assistant professor at the University of Georgia in the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services and College Student Affairs Administration Program. He has received numerous awards over the years including Clemson University’s Outstanding Alumni for the Master of Education/Student Affairs Program. He currently serves Clemson on the Higher Education/Student Affairs advisory board.

Matthew Bundrick ’07

October 20, 2015/in The Roaring 10

Matthew Bundrick is a 2007 Clemson graduate in Graphic Communications who currently serves as the Director of University Web Services at Clemson, managing a team of talented professionals who design, develop, and support www.clemson.edu. In his previous position as assistant director, he played a critical role in the website’s redesigns and success with strategic initiatives such as the Degrees Site, Newsstand, ClemsonTV and the Master Calendar. He has also been highly involved with the Staff Senate since 2010 and served as President from 2014-2015.

While representing Clemson University staff, he led efforts for Clemson being recognized as a “Mother-friendly Employer” by the SC Breastfeeding Coalition and which contributed to staff giving dollar amount increasing 20% in a single year. He is a certified member of Clemson Young Professionals. He is dedicated not only to his Clemson University community, but also his local community where he serves as a volunteer firefighter in Oconee and Anderson counties.

Matthew Pencek ’10

October 20, 2015/in The Roaring 10

Matthew Pencek graduated #1 from the Calhoun Honors College in 2010 with a 4.0 GPA in Accounting. He passed his CPA exam immediately after graduation and started post-grad at a Big 4 accounting firm, KPMG. He was later recruited by MorganFranklin Consulting where he now leads teams of consultants that advise businesses who are transitioning from private to public companies.

He is a leader in the field for MorganFranklin and has been an integral part of many high profile IPOs. He has been nominated as a ‘Top Consultant Under 35’ by trade associations. He has a heart for service and works with Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Club, and Junior Achievement where he has served as a fundraising lead for MorganFranklin in order to teach financial literacy to underprivileged youth.

He stays involved with Clemson through the Baltimore/DC Clemson Club where he has coordinated volunteer events. He is also a CBBS mentor through the Tiger Ties program and currently advises a junior business student, putting his mentee in touch with his professional contacts. He also stays involved with Tiger Brotherhood and Blue Key Honor Society, organizations with which he was involved while in Clemson.

Scott Sampson ’08, M’10

October 20, 2015/in The Roaring 10

Scott Sampson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Studies in 2008 and received his Master in Human Resource Development in 2010 from Clemson. He started working for Clemson University five years ago where he started as the Phonathon Director in the Annual Giving office for the first 2.5 years.

During this time, he helped to increase the program’s revenue by 32%. He then moved into a position as Young Alumni Annual Giving Officer where he has put together many events that bring young alumni together, teaching them the importance of private giving. Young alumni giving has increased each year while he has been in this position. He volunteers at his local church and is highly involved in the student chapter of the Clemson Fellowship of Christian athletes. He served on the student leadership team as a senior in college and this fall, he will join the Adult Chapter of FCA to better serve this dynamic organization.

After volunteering in the Alumni, Annual Giving, Public Affairs and Donor Services offices while in school, he now serves Clemson University both as an employee and as an ambassador with passion and devotion to the school. He enjoys giving campus tours to prospective students and families.

Stephanie Sox ’07

October 20, 2015/in The Roaring 10

Stephanie Sox graduated from Clemson in 2007 in Agricultural Education and then began working for the SC Department of Agriculture as a Market News Reporter. She worked closely with Clemson Extension agents across South Carolina to present the program at local and regional Cattemen’s meetings. In 2011, she accepted the position of Executive Director of the South Carolina Soybean Board. She works for the 1800 soybean farmers of the state and is responsible for administering the soy checkoff program. She also serves as the Certified SC Grown Palmetto Series project manager where she acts as the liaison between Clemson and Carolina sports marketing departments and SCDA.

Because of her dedication to the agricultural industry, she was selected as a 2014 National Top Ten Finalist for the American Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award. She is involved in many philanthropic endeavors including being an active member of Farm Bureau, a member of Spring Hill Young Farmers, and an active member of her church where she plays the flute in the church orchestra. She continues to give back to the university by being a guest lecturer for an agricultural education class each year since graduation. She is also a College of Agriculture Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) Alumni Board member.

Rick Joye ’97, M’07

October 20, 2015/in The Roaring 10

Rick Joye graduated in 1997 with a degree in Chemical Engineering and again in 2007 with his Master in Business Administration (4.0 GPA). He is an executive at Michelin North America where he has held a variety of leadership and managerial roles. He is currently a supply chain manager responsible for ten manufacturing plants in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. From transforming the industrial supply chain to managing the Greenville plant through the 2008 downturn, he has had a significant impact on Michelin’s business throughout his career.

He is the founder, chairman, and executive director for Sustaining Way, an interfaith non-profit that brings together diverse individuals and organizations to find and proliferate affordable ways to care for people while caring for the environment. They do this through working with their partners in the purchase and upgrade of an underutilized property in a strategic location and the employment of an individual with skills and passion for sustainability.

This individual lives in the home and serves as the house coordinator. The home and landscape is sustainably remodeled to serve as an education center, demonstration site, and base of operations for the coordinator in working with the community to proliferate sustainable practices. With over 35 partners, their initial project, Annie’s House, is located just off the Swamp Rabbit Trail in the historic downtown Greenville, SC neighborhood of Nicholtown. Rick also serves on the board of directors for Genesis Homes, an affordable housing provider in the Upstate. While in college, he was dedicated to Clemson by serving on Clemson’s Student Engineering Advisory Council. After graduation, he served on the Clemson’s MBA Corporate Board.

Brian Collie ’04, M’06

October 20, 2015/in The Roaring 10

Brian Collie graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from Clemson in 2004 and then received his Master of Business Administration degree from Clemson in 2006. He went on to receive his Juris Doctorate at Charleston School of Law followed by his Master of Laws degree in Taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law. He now leads the tax, estate planning, and real estate practice for Buxton and Collie, LLC, a boutique law firm in Mount Pleasant. He was recently recognized by the Charleston Regional Business Journal as one of the Charleston Region’s 2015 “40 Under 40.”

He has also achieved an AV peer review rating as an attorney, the highest rating of national legal service provider, Martindale-Hubbell. He is a sponsor, donor, and ambassador for The Clemson Emerging Scholars Program. He also spends time in service with the Charleston Kiwanis Club, where he holds a chair on their Board of Directors. He has also served as a member of the Clemson University MBA Alumni Council.

Laneika K. Musalini M ’11

January 7, 2015/552 Comments/in The Roaring 10

Laneika K. Musalini M ’11 is director of grants at Tri-County Technical College and a grants writer and administrator for Community Colleges of Appalachia. She also is founder and CEO of Women’s Empowerment. The 2013 recipient of Clemson’s MLK award for Excellence in Service-Community Member award, she was awarded the Duke Energy/Clemson University Center for Workforce Development STEM Innovator Award in 2012.

Raven Magwood ’12

January 7, 2015/562 Comments/in The Roaring 10

Raven Magwood ’12 graduated from Clemson at the age of 19 with a 4.0 GPA. She published her first book at age 12, and followed that up with another during college, 7 Practices of Exceptional Student Athletes. Magwood has written a screen play, “Switching Lanes,” scheduled to be released as a feature film later this year and travels as a motivational speaker.

Tripp James ’02, M ’04

January 7, 2015/30 Comments/in The Roaring 10

Tripp James ’02, M ’04 has founded, operated and harvested several successful small businesses and currently serves as small-business programs manager for the Greenville Chamber of Commerce. A graduate of Leadership Greenville, he has heavily invested his time and talent in PULSE, Greenville’s organization for young professionals. A member of the College of Business and Behavioral Science Alumni Loyalty Board, he serves as a mentor for students.

Thomas Rhodes ’06

January 7, 2015/879 Comments/in The Roaring 10

Thomas Rhodes ’06 heads his family business, Rhodes Graduation Services, and is owner of Sumter Advertising Company and chief operating officer of Custom Bike Rings in Summerton. He designed the 2014 Clemson Orange Bowl Ring for Coach Dabo Swinney. Last year, he helped establish the Distinguished Clemson Athletes award to honor former athletes who are making a difference in their communities through non-athletic endeavors.

George Nathanial Magrath ’06

January 7, 2015/833 Comments/in The Roaring 10

George Nathanial Magrath ’06 is completing a two-year ocular oncology fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. During his time at the Medical University of South Carolina, he was the first resident in South Carolina to perform laser-assisted cataract surgery. He developed web application algorithms for diagnosing complex eye diseases, melanoma and ocular inflammation, which were featured in Review of Ophthalmology and Ocular Surgery News.

Tia Nicole Williams ’05

January 7, 2015/582 Comments/in The Roaring 10

Tia Nicole Williams ’05 is owner and operator of the SERVPRO franchise in Cayce, West Columbia and Lexington. She also is owner and editor of the Lexington Anchor, a monthly online publication. Former secretary and current treasurer of the Columbia Clemson Club, Williams is communications chair of the State Chamber Small Business Council and a company adviser for State Chamber Business Week, teaching high school students about business.

Steven Foushee ’05

January 7, 2015/611 Comments/in The Roaring 10

Steven Foushee ’05 is a project manager for Moss 7 Associates, a construction management firm in Greenville. He is the youngest of only seven registered Design Build Institute of American professionals in the state. A volunteer with the U.S. Green Building Council’s South Carolina chapter, he was in charge of education and outreach for green building initiatives. He is a member of Clemson’s Construction Science Management Industry Advisory Board.

Hannah Hopkins Pittman '03, '13 - Roaring 10 Recipient

Hannah Hopkins Pittman ’03, M ’13

January 7, 2015/734 Comments/in The Roaring 10

Hannah Hopkins Pittman ’03, M ’13 is director of professional development for the S.C. Association of School Administrators. Treasurer of the Columbia Clemson Club since 2011, Pittman led efforts to fund a $25,000 scholarship endowment that revitalized the involvement of Richland County alumni. A member of Women’s Alumni Council, Pittman planned and coordinated “Bring Your Daughter to Clemson” Weekend that raised approximately $8,000 for scholarship.

Brian Ammons ’08

January 7, 2015/609 Comments/in The Roaring 10

Brian Ammons ’08 works in investor relations with Dow Chemical in Midland, Michigan. In 2012 he was one of six people to receive the company’s highest award in both sales and marketing. A board member of Give Us Names, a nonprofit organization formed by Clemson alumni, he spearheaded a partnership with a Chicago-based theatre company founded by alumni to donate profits from a stage production to the charitable organization.

Mary Kathryn Dempsey ’08

January 7, 2015/548 Comments/in The Roaring 10

Mary Kathryn Dempsey ’08 is a senior fundraising consultant for Blackbaud in Charleston. A member of the Charleston Junior League and Clemson in the Lowcountry, she volunteers with the Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center. Dempsey devoted a lot of time to the Young Alumni Council — as a representative, at-large member and president. She is vice chair of the Alumni Council Engagement Committee and a currently serves on the Alumni Board of Directors.

Brianna Apple Woodsby ‘05

June 25, 2014/in The Roaring 10

Brianna Woodsby is a current student in the MBA program at Clemson. Her loyalty to the University is very evident in her endeavors as President of the Spartanburg Clemson Club, an active member of the Junior League of Spartanburg, and an IPTAY representative. In addition to her Clemson endeavors, she also serves as chairman of the advisory board for the Kappa Delta chapter at Wofford College. With a degree in Language and International Trade, she holds the position of International Trade Manager with AFL. A member of Spartanburg Young Professionals and the United Way Young Leaders Society, it is evident this nominee truly upholds the values of the Roaring 10.

Tanner James Smith ‘11

June 25, 2014/in The Roaring 10

Tanner Smith played on the Clemson basketball team for four years and became the first player in Clemson history and only player in the ACC for 2012 to combine +10 points, +5 rebounds, and +4 assists per game for a season. He currently plays in the MHP RIESEN Professional Basketball team in Germany. Aside from his athletic accomplishments, he started “Tanner’s Totes,” a non-profit company helping teens cope with long-term hospital care all over the country.

Benjamin Thomas Miskelly ‘11

June 25, 2014/in The Roaring 10

Benjamin Miskelly was elected as Nashville Area Clemson Club’s President, this young man has demonstrated his true pride to the Clemson name. This candidate is very active in his community—working with Hermitage Hills Baptist Church as a Youth Leader and LifeGroup Co-Leader, with “Rebuilding Together Nashville” on the Board of Directors, and as a Clemson Representative with the ACC/SEC Leadership Council. Holding a Landscape Architecture degree from Clemson in 2011, he currently works as an Urban Planner and Graphic Designer with the Metropolitan Nashville Planning Department.

Victoria Watson Longshore ’05

June 25, 2014/in The Roaring 10

Victoria Longshore served as Clemson’s Young Alumni President in 2011, this honoree has demonstrated her exceptional advocacy and support for Clemson University. During her time as a member of the Richmond Clemson Club, she has organized many events to help the University, as well as those around her. Since her days on the Student Alumni Council, she has been committed to the Clemson Alumni Association. In her community, she serves on the Hospitality Committee within her church and works hard to coordinate several events in support of Virginia Special Olympics. She truly embodies what it means to be a Tiger.

Joseph Nicholas Lane ’03

June 25, 2014/in The Roaring 10

Joseph Lane has upheld our core values of honesty, integrity, and respect. Recently promoted to Human Resource Director for Milliken & Company, this young man has become the youngest in the history of the company. This nominee continues to show his loyalty to the University by serving on the Student Affairs Advisory Board and working closely with the Michelin Career Center, offering advice on how to make Clemson students competitive in today’s professional environment and ensuring current students find jobs each year. In his community, he works on the Board of Directors for the Blood Connection. He was also recently elected as the Chairman of the Spartanburg County Republican Party, again the youngest in the history of the organization.

Steven Epps ’08

June 25, 2014/in The Roaring 10

Steven Epps is currently serving as President of the MBA Alumni Society, our next young alumnus is proud to show his loyalty to Clemson and the Alumni Association. He remains active with the University as an IPTAY member, serving on the Alumni Council, the Greenville Luncheon Planning Committee, and as a Greenville Young Alumni Member. He remains active in his community sitting on two committees for Greenville’s young professional associations, PULSE, and was recognized as volunteer of the month for July 2013.

Shaun W. Cranford ‘03

June 25, 2014/in The Roaring 10

Shaun Cranford has shown his commitment to Clemson through his involvement with the Columbia Clemson Club. Under Shaun’s leadership the club has seen increased membership, added new events, and has raised over $10,000 in scholarships for Richland County students. Professionally, Shaun is regarded as one of the top attorneys in his field through his practice at The Cranford Law Firm. In only a few years, Shaun has built a client base that consists of over 100 Homeowner Associations through the Southeast.

William Richard Cathcart ’05

June 25, 2014/in The Roaring 10

William Cathcart has a well-established global reputation as a journalist, presidential advisor, and entrepreneur; this candidate has truly shown he holds the determined spirit of a Clemson Tiger. In 2010, he was awarded the first Distinguished Leadership Medal for Journalistic Excellence presented by the United States Business Institute. His articles have been featured on many prestigious news outlets including The Daily Beast, Anderson Cooper 360, The National Review Online, Georgian Journal, Humanevents.com, the Buenos Aires Herald, and CNN.com. As Managing Editor of the Charleston Mercury, he has had the privilege of interviewing many world leaders. He also worked as media advisor and speechwriter to the President of Georgia (the country). He continues to work in Georgia in business development and as producer for the country’s largest independent media company. In his philanthropic endeavors, he has become a leader in advocating for Cystic Fibrosis patients.

Michael Blake Berry ’06

June 25, 2014/in The Roaring 10

Michael Berry has made quite the impact on his community through his teaching endeavors. Not only was he named 2011 Teacher of the Year at Pendleton High School, but the South Carolina Association of Agricultural Educators also selected him as the Outstanding Young Teacher. He was named Outstanding Young Agri-Science Educator in the Southern States and on of the top six in the nation for 2013. Adding to his long list of achievements, he was recently elected President of the South Carolina Association of Agricultural Educators and President of the historic Pendleton Farmers Society. This Agriculture Education graduate has brought Thomas Green Clemson’s vision of blending education and science together.

Odessa Sirman Armstrong ’06

June 25, 2014/in The Roaring 10

Odessa Armstrong has been described as having a “good for all” mentality rather than a “good for one.” Her dedication to service makes her an ideal candidate for the Roaring 10. She currently serves on the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences Alumni Board and stays engaged with the Clemson Black Alumni Committee. Currently a member of the Emerging Leaders Development Program in Washington, DC, she works hard to distinguish herself as a professional, while working to serve and inspire others.