Previous Young Alumni Achievement Award Recipients
Dion Aviki ’04 Class of 2004
Dion Aviki ’04 began her career in Houston, Texas, where she held roles in sales, marketing and business development within the HVAC industry. She joined Thermo Fisher Scientific’s General Management Leadership Development Program in 2017, where she gained strategy and marketing experience across the life science, biotech and pharmaceutical industries, living in Oregon, California and Texas. In her current role as director of integration management, she leads the overall commercial integration process for a workforce. She is a founding member of the Auburn Engineering Young Alumni Council and served on the board of directors for the Auburn Alumni Association. Aviki is a Life Member of the Auburn Alumni Association.
Read More on Past REcipient Winners
Ashley Robinett
Class of 2001
Ashley Robinett ’01 is vice president of Corporate Real Estate for Alabama Power where she is responsible for managing the company’s land holdings in support of business objectives through land management, acquisition and sales. She serves on the board for Children’s Harbor and the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham and is president of the board of directors for Preschool Partners.
Robinett earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with a minor in business and was the recipient of the 2018 Samuel Ginn College of Engineering 2018 Young Alumni Award. She remains involved with the university through the Auburn Engineering Alumni Council and 100 Women Strong, an initiative supporting female engineering students at Auburn.
She is a graduate of Leadership Birmingham and formerly served on the board of directors for the American Cancer Society.
Dr. Erica Stringer-Reasor
Class of 2004
College of Sciences and Mathematics
Dr. Erica Stringer-Reasor ’04, a graduate in biomedical sciences, completed an internal medicine internship at Tulane University and an internal medicine residency at Baptist Health System in Birmingham before receiving her board certification. Following certification, she completed two fellowships at the University of Chicago, one in Hematology/Oncology and another in Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics.
In 2015, Stringer-Reasor became a Hematology & Oncology faculty member at the UAB School of Medicine with clinical interests in breast cancer, women’s health, developmental therapeutics and targeted therapeutics. She received the Young Doctor’s Summit Award at the 2012 International Gynecologic Cancer Society, the 2013 American Association of Cancer Research’s Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award and the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s 2014 Young Investigator Award. Stringer-Reasor is an annual member of the Auburn Alumni Association. She lives with her husband, Geno, in Birmingham.
“It’s a huge honor to be acknowledged by your undergrad institution. I’m excited to use the platform to encourage other hopeful young physician-scientists, because Auburn has an extraordinary college of science and math that prepares you with a good foundation for future success. With Auburn, it felt like a community—they wanted you to succeed and they had the resources available, all you have to do is ask and they’d give you all the advice you’d need. Dr. Larry Wit, the former Dean of CoSAM, I still talk to him today; I graduated in 2004, and to have somebody of that magnitude still in your corner over a decade after you graduate is absolutely huge. It really speaks to what a wonderful experience Auburn is.”
K-Rob Thomas
Class of 2001
Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
K-Rob Thomas ’01, transmission construction general manager at Alabama Power Co., is the recipient of the Young Alumni Achievement Award, which recognizes extraordinary accomplishments by a member of the Auburn Family age 40 or under. Following graduation from Auburn in 2001, Thomas joined Southern Co. as a transmission line maintenance engineer. In a short amount of time he has progressed through many roles within Southern Co. and currently serves as transmission construction general manager for Alabama Power in the company’s Birmingham headquarters.
A mentor to students and members of the College of Engineering’s advisory council, Thomas established the Dennis Weatherby Annual Scholarship Award, named for the founding director of Auburn’s Minority Engineering Program, through the Alabama Power Academic Excellence Program. Thomas and his wife, Marcia, live in Hoover.
Lt. William Joel “Joel” Shumaker
Class of 2005
School of Nursing
Joel Shumaker served in the U.S. Navy as a Navy Hospital Corpsman and enrolled in the School of Nursing in 2003. After graduating in 2005, Shumaker worked as a registered nurse with the Navy as he rapidly moved up the ranks, being promoted to charge nurse, department head and division officer in three years. In June 2013, Lieutenant Shumaker was deployed to Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, Africa, the only enduring U.S. military base on the African continent. At Camp Lemonnier, Shumaker was one of only four nurses caring for more than 6,200 qualified beneficiaries from all four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Also while at Camp Lemonnier, Shumaker served the surrounding communities by making multiple weekly trips to a local orphanage and to shelters for street children. Shumaker served as department head of the maternal/infant unit at the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, before transitioning to Navy Reserves in December 2014. He currently manages 41 in-patient beds in the medical/surgical/oncology specialties at St. Vincent’s East Hospital in Birmingham. Shumaker has three daughters and is a life member of the Auburn Alumni Association.
J. BENJAMIN CHAPPELL
Class of 2003
Raymond J. Harbert College of Business
Ben Chappell is the owner and principal of Interior Elements, a contract furniture dealership based in Jackson, Mississippi, which represents elite manufactures Knoll, DIRTT, Kimball, and KI. In 2010, Chappell became the youngest principal of a Knoll-aligned dealership in the world. Merging a rep group he founded in Birmingham, Alabama with Interior Elements of Mississippi and expanding into Tennessee and Georgia. Chappell has formed one of the largest contract furniture dealerships in the Southeast with IE’s four-state footprint. Chappell has planned and executed the interiors packages for numerous capital projects, including the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama – Birmingham (UAB), Auburn University, Florida State University, UAB Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Alabama, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Baptist Health Systems (Jackson, Miss.), Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA), the Alabama National Guard, Comcast, C Spire, Trustmark Bank, and numerous K-12 systems throughout the Southeast, including the largest in Alabama: Mobile County (Ala.) Public Schools. Chappell sits on the Advisory Board of Directors for the Mississippi State University School of Architecture and the Advisory Board of Directors for the Auburn University Interior Design program, which has been recognized as one of the top five interior design programs in the nation. Chappell sponsors two scholarships to the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business at Auburn University and two additional scholarships to Auburn University’s Interior Design program in the College of Human Sciences. He has served on the Board of Directors of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) for both the Delta Regional Chapter and the Alabama Chapter, in addition to the Board of Directors for the Young Business Leaders of Jackson. Chappell also helps fund the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi.
He graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and in May 2014, Chappell received an Executive MBA from Auburn University. He and his wife, the former Anna Donaldson of Jasper, have two children.
DIACO AVIKI
Class of 1995
Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Aviki graduated from Auburn with a degree in chemical engineering. He also holds an MBA from the University of Texas. Aviki began his career with ExxonMobil Lubricant and Petroleum Specialties. He quickly rose to positions such as national account manager, natural gas trader and brand manager, and manager for gas and marketing for ExxonMobil’s Gas and Power Marketing. Aviki is an active member of the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council and the Chemical Engineering Advisory Council. He currently serves as regional marketing manager for BHP Billiton in Houston.
“It is an honor and a blessing to receive this recognition,” Aviki said. “I receive the award on behalf of the many individuals who have supported and mentored me throughout the years and most importantly my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’ Philippians 4:13. I would also like to recognize my wife, Angie Aviki, and my parents, Fred Aviki and Sandra Solaiman, for all their sacrifices along the way.”
DONNA BOSSMAN
Class of 1996
College of Education
Donna Staarup Bossman (class of 1996) graduated from Auburn with a B.S. in Math and Chemistry Education, and went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry from the University of Minnesota. She has held roles in research, development, chemical operations and leadership across Medtronic, General Electric, Trane, and currently Ingersoll Rand. She holds two patents in the area of polymer formulation development. In her current role as Engineering Director, she oversees the company’s Materials and Chemistry teams which support the technology, design, reliability and quality efforts impacting a $13B family of products around the world. She was a Charter Member of Ingersoll Rand’s Women’s Network. She was an inaugural STEP award recipient from the North American Manufacturer’s Association, which recognizes women who have demonstrated excellence within science, technology, engineering or production.
“It is such an honor to be selected as a Young Alumni Achievement Award recipient,” Bossman said. “I look back at my academic experiences, personal relationships, and supportive environment at Auburn as key enablers for me to grow and contribute in various avenues. I am so grateful and proud to have been and continue to be a part of the Auburn family.”
JAMES FARMER
Class of 2004
College of Agriculture
Farmer graduated from Auburn with a degree in horticulture. His experience as a landscape designer led to careers in design, wedding planning and writing. Farmer’s knowledge of agriculture and southern cooking has led to his five best-selling books: “A Time to Plant,” “Sip & Savor,” “Porch Living,” “Wreaths for All Seasons” and “A Time to Cook.” His work has been featured on national programs and publications. Farmer is editor at large for Southern Living Magazine. Beyond his professional work, Farmer is the spokesperson for The American Camellia Society.
“I’m thrilled to be included with such a great group of folks,” Farmer said. “Thanks y’all for this honor, and War Eagle!”
KENNETH FIELDS
Class of 2007
Harrison School of Pharmacy
Fields graduated from Auburn with a degree in pharmacy. Soon after graduating, he purchased the 25-year-old independent Waynesville, Ohio family pharmacy. He launched health care programs such as a national pharmacy benefit-management company ApproRX, established a Suboxone clinic for opiate addictions and created Fields Mini-Medical Clinic in his pharmacy. He was named United States Entrepreneur of the Year for 2011 by Parata, Pharmacy Times Magazine and Next Generation Pharmacist and a 2010 Outstanding Independent Pharmacist by Drug Topics. His pharmacy was named the 2010 Innovative Pharmacy in America by Drug Topics Magazine. Fields Family Enterprises was a finalist for Family Business of the Year for 2011 by the Goering Center at the University of Cincinnati. In addition to his pharmaceutical career, Fields has established a financial advising firm, Fields Family Financial Services, and an insurance brokerage company, Hedges Gallery of Insurance in Waynesville, Ohio.
“I would like to thank the Auburn Alumni Association and Harrison School of Pharmacy for considering me for this award,” Fields said. “It is a great honor to be recognized by Auburn University for the accomplishments in my young professional career. I look forward to continuing to grow my companies into entities that will make the Harrison School of Pharmacy and rest of the Auburn Family proud. All of the accomplishments and recognition would not be possible without the understanding, patience, support and most importantly love that is given to me by my wife, Katie (Auburn Harrison School of Pharmacy ’07). A special thank you also goes to my brother, Kyle, for without his business partnership we would not be able to achieve the levels of success that we have had to this point.”
JULI GOLDSTEIN
Class of 2003
College of Sciences and Mathematics, College of Veterinary Medicine
Goldstein graduated from Auburn with a degree in zoology and obtained her doctorate in veterinary medicine. She began her career as a veterinarian and ultrasonographer at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration National Ocean Service Health and Environmental Risk Assessment Project. She is currently the attending veterinarian for the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute of Florida. and serves as the on-site clinical veterinarian for Florida Atlantic University, assistant research professor and attending clinical veterinarian for the FAU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Goldstein is also the president and founder of the Stryder Cancer Foundation.
“I am both honored and humbled to be recognized by Auburn University for this prestigious award,” said Goldstein. “This award carries a special significance for me, as does being a part of the Auburn Family and the proud traditions that Auburn University represents. The time I spent learning and growing at Auburn has inspired and empowered me to achieve more than I could ever have imagined. Now, those many lessons are forefront as I advance in my career, my personal life and in my service to others. War Eagle!”
“I would like to thank the Auburn Alumni Association and Harrison School of Pharmacy for considering me for this award,” Fields said. “It is a great honor to be recognized by Auburn University for the accomplishments in my young professional career. I look forward to continuing to grow my companies into entities that will make the Harrison School of Pharmacy and rest of the Auburn Family proud. All of the accomplishments and recognition would not be possible without the understanding, patience, support and most importantly love that is given to me by my wife, Katie (Auburn Harrison School of Pharmacy ’07). A special thank you also goes to my brother, Kyle, for without his business partnership we would not be able to achieve the levels of success that we have had to this point.”
JOHN-BAUER GRAHAM
Class of 1996
College of Liberal Arts
Graham graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in history. He then earned his master’s degree in history from Jacksonville State University and his master of library and information science from the University of Alabama. He is pursuing a doctorate in higher education administration and serves as dean of library services at Jacksonville State University.
“It is an honor to be chosen as this year’s recipient,” Graham said. “I was fortunate enough to have graduated with great friends (and my lovely wife) who also do great things. They are now medical doctors, lawyers, social workers, engineers and architects. I happen to be a librarian – just as noble and just as important a profession because it affords me the opportunity to serve all of those who aspire to be any of the above. My library career started as a student worker in the RBD Library. Everything I have accomplished in my field is an attempt to make those men and women, and my beloved university proud. Auburn was great for me because of my professors, my friends, my loved ones, my experiences, my hard work and ultimately my education. Auburn University continues to be great because of all of its proud graduates making a difference in this world in slight and grand ways by living up to our creed.”
ROB MCDANIEL
Class of 2002
College of Human Sciences
McDaniel graduated from Auburn with a degree in hotel and restaurant management. He then studied at the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vt. McDaniel has worked for chef Jonny Earles at Criolla’s, Chris and Idie Hastings at their Birmingham-based restaurant, Hot and Hot Fish Club, Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ and is the executive chef for SpringHouse restaurant on Lake Martin. He is also the general manager of the Kowaliga Restaurant. McDaniel has been recognized by the faculty and staff of Auburn’s Hotel and Restaurant management program as the 2012 Outstanding Alumnus. McDaniels said he highly believes in sustainable food and giving back. He is active in Chefs to the Rescue, an Alabama Tornado Relief event, and is the president of the Slow Food Crossroads local chapter.
“It is an extreme honor to have been chosen as a 2013 Young Alumni Award Recipient,” said McDaniel. “Without the knowledge that I gained while at Auburn, I wouldn’t be where I am today. War Eagle!!!”
CARTER MCGUYER
Class of 1998
College of Architecture, Design & Construction
McGuyer graduated magna cum laude from Auburn with a degree in industrial design. He became the design director at a national branded kitchen manufacturing company and managed product design, packaging, overseas manufacturing and the company’s trade show presence. Carter then founded the Carter McGuyer Design Group where their goal is to develop beautiful and functional products. His work has won numerous awards including the 2003 Gourmet Gold Award, the 2004 Good Design Award, the 2009 Housewares Design Award for Best of the Best, the 2013 Housewares Design Award for Best in Category and the 2013 Red Dot design award.
“I was sincerely humbled, moved, and honored to receive such a prestigious award from the Auburn Alumni Association,” McGuyer said. “I want to thank everyone who has ever been involved in my life that helped me achieve this honor. This is something that I will never forget.”
CARTER MCGUYER
Class of 2002
College of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine
DAVID WILLIAMS
Class of 1997
College of Liberal Arts
Williams graduated from Auburn with a degree in radio, television and film. He was hired by WSFA 12 News in Montgomery as producer of the early morning newscast, Today in Alabama. While there, Williams produced Friday Night Fever, the high school football review, and produced the evening news broadcast. He then became the news director of KPLC-TV, a CBS affiliate, in Lake Charles, La. Williams and his team won awards including Best Ongoing Coverage, Best Public Affairs, Story of the Year and Reporter of the Year for their coverage during Hurricane Katrina. Williams is currently the assistant news director at WHNT News 19 in Huntsville. His group also has developed an instructional video for school children about safety during severe weather which is included in many north Alabama school systems.
“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by Auburn University, a place that means so much to me,” Williams said. “My collegiate experience and the support of my family are the foundation for any success I achieve. I’m excited for current and future students who will benefit from the growing School of Communication and Journalism. As George Petrie wrote, ‘I believe in Auburn and love it.”
Jessica Brookshire
Class of 1999
Jessica Brookshire ’99 has made a huge impact in a short time. The youngest of our Young Alumni Achievement Award recipients, Brookshire earned a degree in international trade and a master’s in Spanish from the College of Liberal Arts. While still a student, she established the anti-bullying organization, K.A.R.M.A. (Kids Against Ridicule, Meanness, and Aggression). She has traveled all across the state of Alabama educating children and adults on the effects of bullying on individuals as well as communities.
Jeffrey Alan Brewer
Class of 1995
Jeffrey Alan Brewer graduated first in his class in the school of Architecture, Design and Construction, received the President’s Award as Outstanding Graduate and was awarded the AIA School Medal for Outstanding Achievement. He now serves as vice president and principal of Goodwin Mills Cawood of Birmingham where he is in charge of the Birmingham architecture, civil engineering, municipal engineering, and geotechnical divisions.
Rebecca Balkcom
Class of 1994
Rebecca Balkcom is an excellent example of a scientist-teacher who has made a significant impact in her community and profession. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agronomy and soils from the College of Agriculture and in just her fourth year of teaching for the Auburn City Schools system, she was named the system’s 2011 Teacher of the Year.
Steven K. Brotherton
Class of 1996
Steven K. Brotherton combined his degree in international business from the College of Business and his law degree from the University of Alabama into a career in international trade. After beginning his career with The Boeing Company, in 2001, he joined Frogomen, Del Rey, Bersen, and Loewy, listed as one of the top 100 U.S. law firms, to build the firm’s new Fragomen Export Controls Practice Group. Beginning from scratch, Steve has grown the program into one of the country’s leading export control practices with clients like Walmart, Goldman and Sachs, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Microsoft, Mastercard and Facebook. In 2008, he became the youngest lawyer to be promoted to partner in the firm’s sixty-year history.
Courtney Ann Furlong Dow
Class of 2004
Courtney Ann Furlong Dow left Auburn with a degree in rehabilitation counseling from the College of Education to join NightLight Bangkok, part of NightLight International, an organization committed to freeing women and children from a life of prostitution and exploitation. Two years later, she returned to the Plains to get a Master of Education, and was recruited by NightLight to return to her hometown of Atlanta to begin a program to address sex trafficking there. Just a year later, NightLight International brought NightLight Atlanta under their umbrella, naming Courtney as director. The program addresses commercial sexual exploitation through prevention, intervention, restoration, and education.
Denisha L. Hendricks
Class of 2001
Denisha L. Hendricks came to Auburn as a graduate student earning two degrees from the College of Education; a master’s degree in higher education and sports management (2001) and a doctorate in higher education administration (2004). Currently the director of athletics and assistant professor at Kentucky State University, Denisha also serves as a mentor for Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders, a NCAA Division II athletic directors program which matches 10 outstanding athletics administrators with 10 aspiring athletic directors to provide counseling and training to help reach long-term goals.
Mark Spencer
Class of 2000
Mark Spencer began exercising his engineering and entrepreneurial expertise at a young age when he wrote a grading program that he sold to his eighth grade teacher for five dollars. While at Auburn in 1999, he began his first start-up company, Linux Support Services. Faced with the high cost of buying a PBX for Linux, Spencer used his knowledge to develop his own, which was the beginning of the worldwide open source phenomenon known as Asterick®. As Asterick® gained in popularity, Spencer shifted his business focus and renamed the company , Digium® which is now the leading open source telecommunication provider in the world today. As the chairman and CTO of Digium, Mark continues to drive the strategic vision and technology division of the company as well as focus on the development and growth of the Asterick community at large.
Katy Law
Class of 2001
Katy Law earned her degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRMT) in the College of Human Sciences where she was named the college’s very first Outstanding Alumnus during the 2010 hospitality gala. She currently serves as the director of sales for the Americas for Design Hotels in New York. Since 2009, she has served on the HRMT Programs Industry Advisory Board where she works tirelessly to promote the program. She has personally sponsored a number of professional development opportunities for faculty and students and continues to assist with international development linkages and promotion of the Auburn undergraduate and graduate programs in the national and international arena.
Octavia Spencer
Class of 1994
Octavia Spencer holds a degree in English with minors in journalism and theatre from the College of Liberal Arts. After graduation, she started her career assisting with casting movies that were being filmed in her home state of Alabama, but just a year later, landed her first on-screen role with Sandra Bullock in the film adaptation of John Grisham’s A Time To Kill. She continued to land small roles on the big screen building her reputation as a strong supporting actress, adept at both comedy and drama. In 2009, Entertainment Weekly named her one of the 25 Funniest Actresses in Hollywood, calling her “sassy, smart, and wise beyond her years.” In 2011, she landed her biggest role to date as Minny Jackson in the film adaptation of The Help, a role that catapulted into national prominence winning the Best Support Actress title from the Golden Globe Awards, the People’s Choice Awards and the Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Kyes Stevens
Class of 1994
Kyes Stevens earned an undergraduate degree in English from the College of Liberal Arts. Following graduation, she went to work on a Wagon Train for troubled youth before earning a master’s in Women’s History and a M.F.A. in poetry from the Sarah Lawrence College in New York. With a love for writing, she began teaching poetry at the Talladega Federal Prison through the National Endowment for the Arts. Through the impact this program had on Kyes, she founded the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project at Auburn University. Heralded by the Christian Science Monitor as one of the most innovative and effective programs in Alabama prisons, APAEPAU is dedicated to bringing educational opportunities to prisoners in Alabama. The program believes it’s important for the adult prison population to gain a quality education, and also to build a relationship with learning that will continue to grow for the rest of their lives. Founder Kyes still serves as the director of the program.
Dee Jones
Class of 2001
Dee Jones ’01 received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the College of Veterinary Medicine and joined an animal clinic in Cullman, Ala. From 2004-2006, he served the United States Army Veterinary Corp in Ft. Polk, La. as the veterinary medical officer before joining the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) in 2007. In 2010, he was named Alabama State Public Health Veterinarian. In this position, Jones provides professional guidance for the ADPH and Epidemiology Division concerning zoonotic exposures and risks, works closely with the oral rabies vaccination program, works a s liaison between the ADPH and the Alabama Department of Agriculture. He is currently involved in a study to determine the prevalence of various tick-borne disease agents in Alabama.
Candace Mangum
Class of 1999
Candace Mangum earned her degree in nursing science from the College of Nursing and exemplifies all that being a nurse entails. Her sincere compassion for her patients is evident both while at work and away from “the office” and she is held in the upmost respect by Auburn nursing faculty, coworkers, friends and fellow nurses. She currently works as a nurse practitioner at Notasulga Healthcare Family Practice Clinic in Notasulga, Ala.
Richard W. Hall
Class of 1995
Richard W. Hall graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. He sought out an international internship and received funding to intern at the U.S. Forest Service in Puerto Rico. He began his career in timberland investments and today serves as senior vice president of timberland services for Bank of America in Atlanta. He also continues to teach as an affiliate assistant professor at Auburn.
Brent Fox
Class of 1998
Brent Fox earned his undergraduate degree in pharmacy in 1998, then went on to complete his doctorate in 2000. He currently serves as an assistant professor in the Harrison School of Pharmacy where he has maintained a balance portfolio in teaching, research, service and outreach. He was recently selected by his peers as course coordinator for the HSOP Foundations of Pharmacy course, the first exposure for incoming PharmD students. He has gained a national reputation for his use of technology to enhance pharmacy practice and education.
Richard C. Bell
Class of 2011
Richard C. Bell was nominated by the Graduate School. He earned his Master of Science in Statistics and in the same year, earned a doctorate in industrial and systems engineering, both from Auburn. These two degrees followed an undergraduate degree in mathematical sciences from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Science in Operations Research from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Now a Lieutenant Colonel, Bell has been assigned to the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan serving as deputy director of the Afghanistan Assessment Group (AAG), which is composed of approximately 20 U.S. and international military officers and civilians. In this role, he oversees day-to-day operation of the AAG’s three branches: data and analytics, reports and studies, and the campaign assessment branch.
Emily Pauli
Class of 1996
Emily Pauli graduated Magna Cum Laude in biomedical science in molecular biology from the College of Sciences and Math (COSAM) and after working in the biotech industry in research and development, marketing, sales and business development, she returned to the Plains to earn a doctorate in pharmacy in 2006. Her focus on pharmacogenomics and pharmacokinetic research partnered her with Jim Hudson, the founder of Research Genetics where Emily was by Hudson’s side as he established the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. In 2009, the Clearwater (Fla.) Cancer Institute lured Emily to lead their clinical trials. Today, Emily is the director of research and oncology specialists, working with physicians and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the institute’s research efforts.
Jonathan Charles Bell
Class of 2000 and 2002
College/School: College of Liberal Arts, School of Nursing
Degree: Health Administration (2000), Nursing (2002)
Profession: Owner Vital Care of Meridian/Vital Care RX with pharmacy locations in Meridian, MS and Shreveport, LA
Company Spotlight: Vital Care is an integrated home infusion, specialty and compounding pharmacy offering cost effective treatment options and personalized care for acute and chronic medical conditions. It is an organization that offers a variety of services, such as, being licensed in 48 states to provide complex injectable and infused biologic medications, providing IV medications in the comfort of your home, ambulatory infusion suites for the administration of medications on site, a first-dosing program for administering medications and monitoring, a nurse PICC line insertion team on site, nutritional support, medical equipment for respiratory patients and much more.
David H. Clark
Class of 1996
College/School: College of Education
Degree: Health Administration (2000), Nursing (2002)
Current Profession: Vice President of North American operations for Amazon.com, where he is responsible for the design and operation of Amazon.com’s fulfillment centers and supervision of thousands of company employees.
Accomplishments: Led the startup of Amazon.com’s first Japanese fulfillment center, from ground to full operation, in just six months.
Auburn Activities: Member of the Auburn University Marching Band
Deeatra Seaborn Craddock
Class of 2001
College/School: Harrison School of Pharmacy
Residency: Joint residency with the University of Texas in Austin and Walgreens
Current Profession: A faculty member at the Texas Tech School of Pharmacy, where she promotes wellness through immunizations, Medication Therapy Management and cardiovascular risk assessment programs. She is a consultant to Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; she is also a student advisor for the National Community Pharmacists Association.
Accomplishments: Led the startup of Amazon.com’s first Japanese fulfillment center, from ground to full operation, in just six months.
Awards: Preceptor of the Year for the Dallas Ft. Worth Regional Campus, Nominee for the prestigious American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Crystal Apple.
Hobbies: Spending time with her family, reading her favorite magazines, and watching the Food Network.
Nicole Faulk
Class of 1999
College/School: Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
Degree: Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (1996), Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (1999)
Profession: Has achieved a successful career in the field of nuclear engineering with Southern Nuclear, and now serves as the director of nuclear development with Georgia Power Company
Organizations: Served on the Mechanical Engineering External Advisory Board, and currently serves on the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council as executive chair of the student recruitment/activities committee.
James Lee Fenn, III
Class of 1996
College/School: College of Agriculture
Degree: Agronomy and Soils (1996) and Master’s degree (1998)
Profession: Worked with Universal Blanchers, LLC as a plant manager, vice president of Georgia operations in 2000. When Universal Blanchers became Olam International Ltd., he advised on agronomic and manufacturing issues in Argentina and South Africa. He was promoted in 2009 to chief operating officer of Olam’s U.S. peanut operations.
Current Projects: Working with researchers in the Agronomy and Soils Department to develop a use for currently wasted peanut skins.
Auburn Connection: Continues to support the College of Agriculture by attending dean’s events and homecoming activities.
Bradley Fields
Class of 2005
ollege/School: College of Veterinary Medicine
Armed Forces Involvement: Captain in the United States Army Veterinary Reserve Corps, 358th MED DET
Special Talents: Experienced in overall management of agriculture emergencies, which includes managing an agriculture emergency operations center, state agriculture response team, disaster animal sheltering program, and individual response and recovery efforts. He advanced training in food safety and public heath training.
Leadership: Managed the Agriculture Homeland Security/Emergency Preparedness Section, and provides leadership for the Agricultural Geographical Information System.
Other Professions: Affiliate professor in the pathobiology department at Auburn’s vet school. Serves as a faculty member at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Public Health.
Allison “Allie” M. Floyd
Class of 2006
College/School: College of Architecture, Design and Construction
Degree: Bachelor of Building Science (2005), Master’s degree in Building Construction (2006)
Current Profession: Sustainability Coordinator at B.L. Harbert International, LLC
Accomplishments: Coordinated sustainable projects for new U.S. Embassy projects in places such as Pakistan, Liberia, Dubai, Ethiopia, Congo, and many others. Her work in the Republic of Congo was the first U.S. Embassy project to receive a LEED Gold Certification.
Service Work: Raised funds to assist local orphanages and for victims of the earthquakes in Haiti. Served as the Birmingham coordinator for several projects including, UAB Engineers Without Borders, Servants In Faith and Technology. She has volunteered for relief efforts on the U.S. Gulf Coast and in Jamaica. Has also worked with To the Nations in Honduras that helped set up rainwater collections and power generation for remote villages.
Betsy Lynne Hall
Class of 2004
College/School: Graduate School program
Degree: Master’s degree in Public Administration
Honors: Appointed deputy country director for Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, playing a vital role in Haiti’s ongoing recovery from the 2009 Earthquake. She also served in the same role with Mozambique, where her performance was so outstanding that Samaritan’s Purse officials singled her out to take on the post-earthquake challenges in Haiti.
Profession: Portfolio manager for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This included working with the budgetary aspects of Section 8 program, Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance program, Housing for Special Populations, and assisted with Capital Fund, Operating Fund, HOPE VI, and the Office of Native American programs.
Fun Facts: Has visited with political dignitaries, Michelle Obama and Sarah Palin.
Brian Higginbotham
Class of 2004
College/School: College of Human Sciences
Degree: Master of Science degree and Ph.D. degree in Human Development and Family Studies
Current Profession: Professor, Utah State University
Accomplishments: Secured over $5.5 million in grant funding for his research and extension projects. He has given over 40 Extension presentations around the state and another 25 national presentations.
Wade McCollum
Class of 1998 and 2000
College/School: College of Agriculture
Degree: Master of Science in Agriculture Economics (2000)
Missions: While at Auburn, he traveled with a group from Opelika to Orphanage Emmanuel in Guaimaca, Honduras. He continued to volunteer at the orphanage and established a farm on the property that now provides all the fruits, vegetables and meat for approximately 500 orphans and staff at Emmanuel.
Current Profession: Serves as director of Orphanage Emmanuel.
Fun Fact: McCollum often holds Auburn Day at the orphanage where all the children wear Auburn t-shirts donated by Auburn alumni and local (Auburn) bookstores.
Antarrious “A.T.” Williams Neal
Class of 2005
College/School: College of Liberal Arts, currently pursuing a master’s degree in Collegiate Ministry at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
College Activities: Four-year letterman for the Auburn football team
Current Profession: Pharmaceutical sales
Awards/Honors: 2010 Janice Davis All-By-City Alumni Award, presented by the Columbus Sports Council.
Marie O’Brian
Class of 1993
College/School: College of Business
Degree: Finance (1993), MBA from UCLA (2004)
Current Profession: Serves as co-president and CEO for Yak Academy
Accomplishments: Co-founder of EarlyBirds Learning, which teaches a variety of different languages to children ages 1-10 through play-based activities. She founded Schools-in-Flight, which brought classes to local schools in Southern California.
Michael S. Parmer
Class of 2001 and 2007
College/School: College of Agriculture, the School of Forestry and Wildlife Services
Degree: Animal Dairy Sciences (1997), Wildlife Sciences (2001)
Profession: Works with Grey Rocks, and was very instrumental in the restoration of Bob White Quail population on the property by habitat manipulation. Parmer and his father also own a commercial cattle business.
Organizations: Chairman of the Autauga County Young Farmers, chairman of the Alabama Farmers Federation, serves on the State Wildlife Committee for the Alabama Farmers Federation, and is currently serving as the vice president and president elect for the Autauga County Cattlemen’s Association.
Awards: Producer of the Year by the Beef Cattle Improvement Association (2007), Wildlife Division Young Family Farm of the Year by the Alabama Farmers Federation (2008)
Nicole Seline Schiegg
Class of 1999
College/School: College of Liberal Arts
Profession: Directed public diplomacy in the first phases of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief at the U.S. Department of the State, based in Geneva, Switzerland and worked for the World Health Organization. Currently serves as senior advisor for strategic communications at the U.S. Agency for International Development, where she oversees communications and is the agency’s media spokesperson on two of President Barack Obama’s development priorities.
Accomplishments: Made over 30 trips to Africa and Asia offering hope, respect, and dignity to those battling different diseases. She has also made a difference in efforts for child survival, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.
Hobbies: Spends most of her personal time to health advocacy and fundraising for Parkinson’s disease, breast cancer, and other conditions.
Steven Speakman
Class of 1995
College/School: College of Business
Degree: Degree in legal studies from Exeter College at Oxford University in England, Law degree from Washington and Lee University
Profession: After receiving his degree from Exeter College at Oxford University in England, he took a summer internship with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2010, he was elected Lee County (Ala.) District Judge
Awards: President’s Award from the College of Business, Rotary Ambassadorial scholarship to attend Exeter College at Oxford University in England.
Contribution to Auburn: Speakman continues to assist Auburn students with applications for post-graduate scholarships to study abroad.
Mark Holton Thomas
Class of 1998
College/School: College of Science and Mathematics
Degree: Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in science
Profession: Joined a start-up business which would become Radiance Technologies, and served as their vice president of Gulf Coast operations. He led another Defense industry startup for Integration Innovation, Inc., as senior vice president of Security and Environmental Solutions, and in 2011 was named director of Innovation and Advanced Technology for CareCore National, the nation’s largest provider of evidenced-based benefits management in health care.
Accomplishments: In his first job, Thomas developed software that builds, receives, and processes external National Missile Defense messages.
Contribution to Auburn: He and his wife, Kelly, have established a scholarship for future students to study mathematics at Auburn.
Fun Fact: Mark is a third generation Auburn graduate.