JMU - Alumni - Board of Directors
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JMUaa Board of Directors
The JMU Alumni Board of Directors is a corporate board with the responsibility of directing the JMU Alumni Association. Board members include: 15 at-large members; an executive committee including a president, president-elect, past president and the executive director; and a representative from the JMU Student Ambassadors. Each member of the Board of Directors also serves on at least one sub-committee that addresses specific needs of the JMU Alumni Association. Current committees include chapters, marketing, nominations, programming and nominations.
The board represents the interests of all graduates by reviewing and setting the strategy for the association. The board also determines its award and scholarship recipients and the alumni association's annual affinity partnership programs. Learn more about our corporate partners.
All active members of the JMU Alumni Association are eligible to serve as directors. Nominations are received and reviewed on an annual basis and may be submitted by alumni, JMU faculty and staff members and current students. Submit a nomination.
Current Board Members
Jamie Jones Miller ('99) President
Jamie Jones Miller, President of the Alumni Board of Directors, is a longtime JMU Alumni volunteer. As an undergraduate she was a member of the Alpha Sigma Tau, Psi Chapter and the JMU women’s basketball team.
Miller, who holds a degree in International Affairs, is the legislative director for U.S. Congressman Rob Wittman of Virginia’s 1st District. Miller also is a member of the MetroDukes, JMU Politicos and the JMU Duke Club.
Favorite thing about JMU: “I met my husband (Tim Miller ’96 and ’00) at JMU. There were over 50 Dukes at our wedding! I also love the Quad — whenever I come back to JMU, I enjoy going for a run on campus in the evening.”
Heather Easley Hedrick ('00) Treasurer
As a student, Heather Hedrick worked at the Madison Connection and at The Breeze as an advertising account executive. The Danville, Va. native currently lives in Richmond and is involved in local chapter events, including Crabfest. She is the internal audit manager at Carmax and assists with the company’s recruiting at JMU. Hedrick, who currently serves as the Alumni Board Treasurer, met her husband, Brandon Hedrick (’00) while they were students at JMU. They have a son, Shelton, a “future Duke” who was born in 2010.
Favorite thing about JMU: “Tailgating and Football!”
AJ Fischer ('92) Immediate Past-President
AJ Fischer (’92) believes “the impact of the alumni experience is almost of equal importance to the university experience.” Fischer has lived through that statement as a member and president of the Alumni Board, and as an involved JMU graduate for nearly 20 years.
As an undergraduate, this Waynesboro native studied finance and economics, and was a student representative to the Board of Visitors. Fischer, who resides in Charlotte, N.C., is a senior vice president at Bank of America.
Favorite thing about JMU: “JMU sports, the friendliness of students and the Quad.”
Stephanne Byrd ('93)
Stephanne Byrd, who has served on the Recognitions and Partnership Committee since 2010, is a steadfast community leader. She sits on the Family of Rotary and Fellowship Committee and is Chairman of the Board for Shenandoah Economic Education, Inc. where she works with JMU’s Department of Economics.
Byrd earned her Master’s in business administration from JMU and was the Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County from 2000-2006. A Duke Club member since 2003, Byrd resides in Harrisonburg with her husband and four children.
Favorite thing about JMU: “That JMU adds so many dimensions to the quality of life in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County through sporting events, cultural and arts events, guest speaker programs, and student involvement in the community through the school and non-profit organizations.”
Larry W. Caudle, Jr. ('82)
A loyal member of the Madison community, Larry Caudle chairs the Strategic Planning Committee. He was the president of the SigEp Alumni & Volunteer Corporation from 2007-2010 and presently serves on the corporation’s Executive Committee.
As an undergraduate, Caudle was a volunteer firefighter for the City of Harrisonburg and was on the JMU track team. He was also a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon (president in 1980) and the Gamma Gamma Greek Honor Society. Caudle currently lives in Oakton, Va. with his wife Barbara (’81) and is an Attorney at Kraftson Caudle.
Favorite thing about JMU: “Dr. Carrier, Lou Campanelli, B School, Luigi’s, Spanky’s, JM’s, Greek Row on Thursday nights, Duke’s Grill, Chocolate Milk at D-Hall, Salads Plus at Chandler.”
Michael Clayton ('82)
Michael Clayton — a member of the Partnerships & Recognition Committee — has been an active member of the JMU Alumni Association for more than 29 years. As a student, Clayton founded JMU’s chapter of the Lamba Chi Alpha fraternity.
Clayton later founded the Metro Washington D.C. Alumni Chapter. He is a sponsor of an endowed scholarship for the College of Business and is part of the President’s Council. The New Jersey native currently resides in Tampa, Fla., where he is a senior compliance executive at IBM and an adjunct professor at St. Petersburg College.
Favorite thing about JMU: “The overall university community. There are many ingredients that comprise this community — students, parents and family; alumni and family; faculty and staff; city of Harrisonburg and other surrounding localities and sponsors. The involvement with all these ingredients is important in furthering JMU’s influence as a premier educational institution.”
Thomas Culligan ('05)
Tom Culligan, the appropriations legislative director for Congressman Frank R. Wolf (VA-10), was JMU Student Body President from 2004-05, founded the Madison International Society in 2001 and co-founded the JMU Politicos Alumni Chapter in 2006.
He has been a JMU Alumni Board member since 2009 and is the Chairman of the Board’s Partnerships & Recognition Committee. A native of McLean, Va., Culligan earned his Master’s of Public Policy from George Mason University in 2009.
Favorite thing about JMU: “The incredibly dedicated students, faculty and alums who make up the JMU community … and D-Hall.”
Donna Stocking Honeywell ('71)
Donna Stocking Honeywell is co-chair of the Partners and Recognition Committee and the assistant principal at Arlington Traditional Elementary School. She recently endowed a scholarship for the Department of Education in honor of her family, husband, and children.
“It's my way of expressing hope for the future,” Honeywell said. “I have been fortunate in my life and I like what JMU is doing to prepare future teachers.”
Favorite thing about JMU: “Hiring highly-qualified teachers who happen to be JMU alumni.”
Lucy Hutchinson ('06)
Lucy Hutchinson is a senior associate at Korn/Ferry International — the largest publicly-traded search firm in the United States — and is on the Partnerships & Recognition Committee. As an undergraduate, Hutchinson was a student government senator and finance chair, and was JMU's first fellow with the Center for the Study of the Presidency — a D.C.-based, non-profit organization focused on educating young leaders. She also participated in the Semester in London and Semester in D.C. programs.
Favorite thing about JMU: “The culture — JMU has always provided a rich, supportive environment for its students. I think that is one of many reasons why JMU graduates go on and become solid citizens in their community.”
Edward G. Kardos ('82)
As a student, Ed Kardos was the editor of the yearbook and held leadership positions in the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After working in Richmond for a few years, Kardos returned to Harrisonburg as the director of the Annual Fund.
He currently serves on the Alumni Engagement Committee and is the Director of Development at VCU’s School of Dentistry and an emerging novelist.
Favorite thing about JMU: “Everything! I loved JMU as a student. It was the best experience of my life … When I was a student, Dr. Carrier stopped me on campus and asked me my opinion about Ashby Hall where I lived at the time. This conversation left an indelible mark on me — he took the time to really engage me. Years later … I saw him at VCU where I currently work. He stopped me and asked me how my wife and children are doing — I was blown away. It's the people that I value the most and that JMU was and is about the people — the students.”
Dave Rexrode ('01)
Despite his demanding schedule as Executive Director of the Republican Party of Virginia, Dave Rexrode never forgets his alma mater. Rexrode, who holds degrees in political science and public administration, is vice chair of the Strategic Planning Committee.
As a student, he was president of Theta Chi, chairman of JMU College Republicans, 2000 Greek Man of the Year and a member of the 2001 Senior Class Challenge Steering Committee. He also founded Theta Chi’s annual “12 Days Project.” As an alumnus, Rexrode is a Duke Club Representative, a member of JMU Politicos and participates in the Political Science Department’s mentor program.
Favorite thing about JMU: “JMU encourages its students to gain valuable educational experiences — not only inside the classroom but outside of it as well. The Madison Experience encourages students, and alumni, to discover what their true interests are and puts us in a situation to enhance those interests. From both an academic and social perspective, the Madison Experience allows folks to reach their full potential.”
Scott P. Rogers ('00, '02M)
Scott P. Rogers, an associate broker at Coldwell Banker Funkhouser Realtors, holds a Bachelor’s in SMAD and an M.Ed. in counseling psychology from JMU and is a member of the Alumni Finance Committee.
The Harrisonburg native also serves on the Board of Directors for the Shenandoah Valley Builders Association and the Harrisonburg Children's Museum. As a student Rogers was involved with Student Ambassadors, the Office of Residential Life, the Office of Admissions, the Office of Alumni Relations and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.
Favorite thing about JMU: “The people — students, professors, staff — together they create a fun, energizing, engaging learning environment that were some of the most formative years of my life.”
Brooke Abbitt Scutt ('02)
A former SMAD major, Brook Abbitt Scutt currently is the marketing director at RE/MAX Peninsula. As an undergraduate, she was a Interfraternity/ Panhellenic Judicial Council member, a staff writer for The Breeze and a contributor to The Bluestone. Scutt remains involved with her sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau, and is a former president of the JMU Charlotte alumni chapter.
Favorite thing about JMU: “I loved the size of the campus — it always felt big enough but you could still easily walk everywhere!”
Jason Sfaelos ('96)
Jason Sfaelos’ favorite Madison memory is his very first moment on campus — his freshman move-in. “To be able to relive that would be priceless,” he said. Sfaelos was president and social chair of Theta Chi, a member of SGA and competed on the JMU Ski Racing Team.
As an alumnus, Sfaelos co-founded the Craig Blass Memorial and is an Alumni representative at Freshman Send-Off Picnics. Sfaelos, the Alumni Engagement Committee chairman, works in the International Product & Business Development at Sprint and is the owner of College Transit Ltd.
Favorite thing about JMU: “Though it grew in size, you still had a sense of a small community within the university. Also it could be one of the few places on Earth where you really do walk up hill both ways!”
J.R. Snow ('99)
As Drum Major of the Marching Royal Dukes and the founder of Madison Project, J.R. Snow’s leadership skills have been an asset to the JMU community for years. He emcees for the Homecoming Alumni Tailgate as well as for the MAC Awards (2010 and 2011) and was on Madison Project’s 10- and 15-Year Reunion Leadership Team.
Snow is the Director of Bands at Harrisonburg High School and the Fine Arts Coordinator for Harrisonburg City Public Schools. This spirited Duke is a current member of the Alumni Engagement Committee and returns to campus every summer as a staff member of the Royal Dukes’ Band Camp.
Favorite thing about JMU: “The people are fantastic and wonderful in every facet of JMU that I interact with. It made the difference when choosing a university, and continues to be a driving factor for why I choose to stay involved.”
Will Tragert ('04)
Will Tragert is a Mathematics teacher at Louisa County Public Schools and a recent appointee to the Finance Committee. As a student, Tragert was a student ambassador, a FROG and an Alternative Spring Break trip leader.
The Germantown, Md. native was also involved with many other Madison activities including Club Roller Hockey (Captain and VP), One in Four (VP and Treasurer) and worked at Madison Grill.
Favorite thing about JMU: “The people, hands down. Never in life have I been a part of a community filled with such kindness, commitment and enthusiasm.”
Bridgette Spencer Walsh ('01)
Bridgette Spencer Walsh (’01) has remained actively involved with her alma mater since graduating. She is a long-time member of Washington D.C. Metro Dukes alumni chapter and currently serves on the board as part of the Alumni Engagement Committee.
As an undergraduate, Walsh was a resident advisor in Blue Ridge Hall, worked for Judicial Affairs as a Substance Education Program Assistant and participated in the Washington Spring Semester program. The former public policy and administration major currently resides in Falls Church, Va. and is the Acting Director of the National Cyber Security Division Cyber Exercise Program at the Department of Homeland Security.
Favorite thing about JMU: “The friendliness and enthusiasm of the students. From my first tour of JMU when I was a high school senior to every time I go back to campus, I see the JMU spirit on display and it makes me glad I was a part of it and call myself a fellow Duke.”
- March 5:
MetroDukes Port City Brewing Company - Tour, Tasting, and JMU a capella! - March 11-15
Inauguration Week
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Publisher:
Office of Alumni Relations
For Information Contact:
alumni_link@jmu.edu
JMU Alumni Association
Leeolou Alumni Center
(888) 568-2586
Last Modified: 3/1/2013
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