About Us

Mark Wilhelm

Mary Grate-Pyos

• Bio:

  Mary Grate-Pyos, MBA, is a Certified Family Business Specialist who prides herself on being able to simplify financial issues and create solutions for families, business owners & entrepreneurs.  She speaks regularly at churches, conferences and businesses to share her insight financial strategies for peace of mind.

   

  As a trained mathematician, Mary considers herself a “Proud Geek in Pearls.” She earned an MBA from Syracuse University; a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics from Newberry College; and is a Certified Family Business Specialist, completed at the American College of Financial Services.   She has also completed training in the Certified Leadership Development Program at George Washington University.   

   

  She is author of Wealthy woman – Wise Choices; former Columnist for the Capital Spotlight Newspaper in Washington, DC; and former Financial Expert on the syndicated radio show, “Serving Up Soul” with Gospel Singer Dorinda Clark.  She has been featured in countless publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Black Enterprise Magazine; Essence Magazine; Ebony Magazine; Today’s Christian Woman Magazine; Pink Magazine; Financial Woman International, Boomer Market Advisor, and Advisor Today Magazine. She hosts My Pearl Power events that focuses on powerful dialogues with successful women to educate, encourage and empower women in their finances and in life.

   

  Mary is a member of Women in Financial Services (WIFS); Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA); and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).  She is a former Board Member for Dress for Success – Washington, DC and the Greater DC National Association of Women Business Owners.  She is a proud partner with the Women’s Business Center located in Springfield, Virginia, where she provides advice and guidance to new entrepreneurs.

   

  She created and now chairs the Financial Ministry at her local Church and currently resides in Burke, Virginia.

Rob Best

• Email:

  rbest4545@comcast.net

Jimmie Coggins

• Email:

  jcoggins@wkdk.com

  Bio:

  Occupation: 

  Employment/Self-Employed/Professional. Currently President and General Manager, Newberry Broadcasting Co. Inc. radio station WKDK in Newberry, SC

  Accomplishments: 

  Professional/Business/Personal/Volunteer

  Chairman of the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce

  Former Honorary Chairman of the Newberry County March of Dimes Walk America

  Former Member of the Board of Directors, Association for a Greater Newberry

  Past Member of the Board of Newberry’s Great Town Program

  President of the Newberry County Unit of the American CancerSociety, 1979

  Member and Former President of the Newberry Cotillion Club

  Served as Chairman of the United Way of the Midlands Campaign for Newberry County

  under area Chairman Dr. Hubert Setzler, President of Newberry College

  Served as a Member of the Board of Directors and as Secretary of The Newberry County Development Board/Chairman of Commerce

  Served 1981-1991 including 2 years as Chairman of the Board of the State Department of

  Youth Services Juvenile Parole Board

  Member of the Newberry Rotary Club (President 1979-9180)

  Named Rotarian of the Year (2002-2003) and a Paul Harris Fellow

  Member of the City of Newberry Planning Commission 1981-1985

  Charter Member and Board Member of the Newberry County Touchdown Club

  Honored and recognized by the SC general Assembly for services to the State Gift of Life Trust Fund

  Former Member and Treasurer of the Newberry County Memorial Hospital Foundation Board

  Former Member of the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Broadcasters Association

  Former Member of the Board of Directors of the Newberry County Family YMCA

  Member of the Newberry College President’s Club

  Served on several Academic and Athletic Committees at Newberry College, 

  including the 150th Anniversary Committee

  Awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from Newberry College.  August 19, 2007

   

  Since 1982, Coggins has been the radio voice of Newberry College and Newberry High School Athletics.

Scott Berry

Jean Haggard

• Bio:

  Jean Nichols Haggard graduated from Newberry College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences and served as editor of the Newberrian her senior year.  She also was a member of Chi Beta Phi and the Student Education Association.  She was inducted into the Bachman Honor Society and was listed in Who’s Who among Students in American Colleges and Universities.  She also earned a Master of Education from USC.  

  There was never any question that she would attend Newberry College. Family members included her mother and father and her mother’s three sisters and her great grandfather whose college career was interrupted by the Civil War.  She is married to Charles W. Haggard – Class of 1963. He is retired and served as Mayor of Pelion and is currently on town council.  They have two sons and three grandchildren. Ralph completed a dual degree program with Newberry College (1988) and Georgia Tec and is married to Beth Fulmer Haggard, Newberry College class of 1987.  Colonel Michael (US Army) and Traci Haggard are currently residing in Germany.

  Haggard retired from public education having served all but one year in Lexington School District One. She concluded her educational career as Principal of Pelion High School.  She is a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and has served as organist for many years.  She has been a member of the Pelion Ruritan Club for many years and currently serves as the president.

  Her achievements include Honorary Doctor of Pedagogy from Newberry College in 2007, Office Professionals Administrator of the Year Award in 2010, State Honorary FFA Degree in 2012 and a Finalist for SC MetLife/NASSP Secondary Principal of the Year Award.

William C. "Bill" Steen

• Email:

  bsteen@ctextiles.com

  Bio:

  William C. "Bill" Steen is a 1968 graduate of Newberry College where he earned his BA in Economics. His additional education includes University of Michigan's Manager of Managers and University of Virginia's Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers training. He is the CEO and President of Stencorp of Anderson LLC of Anderson, SC.  He previously was the VP of Manufacturing and Partner at Central Textiles, Inc.

  Bill has served on the Board of Advisors at Cornerstone National Bank of Easley, SC as well as on the Board of Directors for Central Textiles, Inc. of Central, SC; Metro-Con Concrete, Inc. of Six Mile, SC; and Southern Textile Association.

  Bill and his wife, Clara, reside in Greenville, SC.  The have two adult daughters, Shayla S. Durst of Wilmington, NC, and Danas Glenn of Simpsonville, SC.

Kevin Steelman

• Email:

  ksteelman@landtechsc.com

  Bio:

  Kevin B. Steelman graduated from Newberry College in 1995 with a BS in Accounting. He then went on to earn his MBA from the University of South Carolina in 1997. Kevin currently serves as the President and CEO, Partner/Owner of LandTech Incorporated of SC and has been employed with LandTech since March 2000.  From 1997-2000, he was an Audit Consultant at Arthur Andersen.

   

  Kevin is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed since 1998. He is also a SC Real Estate Broker, licensed since 2006, a NC Real Estate Broker, licensed since 2014, and is a member of the Homebuilders Association of SC.  Kevin has been named a Lexington Vocational Center Hall of Fame Member.

   

  Kevin and his wife, Kelly, live in Columbia, SC, and have two children, Skylar and Kevin, Jr.

Barbara Davis, CFP

• Office Phone: 803-318-0743

  Bio:

  Barbara Langford Davis is a 1979 graduate of Newberry College with a BA in Sociology.  She has served as a Financial Advisor since 1982 and received her designation as a Certified Financial Planner practitioner in 1990.

   

  She is a member of the Newberry College Foundation Board of Visitors, the Midlands Education and Business Alliance, the Newberry College Alumni Association, and the Midlands Technical College Business Advisor Committee.

   

  Past Board and Community Service include the Midlands Technical College Foundation Board, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Columbia convention and Visitors Bureau, United Way of the midlands, Columbia community Relations Council, Junior Achievement of Central South Carolina, Newberry College Lettermen’s club, and the Newberry College Athletic Club.

   

  Notable accomplishments and awards include the Newberry College Sesquicentennial Medal of Honor, the Newberry College Athletic Hall of Fame, Leadership South Carolina, Leadership Columbia, and YMCA TWIN – Tribute to Women and Industry Honorees.

   

  Barbara is married to G. Bernard Davis, a Newberry College alum, and they have two sons: Bryant and Brandan.  They reside in Columbia, South Carolina.

Herman Yoos

• Email:

  herman@scsynod.com

  Bio:

  Born in Concord, N.C., The Rev. Dr. Herman R. Yoos III graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Southern, in Columbia. He studied at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and earned a doctorate in ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga.

   

  Yoos was ordained in 1979 and served as pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Charlotte, N.C., and Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Charleston, S.C., before Good Shepherd Lutheran Church called him to Columbia in 1996.

   

  He and his wife Cindy are parents of three adult children.

Misty West

• Email:

  mwest@westelectrical.com

  Bio:

  Misty West is the daughter of Billy and Peggie West of Newberry. She was born in Newberry and attended Newberry Academy and then Newberry High School. Starting in high school, Misty became active in the community through church and civic organizations through school. She attended Winthrop College in Rock Hill, S.C. graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Visual Arts.

   

  After graduation, Misty returned to the family business to assist her father in expanding into land development, real estate investments, and general contracting. For the last 25 years, she has worked to build retail, commercial and industrial facilities in Newberry County. She has been active in recruiting businesses to Newberry County which has created hundreds of jobs. In 2009, Misty led an effort to secure, finance, and restore the Historic Oakland Mill on Fair Avenue, providing housing for Newberry College thus offering Newberry it's first market rate luxury apartments. She continues to to work with the Oakland project to ensure the positive impact on the entire area known as the Oakland Mill Village.

   

  Misty has been an active supporter of Newberry College over the past 25 years in business. She holds the honor of having worked in or on every building on campus. Many of these projects she has designed for the College and worked to deliver the most cost effective solution. It has truly been her pleasure to assist the school in any way possible. Her desire is to see the continued growth and success of the college and its strong positive impact on the Newberry community.

Eric Wells

• Email:

  ewells@siconsultants.com

  Bio:

  Eric Wells graduated from Newberry College in 1987. At Newberry he is chairman of the Athletic Club Board of Advisors.

   

  Wells is cofounder and co-owner of Southeastern Insurance Consultants. He has worked in all facets of the employee benefits industry since getting his start as service representative for Jefferson Pilot in 1989. He has gone on to successfully manage territories for both Jefferson Pilot and Mid-South Insurance Company, before getting into the broker side in 1999. Since then, Wells has gone on to assist many clients with their health, life and dental plans.

Joe Trainor

• Email:

  joetrainor@stokestrainor.com

  Bio:

  Joseph A. Trainor, III is the owner of Stokes-Trainor Chevrolet-Pontiac-Cadillac-Buick-GMC in Newberry, S.C.  He has 27 years of experience in the automotive industry including sales professional, business manager, general sales manager, general manager and owner. 

   

  Active in his community, Trainor is a member of Colony Lutheran Church and serves on the Church council.  He is currently a member of the Newberry Business Alliance Board, Newberry County Memorial Hospital Board (Vice Chairman) and Newberry County YMCA Board.  He has served on the Newberry Chamber of Commerce/Development Board, Newberry County Airport Commission and Newberry County Hospital Foundation.  Joe is also a member of the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs Advisory Committee. 

   

  Joe and his wife, Carla, live in Prosperity, S.C. and have two sons, John Wesley and Samuel Christian.

Frank Snyder

• Email:

  fsnyder@comporium.net

  Bio:

  Frank S. Snyder is a 1970 graduate of Newberry College, where he earned a BS in Business Administration and was a member of the Newberry College basketball team. He earned his M.Ed. from the University of South Carolina in 1974. He retired as Vice President of Human Resources at Caraustar Industrial & Consumer Products Group in Rock Hill, SC. He received the honors of "Young Man of the Year," Rock Hill, SC (1978) and "Executive of the Year," Rock Hill, SC (1993). Snyder is a member of the Palmetto Club and United Way of Greater Rock Hill. He is a Deacon and serves as an adult Sunday School teacher at Oakland Baptist Church. In 1992, he earned national certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from the Society for Human Resources Management.

   

  Snyder is a member of Newberry College Board of Trustees. He and his wife, Lynn, reside in Rock Hill, SC. They have two grown children and two grandchildren.

Barbara Hartley Carey

• Bio:

  Barbara Hartley Carey graduated from Newberry College in 1965 with a B.S in Biology. Her other education includes the Citadel, Charleston, S.C - M.A.T. - Area of concentration- Mathematics (1972-1973) and Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut  in pursuit of Certificate of Advanced Studies in Administration (1989).

   

  Carey’s professional experiences include Head of School at King Low-Heywood Thomas School, Stamford, CT (retired 2002) where she also served as Director of Admissions, Head of Upper School, Head of Middle School, teacher of mathematics and science and coach from 1980-1998.  As Head of School she served on all standing committees of the Board of Trustees. In 1986-1989 she took a leave of absence to teach mathematics and chair the Math/ Science department at the Saudi Arabian International School in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

   

   From 1965-1980 her experience included teaching middle and high school mathematics and science in Florida, South Carolina and Delaware.  She also served as Budget Director for the Charleston County Public Schools (1969-70). Carey has served on and/or chaired accreditation teams for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), and European Council of Independent Schools (ECIS).  She has also served on the Board of Directors for CAIS and the National Council for Community and Justice.  During her tenure at King Low-Heywood Thomas School she attended the Independent School Management Institute Middle School Heads and the National Association of Independent Schools Summer Institute for Heads of School. 

   

  Since returning to South Carolina in August of 2009 she has become active in the Pelion community where she serves on the Pelion Town Council, is president of the Ruritan Club, volunteers at the Pelion High School and acts as a substitute organist for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church where she if a member. Carey also serves on the Newberry College Foundation Board of Visitors.

Hap Pearce

• Email:

  hap@pearcelawnc.com

  Bio:

  Hugo A. “Hap” Pearce has been a member of the of the law firm Burris, MacMillan, Pearce and Burris, PLLC in Charlotte, N.C., since 1995. He represents small businesses and individuals in North Carolina and South Carolina in all aspects of their business operations, including the acquisition and sale of properties, mergers, and civil litigation. He has been involved in the sale, acquisition, and financing of more than 250 hotels, commercial properties, and other businesses.

   

  Hap was born in Charleston, S.C. In 1967, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Newberry College. While at Newberry, he was president of Kappa Alpha Order, member of State Student Legislature, and representative for Men’s Council. His honors include membership in the Blue Key Honor society and Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities.After graduating from Newberry, he attended the University of South Carolina School of Law in Columbia, S.C., where he received his Juris Doctorate in 1973.

   

  He and his wife, Janice Davis Pearce, currently reside in Charlotte, N.C. They have three children and four grandchildren.

Fred Johnston

• Email:

  fb.johnston@hotmail.com

  Bio:

  Fred B. Johnston, II, is from White Rock, S.C. Johnston attended Cornell University for two years, studying engineering as well as liberal arts. He transferred to Northwestern and graduated with a degree in business in 1961. He is retired from F. B. Johnston Graphics.

   

  Johnston has served as Chairman and CEO of F.B. Johnston Graphics, Chairman of the Screen Printing Technical Foundation, Vice Chairman of the Lexington Medical Center Foundation, Chairman of Saluda Shoals Foundation and Founding Member and Chairman of Digital Graphics Group/International. He also serves a member of the Board of Directors for both the Midland Technical College Foundation and the Screen Printing & Graphic Imaging Association. Johnston is a recipient of the Parmalee Award, which is the highest recognition given in his industry.

   

  He is married to Derlie Johnston and they have three children, Fred B. Johnston, III, Scott G. Johnston and Allison Henry.

Bob James

• Email:

  rfj@thermaflowengineering.com

  Bio:

  Robert “Bob” Franklin James, II, graduated from Newberry College in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Before coming to Newberry, James attended and graduated from Camden Military Academy located in Camden, S.C., in 1975. He currently serves as Owner and President of Thermaflo Engineering Company Inc., a manufacturer of steam fired specialty equipment in Charlotte, N.C. From 1979-1982 he was a Sales Representative for Mec-tric Controls Company, President of Spirax Sarco Inco, Representative Association from 1996-1998, and Owner and President of The R. F. James Company, from 1983-1999.

   

  At Newberry College James served as President of Tau kappa Epsilon Fraternity, President of the Newberry College Golf Association and was a member of the Golf Team, Interfraternity Counsel, and Students for Political Action. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Omicron Theta Tau Kappa Alumni Association and served as President of the TKE Alumni Association.

   

  James and his wife Verice Williams of Georgetown, S.C., live in Marvin, N.C., with their children Shaw and Sara.

Eddie Havird

• Email:

  eddieh@palmettopropane.com

  Bio:

  After graduating from Newberry College, Ed began working for Palmetto Propane & Ice and Havird Oil Company.  Ed is currently the president of the company.

   

  He has served as president of the Batesburg-Leesville Chamber of Commerce, the Ponderosa Country Club, and the South Carolina Propane Gas Association.  He currently serves on the Deacon Board at First Baptist Church of Batesburg and the SCANA Advisory Board.  He is also a Mentor at the Batesburg-Leesville School.

   

  Ed and Sharon are members of the Newberry College President’s Club, both having served on the Executive Committee.  They have hosted several socials for alumni and friends of the Midlands in their home.

Larry DiBiase

• Email:

  larry.dibiase.clg7@statefarm.com

  Bio:

  Larry DiBiase is a native of Georgetown, South Carolina, graduating from Winyah High School in 1965. He graduated from Newberry College in 1969 with a BA in History and Political Science and earned his M.A.T. Degree in Administration and Physical Education in 1974 from Winthrop University. While attending Newberry, he was a member of the Men's Basketball and Baseball teams, Student Sports Information Director, Dorm Councelor, Chairman of the State Student Legislature and Social Chairman of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

   

  He was a successful high school basketball coach at Camden High School, reaching the State Playoffs all 4 years, an assistant basketball coach at the Baptist College, now Charleston Southern University and returned to his alma mater, becoming the head basketball coach in 1977, leading the Indians to five 20+ win season in his six years as head coach. For the past 23 years, her has been a State Farm Agent in Camden, S.C. He's a member of State Farm's President's Club, Legion of Honor, Silver Scroll, Golden Triangle, Millionaire Club, Health Honor Club and RVP Council.

   

  He is the former President of the Newberry College Alumni Association and a member of the President's club, Athletic Club, and Letterman's Club. He's an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, worked with the hospital foundation and been active in the Recreation Department of Kershaw County.

   

  He was married for 33 and a half years to the former Fran Hall DiBiase (deceased) and has three children, a daughter and twin sons, all born in Newberry, and three grandchildren: Carmen DiBiase Atkins, (Mac) and grandsons Tilden Elliott and Carter McMillian; son Angelo DiBiase, (Margaret) and granddaughter Pearson Sue; and son Gabriel Gene (Mallie).

Trey Castles

• Email:

  jbcastles@pedassoc.com

  Bio:

  Trey Castles is a 1994 graduate of Newberry College. He later earned a doctor of medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina - Charleston, in 2000. He is currently a physician at Pediatric Associates. 

   

  He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, SC Chapter, the South Carolina Medical Association, the Medical University of South Carolina Alumni Association, and the Newberry College Athletic Club and Letterman's Club. He has been awarded the Richard J. Davis, MD Award and  the Biadin Rolden Award in 2003 upon completion of his Residency. He was also awarded the Philip T. Kelly, Jr. Award (Newberry College Young Alumnus Award) in 1999.

   

  His is currently on the Health and Welfare Committee at Shandon United Methodist Church and assists in church and community health education events. He is an executive member of the Bearcat Booster Club at Brookland Cayce High School where he coordinates fund-raising activities and sporting events.

   

  He is married to Elizabeth Chitty Castles and they have four children.

Laura Black

• Email:

  lblack33@gmail.com

  Bio:

  Laura N. Black, of Central, South Carolina, graduated cum laude from Newberry College in 1971 with a B.A. in English and Secondary Education. Laura received both a Master’s Degree (1972) and a Ph.D. (1980) from the University of South Carolina. 

  
  
  A career educator, Black retired as a tenured full professor in 2006 and was named Professor Emerita at Southern Wesleyan University, where she has taught since 1980. Her experience in higher education also includes teaching at Limestone, Trident Technical College, Tri-County Technical College, and USC. During her career she also taught at Liberty, Lexington, and Summerville High Schools and at Dent Junior High School. Laura was the Teacher of the Year at Walhalla High in 2009-10, at Liberty High School in 1990-91. She was also a finalist for the Pickens County Teacher of the Year award in 1990. Additionally she was named “Faculty Member of the Year” three times at SWU. Since retiring from higher education in 2006, she has taught English and Latin at Walhalla High School, while teaching graduate courses at SWU and Anderson University as her schedule allows. 
   

  Career highlights include working as consultant, writer, and editor of the ADEPT Teacher Evaluation Instrument for the South Carolina Department of Education from 1993-94. She also served on the State Department of Education Teacher Education Evaluation Teams for Coker College, Erskine College and USC-Spartanburg. She has also chaired the Educational Programs and Faculty committees for SACS reviews. In 2006, she was NCATE Contextual Framework Editor and Writer for Southern Wesleyan University and she worked on the school’s NCTE Standards Report for NCATE Accreditation. She served as president of the South Carolina Departments of English in 2004-2005. Laura received the Presidential Citation for Service to Southern Wesleyan University (2006) and the Governor's Distinguished Professor Award (2000). 
   

  Laura is a charter member of the Newberry College President’s Club, a life member of the Women’s Auxiliary, and a member of the Newberry Athletic Club. A 1971 Bachman Honor Society member, Laura received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from Newberry College in 1984 and has served on the Alumni Board of Managers and the Kappa Delta Alumnae Advisory Boards for Newberry and Clemson. 
   

  Laura is married to Ron Black, a retired high school administrator and social studies teacher. They have a son and a daughter and also enjoy their two grandsons.
   

Mike Beggs

• Office: Keller 102

  Office Phone: 803-321-5198

  Email:

  mike.beggs@newberry.edu

  Bio:

  Dr. Beggs earned his Ph.D. in Theology (Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity) from the University of Notre Dame. His Ph.D. work explored the first Christian history and Christian identity formation in Greco-Roman antiquity which has led to a life-long interest in the nature of Christian identity in a multicultural church. His master’s work at Yale Divinity School focused on Early Christian Theology. He received his B.A. in Biblical Studies and B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education from Abilene Christian University.

   

  Prior to joining the faculty at Newberry College in 2002, Dr. Beggs taught at Livingstone College (Salisbury, NC) as well as Elmhurst College (Elmhurst, IL). He has also served as the pastor in churches in Illinois, Indiana and Connecticut. Over the past few years, Dr. Beggs has directed grant funded programming serving the needs of immigrant children in Columbia and Newberry County. He has also served as a presenter on World Religions and a panelist on local Interfaith Dialogue forums.

Wick Ashburn, Emeritus

• Email:

  wick@ashburnrealestate.com

  Bio:

  William W. “Wick” Ashburn III, was born in Savannah, Ga. He and his wife, Margie Manley
  Ashburn, also from Savannah, have five daughters, one is a graduate of Newberry College.
  Wick received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Newberry College in 1965, and a Juris Doctor degree from the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University, Macon Ga., in 1974. He was in the active practice of law in Savannah as the senior partner in the law firm of Ashburn, Beckmann, and Lewis, P.A. During this time Wick also served professionally as Judge Pro-Tem in the Superior Court of the Eastern Judicial Circuit of Georgia.
  
  While in Savannah, Wick served volunteered on the Board of Directors of Skytel Aviation, Inc., Ducks Unlimited (serving also as President), and Montgomery Fire Department Inc. of Savannah (now Southside Fire Department).
  
  In 1985, Wick and Margie moved to Highlands, N.C., where they own Coldwell Banker Ashburn Real Estate. Wick is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Highlands-Cashiers Board of Realtors and Multiple Listing Service, and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the National and North Carolina Association of Realtors, the Georgia Bar Association, and the Highlands Rotary Club.
  
  Wick and Margie are active members of Community Bible Church in Highlands. They have also served on the Boards of the Southeastern Conference of CBMC (Christian Business Men’s Committee) and Vision Foundation, Inc.

Rusty Brodie, Emeritus

• Email:

  wobbsw@bellsouth.net

  Bio:

  Willard O."Rusty" Brodie III, graduated from Newberry College in 1977, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.  He has been a partner in Brodie, Summers & Wilkes, CPAs, LLP in Orangeburg, SC since 1980.  He is a member of the S.C. Association of CPAs and AICPA and a member of Episcopal Church of the Redeemer where he served on the Vestry and Finance Committee.  His civic organizations include: the Kiwanis Club of Orangeburg, Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association (Economic Restructuring Committee), and Advisory Board Member for the South Carolina Bank & Trust.

  Rusty has been married to Cindy Brodie since 1979 and they have two daughters.

  children and four grandchildren.

Raymond Caughman, Emeritus

James Gerding, Emeritus

Dan Page, Emeritus

Wayne Pearson, Emeritus

• Email:

  Wpearson@southcoastbank.com

  Bio:

  L. Wayne Pearson was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lowcountry Savings Bank in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., from 1986 until it was acquired by Carolina First Bank in 1997. In addition to these duties, he was Vice Chairman of the Lowcountry Board of Directors. Prior to that time, Pearson was Vice President for the Savings Division of Cooper River Federal Savings and Loan Association, in North Charleston, S.C.

  Pearson has been a resident of the East Cooper Area of Charleston for 35 years. He is a 1970 graduate of Newberry College, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

  He is currently serving his second four-year term as a Board Member of the State Board of Financial Institutions. From 1990 to 1998, he served as an Advisory Board member of the Community Financial Institutions of South Carolina. He has also served on the Newberry College Board of Alumni Managers.

  Other activities associated with Newberry College:

  President Club
  Athletic Club
  Alumni Chairman of the Annual Fund Giving
  Alumni Board of Managers
  Parents Association
  Founding member of Newberry College Alumni and Parents Association (NCAPAN)

  Personal: Married to Patricia Brehmer Pearson, 1969 USC - BA; 1972 USC Law (Patricia is one of the first 100 women admitted to the SC Bar Association). They have two children, Lewis Wayne, Jr. and Patrick Carter. They are members of All Saints Lutheran Church in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Mike Reid, Emeritus

• Email:

  michaelereidnby@yahoo.com

  Bio:

  Serving as the Process Engineer of Track for Norfolk Southern Corporation in Atlanta, Ga., Michael E. Reid has played a vital role in the planning and execution of the Norfolk Southern Infrastructure Capital and Expense Improvement Programs. These programs range in the $500-700 million range on an annual basis and included 4500-7000 employees. He is a member of the Roadmasters Association, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association, and the AILG-Diversity Council of Atlanta, Ga.

  An active supporter of Newberry College, Reid is a former Board Member of the Family Association and worked with his wife to refurbish the Cromer Hall lobby. He has also helped organize and sponsor golf tournaments to raise money for the Kappa Alpha Chapter and Muscular Dystrophy Foundation and a golf tournament for the Newberry College Men's Basketball Program. In addition, he has organized and sponsored the endowment scholarship in honor of Martin Luther Denton.

David Vorpagel, Emeritus

• Email:

  drvorp@gmail.com

  Bio:

  David L. Vorpagel started his career with the Aid Association for Lutherans in April of 1964, as a District Representative in the Orlando, Fla., area. He was appointed Management Assistant in the Florida Agency in 1979 and Assistant General Agent in Memphis, Tenn., in 1982. Vorpagel was appointed General Agent of the Florida Agency in 1983.
  
  He has been the recipient of National Sales Achievement Awards and national quality Awards both as a District Representative and during his management career. Vorpagel was recognized by the Aid Association for Lutherans with the Agency Builder award in 1991 and 1992. He has served as a leader on congregational and district levels as well as professional organizations.
  
  Vorpagel and his wife, Ruth, live in Pickens, S.C. They have two daughters, Lisa and Sarah. Lisa is an alumna of Newberry College. He has retired from AAL and enjoys time with his children and grandchildren on their farm.
  
   

Billy Walker, Emeritus

• Email:

  bw@walkermorgan.com

  Bio:

  William P. Walker, Jr., is one of the most experienced trial attorneys in South Carolina. A lawyer since 1973, Walker has represented clients in over 200 jury trials. He has considerable experience in all phases of complex personal injury litigation including burn trauma and electrical injury cases, construction litigation, products liability, various types of wrongful death claims, and serious motor vehicle personal injury cases. His practice is largely limited to complex cases involving burn injuries related to fires and explosions. He has litigated cases in many states including South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, California and New York.

   

  He is a sustaining member of the American Association for Justice, where he holds the Founders Club status. He is also a member of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association and the South Carolina Bar Association with previous service as an elected member of the House of Delegates. His professional life includes membership in the American Bar Association, American Judicature Society and the Civil Justice Foundation. He is also a member of two legal groups that are by invitation only, the Melvin Belli Society and the Southern Trial Lawyers Association. Walker also served as President of the Lexington Economic Development Association, was former Chairman and is a current member of the Board of the Newberry College Foundation, and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 2002-2012.

   

  He is also a frequent lecturer on various legal issues at seminars and conventions where he is invited to present writings on important topics and trial tactics.

  Newberry College (B.A. 1969)
  University of South Carolina (J.D. 1973)
  Admitted to Bar, 1973, South Carolina
  4th Circuit Court of Appeals (1978)
  United States District Court for South Carolina (1974)
  Supreme Court of the United States (1979)

Billye West, Emeritus

• Email:

  linda@westelectrical.com

  Bio:

  A Newberry native, Billye West was born to John B. and Gertie Mays West on February 2, 1938. He attended Newberry County schools and graduated from Newberry High in 1956. He attended the Palmetto Military Academy and graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1961.

  West is the president of West Electrical Contractors of Newberry, Inc., and owner of both West Development Company (real estate development) and Mini Warehouses of Newberry College.

   

  He is a member of Carolinas AGC; S.C. Waterfowl, Newberry Quail & Dove Association.; Newberry Business Alliance, Newberry County Development Board/Chamber of Commerce; Newberry Country Club; Newberry Moose Lodge; ISBA - Newberry High School; former state president of Mechanical Contractors Association of South Carolina; and former president of Midlands Area Mechanical Contractors Association of South Carolina.

   

  West and his wife Peggie have five children (Misty, Brandy, Tiffany, Billye II and Sabin) and are members of the First Baptist Church, Newberry, S.C.

Ed West, Emeritus