National Board of Directors

Chairwoman

Joni Fitch
BA ’07

Director, Community Affairs & Engagement
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Amber Genet Barkoukis
BA '06 MA '14

Executive Director Embracing Futures, Inc.

Theron Brown
BM ’13, MM'22

Pianist, Composer, Educator
Theron Brown Music

Dr. Eric Butler
BA'10

Higher Education Attorney
Bricker Graydon, LLP

Kevin Burwell
JD '19

VP & General Counsel
Kloeckner Metals Corporation

Laura Cessna
MSE'11

University Director of Career Services and Alumni Relations
South University

Shon Christy
BSBA'00, MSE'09

Founder and President
Shon Christy Social Media

Tracy S. Dowe, III
BSBA ’01

City President, Akron / Canton / Youngstown
Fifth Third Bank

Jeff Flowers
BS'07

CEO
Swensons

Dr. Jacquelyn R. Jones 
BS'01, MS'03

Assistant Vice President for Student Success
American Association of State Colleges and Universities 

Founder & CEO
Pathway to Purpose Consulting, LLC

Cristina Pastore
BS '03

Vice President
Kimley-Horn Consulting Firm

Andrea Ponikvar
BBA '12

VP of Philanthropy
Cleveland Zoological Society

Romeo Travis
BAMS '19

Entrepreneur

Rhonda Winslow
BSA '09, MBA '17

Vice President of Development Finance
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority

Immediate Past President

Dr. Tierney Bates
BA ’99, MA ’02

Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
University of South Carolina Upstate

Trina M. Carter
’92, ’98

Board of Trustees
The University of Akron

Brian L. Cherkala
JD ’78

Senior VP and National Director of Field Fiduciary Adm.
KeyBank

Kim M. Cole
BA ’93, MPA ’95

Vice President, Development
Executive Director UA Foundation
The University of Akron

Casey Davis
JD '14

Partner
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith

Christine Franz
'93

Senior Administrative Assistant
Alumni Relations
The University of Akron

Willy R. Kollman
BA ’08, MAED ’10

Assistant Vice President
Alumni Relations
The University of Akron