The Student Life Leadership Council (SLLC) is composed of alumni, parents, and friends of the Division of Student Life who work with divisional leadership to maximize each UA student’s learning experiences.
The objectives of the Leadership Council are to:
Individuals interested in learning more about SLLC should contact Student Life at 205-348-6275 or studentlife@ua.edu.
Mark holds a BBA from the University of Texas at Arlington and a MBA from Butler University. Mark is a lifetime banker with successful track record of helping privately owned businesses advance, grow, and manage their wealth. Currently, Mark is in the early phase of starting a new bank in Houston. Mark serves on numerous boards including the Houston Area Urban League, the Montrose Center, the Greater Houston Port Bureau, Houston Complete Communities, and the Houston Golf Association. He is a trustee at Houston Grand Opera and a member of the Houston Rodeo Steer Auction Committee. Married to Shae Keefe-Jacobs who is an Attorney in Houston. Mark and his wife play golf, attend football games, travel together, and enjoy serving Houston.
Misti attended the University of Oklahoma. Misti served as the Education Director of a children’s museum in Midland, Texas for 10+ years. She has a history of volunteer work with The Junior League of Midland and helped found a local food pantry called Mission Agape, where she has served as a board member for the past 12 years. She was born in Dallas, Texas and now resides in Midland, Texas with her husband Eric. They have three children, the youngest of whom is currently a senior at the University of Alabama. Misti and her husband have a passion for travel, mission work, and family.
Don graduated cum laude in 1981 from the Capstone with a degree in accounting. He worked in Birmingham, AL as a CPA for 9 years. After that he worked for MetLife for 27+ years in a variety of positions and locations (Atlanta/New York/New Jersey). Now retired, Don lives in Lake Oconee, GA and enjoys playing golf daily.
Emmanuel enjoys do-it-yourself projects, grilling, and baking.
Washington, DC
Donna lives outside Philadephia and grew up in New Jersey. Donna is a HR leader, career coach, and student mentor with 20+ years of HR experience in organizations from startup stage to early-stage through Fortune 100 businesses as well as 10+ years of volunteer experience working with youth. Donna currently works as an independent HR consultant and a career coach and serves on the Rider University Women’s Leadership Council and her local school district’s DEI Task Force. Donna’s passion is helping young adults start their careers and feel confident in themselves and their abilities. Donna has many family members who live in Alabama and grew up spending her summers at Smith Lake.
Rhonda and her husband are both University of Alabama graduates, where she earned her bachelor’s and MBA. Rhonda works for American Express in a sales support function where she arranges logistics for home offices of newly-hired salespeople, manages costs for various assets used by the organization, and participates in special projects when they cross her area of expertise. Rhonda has two daughters: one a senior at the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing, and the other an 8th grader. Rhonda and her husband live on the Magnolia River in Baldwin County, Alabama, where they enjoy spending time outdoors.
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Innovative communications is a passion for Natalie Corey Gaines, who began her career after graduating from the University of Alabama as a producer for local television stations. In 1993, as the Operations Manager, Natalie helped to grow AMS Production Studios into the largest commercial video production company in the Southwest. The Southern Gas Association recruited Natalie in 2001 to manage their expanding Distance Learning Network where she led a team for 16 years producing marketing and training programs for Natural Gas companies. She also received her Masters of Communications from Southern Methodist University in 2001. Throughout her 28-year communications career, Natalie has managed campaigns that link people, ideas, and information to help bridge gaps and build collaboration between varying generations, executives, and corporations. She is currently a Mass Media Marketing leader for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Natalie resides in Birmingham, Alabama and serves as a community volunteer for the Hoover City School District, Sidewalk Cinema and Film Festival, Riverchase Women’s Club, and Alpha Chi Omega national fraternity. Natalie enjoys writing, biking, and traveling with her three teenagers: Kamryn, Sean, and Jordyn Corey.
John received his master’s in administrative management from Bowie State University and his bachelor’s in economics from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. John is the Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President, Business Planning at Carhartt and is responsible for leading the company’s technology strategy and its implementation to assist in the achievement of the company’s growth objectives. John has held many leadership positions at global companies such as W.W. Grainger, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, General Motors, and IBM. John is currently a doctor student studying digitalization.
Shelia earned a Bachelor, Master, and Education Specialist degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Alabama. Shelia has been an educator for 22 years, and her husband Mike is the Deputy Chief of Police in Florence, Alabama, where they now reside. Shelia has a daughter who attends the University of Alabama. Shelia and her husband are actively involved in their church and community and are also foster parents for their local DHR.
Eric holds a bachelor of science from Texas A&M University in Mechanical Engineering Technology and served on the founding advisory board of Texas A&M Dubai. Eric has been involved in the oil and gas industry with various companies for over 36 years. During this time, he has worked both domestically and internationally in Russia, Romania, and Ukraine. Eric is currently V.P. of Operations and Partner at Element Petroleum, and he has shepherded 11 asset sales netting $1.2 Billion to its private equity partner. Eric has been granted numerous awards, including Volunteer Achievement for the Museum of the Southwest, Boy Scouts of America Lifetime Achievement, and Permian Basin Petroleum Association Distinguished Lecturer. He and his wife Misti currently reside in Midland, Texas, and have a student attending the University of Alabama studying geology and environmental science.
Jessica holds an undergraduate degree is in business management with an emphasis in finance, and she also holds a master of aducation in instructional technology from Georgia Southern University. Jessica is currently completing a doctorate in Workforce Education at the University of Georgia, and is a member of the Junior League of Savannah. Jessica serves as the Admissions Coordinator at Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts in Savannah, Georgia, where she also teaches Business Education and is the Career and Technical Education department chair. She is an advisor for Future Business Leaders of America and National Honor Society, and a member of the Georgia Business Education Association and the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education. Jessica is a native of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and she and her husband and two children currently live in Savannah, Georgia. Jessica is crafty and creative and enjoys traveling, playing tennis, reading, and watching SEC football.
Jeffrey owns a real estate brokerage with offices in New Jersey and Florida. Jeffrey also spent three years as a private military contractor in Iraq. Jeffrey has three daughters, two of which are currently attending the University of Alabama—one as a freshman, one as a graduate student. Originally from California, Jeffrey and his wife now live in New Jersey.
Brigitte is a communication professional with over 20 years of experience in the television media industry. Brigitte’s expertise lies in content logistics and content supply chain and traffic. Brigitte has a passion for helping young people reach their peak potential through career coaching to gain internships and front-line employment. A native Atlantan, Brigitte enjoys reading and movies.
Dallas, Georgia
Alexandria, Virginia
Vickie earned her BS degree in mathematics from San Diego State University and her MBA from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Vickie is Vice President at Alight Solutions and is based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Vickie joined Alight in 2010 and has over 25 years of customer experience, operations management, and leadership experience working for Fortune 500 companies, including American Express and United Health Group. Vickie is married with 3 children, her youngest currently a student at the University of Alabama. Vicki is also is the proud mom to three Golden Doodles and enjoys traveling.
Ajay attended Boston College and has spent the majority of his life living in the Boston area. Ajay and his wife Starla are both involved in the University of Alabama Parents Council and SLCC. They have a son currently attending the University of Alabama. Ajay’s background is in Occupational and Environmental Health, but his love of sports propelled him to start two sports-related companies: one with sports sunscreens and then as the President & CEO of Playboy Golf (a partnership with Playboy Enterprises) for 15 years. Ajay coaches football and baseball and enjoys spending time outdoors with three golden retrievers.
Starla and her husband Ajay, who is also involved in the University of Alabama Parents Council and SLCC, live just outside Boston, where they have raised their twin sons Ravi and Vijay. Vijay graduated from the University of Alabama in 2017 with a degree in Marketing and a specialization in Real Estate. Starla served on the UA Parent Advisory Council for 4 years before joining the SLLC, where she is able to support the University and help recruit prospective members to the SLLC, as well as serve as a resource to parents and students from the New England area. Starla enjoys watching football, skiing, cross stitching, and traveling.
Cathy is a University of Alabama Graduate from the Capstone School of Nursing, class of 1979, and holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from Seton Hall. Cathy holds a career in nursing, health management and outpatient surgery consulting. Cathy is passionate about dog rescue and fostering, having seven rescue dogs, herself. Cathy has been an Alabama sports fan since childhood and currently lives in South Carolina, but has a part-time (and future retirement) home in Tuscaloosa.
Ed attended North Carolina State University as an undergraduate, class of 1976, and the Wake Forest University School of Medicine from 1976-1980. Ed completed his medical residency at the Greenville Hospital System in Orthopedic Surgery then a fellowship in Hand and Microsurgery at the University of Alabama. Ed and his wife Cathy have two daughters, and Ed enjoys dog rescue endeavors as well as wine, bourbon, and Alabama football.
Montgomery, Alabama
Lance is retired after a 36-year career in law enforcement in Southern California. Lance is married with two daughters, one of whom attends the University of Alabama. He loves traveling, golfing, and sports in general.
Jet and his wife Tammra live in Irvine, California, where Jet is Owner and CEO of Integrated Computer Technologies. Jet has worked in IT since 1997, having worked for the government in classified programs and projects and the first Mars Mission. Before a career in IT, Jet was a golf professional, retired coach, and director of a women’s professional road cycling team. Jet has worked with many athletes on the Olympic and professional level and has traveled around the world. Jet served our country in the Iraq and Afghanistan War. Jet and his Wife have three daughters, one of whom is a sophomore at the University of Alabama studying interior design with a minor in broadcasting.
Julie graduated from The University of Rhode Island in 1986 with a degree in English. Her son Charlie recently graduated from University of Alabama with a degree in business. Julie is very passionate about building relationships through her current role at Clark University in philanthropic initiatives as well as helping to build philanthropic partnerships through the leadership council here at UA. Julie and her husband John live in Barrington, Rhode Island, where they spend time at the beach with family and friends.
