Alumni Fellows - 2018

Alumni Fellows 2018

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Brenton S. “Brent” Brasher

Brenton S. “Brent” Brasher places earning his two MSU degrees among his greatest accomplishments. And at this point in his life, Brent acknowledges he is incredibly humbled to be recognized by MSU as an Alumni Fellow since the university and the community of Starkville have meant so much to him.

A Mississippi native, Brent began his higher education at Northwest Community College, where he earned an associate’s degree. From there, he enrolled at MSU. During his time at MSU, he received great advice and mentoring from his professors, and he still carries the positive impact with him every day.

On campus, Brent fondly recalls game days spent cheering the Diamond Dawgs from Left Field Lounge with friends, along with much time devoted to his studies. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture economics in 1985 and 1991, respectively.

Brent has experienced much success in his professional career. He is currently the president of the Charleston, Mississippi-based Kengro Corporation. Earlier, Brent was a research associate with Mississippi State, and he believes he could not have developed the Kengro Corporation without continued partnerships with MSU. He feels his greatest professional accomplishment involved “taking a risk to grow kenaf [a tropical plant] and establishing a business through that risk.” Outside of the Kengro Corporation, Brent spends his time as a self-employed farmer.

In his volunteerism, Brenton proudly served as a board member of the MSU Alumni Association and as president of the association’s Tallahatchie County Chapter. He has held membership with the boards of the Grenada School District, the South Delta Workforce Development Area, the Duncan Gray Center, and the USDA Crop Insurance and Advisory Committee. Additionally, he was chairman of the Mississippi Biomass Council.

Brent and his wife, Gabriela, live in the Mississippi town of Holcomb.

College of Architecture, Art and Design
Lance Davis

Lance Davis recalls his days as a Bulldog student. He fondly remembers falling in love with his wife, Melanie, now a fellow architect and alumnus, being a part of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, and being on the men’s soccer team.

A turning point while studying at MSU helped Lance define his career. The constructive comments from his teacher and jury about his first house design led him to reevaluate his path, instead devoting his career to sustainable design endeavors. And, he attributes the group projects he completed while studying in the MSU architecture program with enabling his success. He earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture from MSU in 1995.

Lance followed his desire to be a sustainable architect wherever his professional career journey led him. His accomplished work is evident in several attractions in Washington, D.C., including the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. Lance also helped develop the sustainable building movement and considers it his greatest professional accomplishment.

During his time at MSU, Lance volunteered with the Habitat for Humanity group and helped build more than 6 houses. Since then, he has volunteered with Matthew Henson Earth Conservation Corporation and helped design and construct the first planted roof on a commercial building in Washington, D.C. He now volunteers with the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment and the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system, bringing new ideas to international markets.

Not only is his success evident in architecture and design, Lance is also a published author. He has written three books that heavily cover the building standards for most federal buildings, while touching on the process of hiring optimum teams for related projects. In addition, Lance has done much work with legislation that has helped lead areas such as Arlington County, Virginia, to be considered the “greenest” county in the nation.

Lance is currently the program manager for Design Excellence Architecture and Sustainability with the U.S. General Services Administration in Washington, D.C. He and Melanie now live in Edgewater, Maryland.

College of Arts and Sciences
Greg J. Barker

Greg J. Barker graduated from MSU in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in communication. He proudly acknowledges the MSU Alumni Association and his academic college for recognizing him as an Alumni Fellow, and he feels incredibly humbled by the institution and community that has meant so much in his life.

During his time at MSU, Greg learned the importance of being a well-rounded person and leader. These principles built upon the traits his mother instilled in him at a young age. She taught him the importance of faith, family, and a tireless work ethic—all values which remain with Greg to this day.

After graduation from MSU, Greg continued his education through the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. He put his education from both higher education institutions he attended into practice, building a noteworthy 15-year reputation in economic development. He has helped create a significant economic impact on the state of Alabama, assisting in bringing several automobile manufacturers and suppliers over the last decade.

Greg began working at the Alabama Power Company in 2010 as senior vice president of business development and customer support. He then transitioned into the senior vice president for marketing and economic development in 2012. Since 2016, he has been executive vice president for customer services.

A Mississippi native of Meridian, Greg recognizes being part of incredible economic development teams that have helped secure thousands of jobs as his greatest professional accomplishment. Today, Greg and his wife, Laurie, reside in Birmingham, Alabama.

College of Business
Thomas “Tom” G. Hixon, Sr.

Thomas “Tom” G. Hixon, Sr. acknowledges Mississippi State gave him the foundation for success when he graduated in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

“What I’ve done professionally through the years very much relies on having a good business background, and that is exactly what I got at State,” said Tom. “MSU shaped my life with a lot of life lessons.”

After college, Tom worked for the U.S. Army and Air Force Exchange Service, dealing with retail stores in the annex of the Pentagon. After military employment, he shifted into accounting for food distribution and served as the CFO and director of operations of Valley Food Service. Next, he held several roles for Forestry Suppliers, Inc., among them co-owner, president, CFO, and general manager.

Following his time with Forestry Suppliers, Inc., Tom helped found Gulf South Medical Supply and achieved success there as co-owner, CEO, and chairman before the company merged with First Choice Medical Supply.

Although First Choice Medical Supply was sold to a pharmaceutical company known as McKesson, Tom has no plans to slow down. In fact, he manages commercial real estate as chairman of Phoenix Development Company, LLC.

Beyond his business interests, Tom devotes time to his family. He and his wife, Miriam, own a horse farm and live in Ridgeland. He is a Mississippi native who grew up in Charleston.

Tom also makes time for his alma mater. He serves on the board of directors for the MSU Bulldog Club and the MSU Foundation. As a student, he fondly recalls his time as a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, the Famous Maroon Band, and the Methodist Youth Fellowship.

College of Education
Susan Parkinson Lee

Susan Parkinson Lee considers time spent as a Famous Maroon Band member and meeting her husband, Joe, as some of her fondest MSU memories. Not only does she have the sense of fulfillment of being an Alumni Fellow, Susan acknowledges she is also filled with joy simply because she “bleeds maroon.”

Susan earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in K-3 from MSU in 1972. She credits MSU for providing her with the foundation for advancing her education as she continued her studies at Delta State University (DSU), earning master’s and doctoral degrees in education.

Fulfilling a lifelong dream, Susan began her career as a first-grade teacher in Grenada. She later held positions with the Indianola school district and with Delta State University, where she earned several degrees.

Since 2007, Susan has worked for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) in Jackson. Her early roles included service as as IHL Director of Academic Affairs and Director of P-16 Initiatives to ensure achievement of the system’s strategic goals and mission. In 2015, Lee became the Associate Commissioner for Academic and Student Affairs. With her job title, Susan serves as the university system’s chief academic officer, providing leadership for the development, interpretation, and implementation of student affair related policies.

Susan also holds several professional memberships and has been recognized in her field many times. She is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Delta Kappa, and the National Scholars Honor Society. She has been acknowledged through Mississippi’s 50 Exemplary Teachers, Biltmore Who’s Who Among Executives and Professional Women, and as a William J. Fulbright Scholar to Japan.

Born and reared in the Mississippi Delta, Susan grew up in Greenwood. Today, she and Joe, also an MSU alumnus, live in Madison.

James Worth Bagley College of Engineering
Catherine C. Dunn

Catherine C. Dunn thanks Mississippi State for teaching her the value of contributions that co-workers make to a project. Catherine utilizes the skills she learned at MSU as a project director at JS Held, LLC, a project manager at Hill International, and as an engineer with Durward Dunn Inc.

Catherine graduated with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from MSU in 1975 and also studied civil engineering at the University of New Orleans (UNO). She then completed her graduate studies at MSU for industrial engineering and UNO for civil engineering.

Over her noteworthy career, Catherine has gained 27 years of professional and corporate experience. She has used her education to repair the flood-damaged facilities of Livingston Parish Public Schools, complete assessments and associate demolitions bids for the Michigan State Housing Authority in Detroit, and served as the director of Port Development for the Port of New Orleans.

During on her time at MSU, Buffalo, New York native Catherine was very involved in campus life. She presided as student chapter president of the Institute of Industrial Engineering. She also was a Delta Delta Delta sorority member and served as academic chairman, and held membership on the MSU student activities board and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Society, among many other organizations and clubs.

Reflecting on time at Mississippi State, she recalls spending time with her boyfriend, and now husband, Durward, among her favorite experiences. “He would wait outside of my study groups to take me to a basketball game, baseball game or some other function,” said Catherine. “Thanks to him I discovered that there was more to my education experience than academics.”

Today, Catherine and Durward, a 1975 MSU management graduate, live in New Orleans, Louisiana. The couple has four children, all of whom proudly followed in their parents’ footsteps and attended MSU. For her university, Catherine has been an alumni officer and an advisory board member for the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering in the Bagley College.

College of Forest Resources
Craig F. Blair

Craig F. Blair said the first time he drove onto the Starkville campus, he possessed a newfound sense of opportunity that was laid before him at Mississippi State.

While enrolled, Craig said that interacting with fellow students and MSU faculty from diverse backgrounds helped prepare him for success in life. One of his favorite interactions included weekly brown bag lunches with Dr. Bill Duerr, a renowned forest economist and guest faculty member at MSU. Craig obtained his Master of Forestry degree from MSU in forest business in 1982.

Since graduation, Craig has enjoyed an over 36-year career with Resource Management Service, LLC (RMS) and the forest products industry. He has experience in acquisitions, resource planning, forest management, and wood procurement. Craig is currently the president and CEO of RMS and has responsibility for the investments and operating business in the United States, Australia, Brazil, China, and New Zealand.

In the forestry industry, Craig serves as chairman of both the board of managers and the investment committee for RMS. He also serves on the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, the National Alliance of Forest Owners, and the Auburn University Research Advisory Board. He previously served on the board of the Sustainable Forest Initiative, Inc.

“Leading a company that manages timberland investments in five countries is my greatest accomplishment and being recognized by my peers at the institution that shaped me is such an honor,” said Craig.

Craig and his wife, Rita, live on a tree farm in Ralph, Alabama. He became an ordained minister some two decades ago and presently serves as the pastor of Tuscaloosa Primitive Baptist Church.

College of Veterinary Medicine
Audra F. Alley

Audra Alley initially graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1993 and then graduated, again cum laude, with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1996.

Audra credits MSU with instilling the ideals that hard work and determination are keys to a successful career. She has served as an associate veterinarian in the states of North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Today, Audra is owner and lead veterinarian of Shiloh Animal Hospital and considers it her greatest professional accomplishment.

Audra is grateful to be honored as a 2018 Alumni Fellow. Furthermore, she is excited to share her experiences with students and encourage them as they progress in their studies. Returning to Starkville, she recalls her favorite memory at MSU as marrying her husband and best friend, Mark.

Along with her formal education, Audra bears many honors and certifications to enrich her resume. Audra holds a Certificate of Veterinary Acupuncture and a Certificate of Veterinary Medical Manipulation. In 2015, she held a position on the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

College of Veterinary Medicine
Mark L. Alley

Mark Alley recognizes being named a 2018 Alumni Fellow as a great honor and feels humbled knowing that he was selected by his peers.

Mark received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from MSU in 1996. Along with his education, Mark believes his parents and his former professor Dr. Wayne Groce molded his professionalism, integrity, and work ethic to help him become the successful man he is today.

Since 1997, Mark has held a wide array of professional positions. He served as associate veterinarian at Animal Wellness, Inc. and clinical instructor at North Carolina State University. He is currently a senior veterinarian with Zoetis Technical Service.

Over his career, Mark has received several honors and awards. He is a member of the North Carolina State University Animal Science Club Hall of Fame and the Zoetis President’s Circle. Also, he holds professional memberships in the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

A Mississippi native of Kosciusko, Mark recollects his fond memories at MSU, where he attended sporting events and played intramural sports with his friends. In addition, he said that completing his degree and marrying his wife, Audra, are his greatest accomplishments.