Concord University Noteworthy 2019 by Concord University

have a great umbrella I brought home from Knoxville, Tennessee last summer. I won’t be keeping it, and I’m looking forward to taking it back to its owner, Herb.

Herb Sanger graduated from Concord College in 1958, but his dedication to "The Campus Beautiful” grows with time. We had spoken on the phone and exchanged a few emails, but I wanted to meet this successful Concord alum in person. In Knoxville, on the 18th floor of one of the tallest buildings downtown, Mr. Sanger welcomed me into his law firm and offered me a glass of water, a much needed drink after a walk in the southern heat. He was warm, kind, and eager to share his love of Concord with me. Since his wife, Rita also attended Concord at the same time, Mr. Sanger had lots of memories to share.

Meeting with people who are rooted in Concord University is the best part of my job. In the pages of Noteworthy, there are many who, like Herb Sanger, have accomplished great things after graduating. It doesn’t matter how far I travel or who I meet, they all share one common goal: supporting the university that helped them make the most of their futures. As I was leaving, a thunderstorm moved in. Mr. Sanger immediately offered me his oversized golf umbrella. He assured me that I would have the opportunity to return it sometime in the future. Looking at the umbrella still propped up in the corner of my office is reassurance that his devotion to supporting the school that gave him his beginning is ongoing and ever strong.

Alicia Suka Besenyi Vice President for Advancement

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

3 7 11

Herbert Sanger Class of 1958

David Wayne Bolen Class of 1964

Joseph Altizer Class of 1986

15 19 23

Lori Davis Class of 1989

Erin Alls

Class of 2002

Christy Laxton Class of 2004

MAGAZINE STAFF Vice President for Advancement: Alicia Besenyei Director of Alumni and Donor Relations: Sarah Turner '98 Graphic Designer: Foster Sheppard '14 Staff Writer: Sarah M. Pritchett PR/Marketing Coordinator, Sr.: Amy Pitzer

Concord University Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV, 24712

Special Edition 2019

1-304-384-6311 • Fax: 1-304-384-6017 advancement@concord.edu • www.concord.edu

noteworthy

Herbert S. Sanger '58 Earns Distinction and Success in the Field of Law Herbert S. Sanger Jr.’s distinguished career in law spans nearly six decades. His lengthy and achievement filled professional life as an attorney has taken him from general counsel work to private practice. Service as a university professor is also on his impressive resume. Among his professional honors is being consistently listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” and having his biography published in “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who in American Law.” r. Sanger says that he recently retired after 57 years of practicing law. “I left the firm last year,” he explains adding that he still keeps involved with consulting and contract work. His firm, Wagner, Myers & Sanger P.C., has been a prominent Knoxville, TN, legal group since 1985. Born in Oak Hill, WV, Herb Sanger graduated from Oak Hill High School. The young lady who would later become his wife, Rita Baumgartner, was a classmate of his. “We went to high school together. We went to Concord together and married after graduation,” Herb said.

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Pursuing a degree in teaching, Rita focused her studies on art and English while Herb majored in political science and English. They graduated in 1958 with Herb earning an A.B. degree and Rita receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. “When we graduated, the commencement address was held in the auditorium in the Administration Building,” Herb said. He recalled that the speaker, Dr. Andy Holt, was “on point and very entertaining.” His affiliation with Dr. Holt would continue with his appointment as assistant professor in the University of Tennessee’s College of Law in 1962. He said Dr. Holt, UT’s president, was responsible for bringing him to the university “to teach administrative law.” »

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Herbert Sanger '58 with is wife, Rita Baumgartner Sanger '58.

As a Concord student, Herb said that Dr. George Moore had an important role in his academic and career pursuits. “I took about every course Dr. Moore had,” he said. Constitutional Law and State and Local Government were among these, he recalled. Describing Dr. Moore as “a first class guy” and “top of the line,” Herb said that the political science professor provided him with sound advice on his direction in life after Concord. “You can’t stop with

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an A.B. degree,” he remembers Dr. Moore telling him. Taking his mentor’s words to heart, Herb contemplated his future and decided to study law. “Law school seemed like a good direction in a field that you could do well,” he said. After completing their degrees at Concord, the Sangers continued their educational journey together when Herb went to law school at West Virginia University and Rita taught in the public school system. “She put me through school,” Herb said. With her transition from student to professional educator, Rita taught art and English in the communities of Kingwood and Masontown. “She commuted with several women who were wives of (WVU) students,” Herb said. While he was at WVU, Herb served on the Student Board of Editors of the West Virginia Law Review. He was also a member of Phi Delta Phi, the West Virginia Student Bar Association and served as the student law librarian. Excelling in his studies, he was ranked second academically in the law school’s 1961 graduating class. He received Lawyers Co-op Awards for Excellence in contracts, corporations, future interest and coal, oil and gas. Additionally, he earned the Lawyers Title Insurance Company Award for Excellence in property law. Herb would later return to Morgantown to teach. He served as the Arthur B. Hodges Professor of Law in the College of Law at WVU during 1977 and 1978. Along with private practice, Mr. Sanger devoted a major portion of his career working for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). During his 25 years with the TVA, he advanced through the agency’s legal staff and concluded his service there in an executive leadership position. He started his affiliation with the TVA in 1961 as a staff attorney. In 1969 he moved to an assistant general counsel position remaining there until 1972 when he became associate general counsel. He was appointed deputy general counsel in 1973 and worked in that role until 1975 at which time he advanced to the general counsel position with

the TVA in Knoxville. Mr. Sanger also served as chairman of the board of directors of the Tennessee Valley

After completing their degrees at Concord, the Sangers continued their educational journey together when Herb went to law school at West Virginia University and Rita taught in the public school system. "She put me through school."

- Herbert Sanger '58

Authority Retirement System from 1975 to 1986. Mr. Sanger remained as the TVA’s general counsel until 1986 when he became a partner in Wagner, Myers & Sanger. Mr. Sanger’s professional career has also included serving on the board of directors of Regal Cinemas, Inc., Paribas Concorde Trust, Limited and the American Corporate Counsel Association. As an attorney, Mr. Sanger has represented clients in state courts, in federal courts on all levels and before administrative agencies. He has appeared before Congressional committees on both appropriations and substantive legislative matters and represented clients in their relations with cabinet members, various agency heads, governors and other state officials. He has presented papers on legal topics at a number of professional conferences sponsored by organizations such as the Federal Bar Association, the International Nuclear Law Association and the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. Mr. Sanger has been admitted as an attorney in the Supreme Court of the United States; the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Tenth and Eleventh circuits; and the United States District Court for the Eastern

District of Tennessee. He is a Lifetime Delegate to the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference. He is a member of the West Virginia State Bar Association, the Tennessee State Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Corporate Counsel Association (formerly), and the International Nuclear Law Association (formerly). Herb and Rita Sanger are known for their charitable work and philanthropic endeavors. Many organizations, individuals and causes have benefitted from the Sangers’ generosity and volunteer efforts and this dedication to giving continues to thrive. In the Knoxville area, their support of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra has enhanced the cultural environment of the community for decades. Herb served as President of the Knoxville Symphony Society during 19971998 and is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Knoxville Symphony Foundation. The Sangers have created generous scholarships that benefit graduates of their high school and students attending Concord University and other state institutions. Herb and Rita have supported the work of the Concord University Foundation through the years and Mr. Sanger is a Lifetime Member of the Concord University Alumni Association. Herb and Rita are involved in their church in various activities including the teaching ministry. Herb is a volunteer with YMCA and city youth programs. He is also a former member of the board of directors of the East Tennessee Foundation. Herb and Rita have been married for 60 years. They have four children – Charles, Warren, Carole, and George. According to Herb, they also have “a lot of grandchildren.” The Sangers currently make their home in Knoxville. █

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David Wayne Bolen '64 Dedicates Career to Scientific Research and Education “My professional life has been a fantastic ride,” Dr. David Wayne Bolen said. This summarization is most appropriate for someone whose distinguished career as an educator and researcher earned him designation as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow. According to the AAAS website, “AAAS Fellows are chosen for extraordinary achievements across disciplines.”

r. Bolen received the prestigious honor in 2001 and considers it one of the highlights of his career. Another highlight, he says, is receiving the 2011 Christian B. Anfinsen Award, a national award from the Protein Society. Originally from Raleigh County, West Virginia, Wayne majored in chemistry and minored in mathematics at Concord. He was honored for academic achievement with the 1963 James Lewis Howe Award in chemistry and was recognized by Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. He was active in campus life as a member and

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leader in several organizations including Blue Key, President 1963-64; New Hall Dorm Council, President 1962-63; Delta Delta Delta Tau; Tau Kappa Epsilon; and Mu Alpha Theta. Looking back on his Concord days, Wayne reflects on being a college student in the early 1960s. “I had a lot of fun during my four years at Concord,” he said. “The Beatles took the music scene by storm and dominated it for a long while – rock and roll was in its power stroke. I also got to see Eleanor Roosevelt when she visited our campus, one of the highlights of my memories.” “The national scene had a great effect on me and most others during my time at Concord,” he said. “John F. Kennedy was elected President »

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Wayne Bolen '64 and his wife, Cassandra.

during my first semester (1960), and his assassination occurred in November of my senior year. I learned of the assassination, with no detail, just before taking an Organic Qualitative Analysis exam – not a good time for a test. “The (roughly) thousand days of JFK’s tenure in office was inspiring and fateful. Inspiring, because of important movements in civil rights and the goals he set for young people, the Peace Corps, science, and of putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade. Fateful, because events leading to the beginnings of a Vietnam War occurred during this

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time, creating foment that would last the decade and beyond,” Wayne said. Along with its historical significance, the time was also pivotal for Wayne personally. “On a personal level my four years at Concord set the course for the rest of my life,” he said. “The key was that I met my future wife, Cassandra, at homecoming of my senior year, and we were married after graduation. Everything else stems from this event.” “The outstanding education I received from Mrs. Lucile Bird and Mr. Andrew Montgomery in chemistry at Concord prepared me very well for graduate school and a career in research and teaching,” he added. Wayne graduated from Concord in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, and earned a Ph.D. in Biophysical Chemistry from Florida State University in 1969. He completed two years of postdoctoral studies as a National Institutes of Health Research Fellow at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Minnesota. After taking a position in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Southern Illinois University as an assistant professor, he rose through the ranks to become a full professor. He also served as Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry in the School of Medicine at SIU, Carbondale, IL for three years. In the early 1990s Wayne moved to the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston Texas where he assumed dual appointment as Professor of Molecular Biophysics in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and The Sealy Center for Structural Biology. He remained with UTMB until his retirement – which proved to be short-lived. “I retired in 2010 as Professor Emeritus, but was immediately asked to return as ad interim Director of the Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics at UTMB,” he said. “I retired again in January of 2012.” Dr. Bolen’s research centers on the effects of naturally occurring osmolytes on protein structure and function. He offers the following as an explanation.

“As you may know, globular proteins, e.g. albumin, are made of a specific sequence of amino acids in a long chain, and all albumin molecules have exactly the same sequence of

The outstanding education I received from Mrs. Lucile Bird and Mr. Andrew Montgomery in chemistry at Concord prepared me very well for graduate school and a career in research and teaching.

- Dr. Wayne Bolen '64

amino acids,” he said. “The long chain of amino acids doesn’t remain as a long flexible chain, rather it folds into a unique three dimensional structure such that each albumin molecule looks exactly the same in three dimensions as all other albumin molecules. “The question of interest is, what causes the long flexible chain of amino acids to self assemble into a unique three dimensional structure?” he continued. “Protein folding is an important problem, because when proteins do not fold properly, they give rise to misfolding diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, sickle cell disease, and many more,” he said. “The focus of my research is on the basic science of protein folding, namely the forces of interactions between atoms, that lead to a unique 3-D structure,” he explained. “I also use certain small molecules called osmolytes that are known to affect protein folding in order to understand how protein folding is modulated in certain organisms. The techniques I use to understand the phenomenon of protein folding are thermodynamics and kinetics.” He considers his role in establishing a scientific conference and its subsequent research society an especially important part of his professional legacy.

“The event in which I’m personally invested is being one of five founders of the Gibbs Conference on Biothermodynamics,” he explained. “This Conference is in its 33rd year and The Gibbs Society of Biological Thermodynamics sprung from it to advance the field of biothermodynamics. The Gibbs Society and Conference are self-sustaining and it is gratifying to be a part of an event that has a life of its own.” He served as president of the Gibbs Society in 2004. His honors also include the NIH Competitive Fellowship Award, 1969-71; Distinguished Faculty Research Award, UTMB, 2000; Educator Award, HBC&G Graduate Program, UTMB, 2000, 2005; Chair, Gordon Conference – Cellular Osmoregulation: Sensors, Transducers & Regulators, 2005; and Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, presented by the graduate students of the Graduate School of Basic Sciences, 2006. Wayne holds membership in the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Calorimetry Conference, American Chemical Society, The Gibbs Society, Sigma Xi, Biophysical Society, and The Protein Society. In retirement the Bolens split their time between homes in Lewisburg, WV and Phoenix, AZ. Wayne is a member and supporter of several environmental conservations. As for his pastimes, he says, “I backpack, fish, and I am a wood turner.” █

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CPA Joseph Altizer'86 Finds Career Success in a Range of Environments Since receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Concord in 1986, Joseph Altizer has successfully utilized his accounting education in a variety of professional settings. His career has taken him from an accounting firm to the world of art to his current position with a small family owned business. Joey chose the accounting profession based on a very unusual and auspicious reason; he liked writing numbers in the little green boxes on ledger paper. “The numbers and analytical part just came naturally to me,” he said. dditionally, the accounting profession allows for work with all aspects and departments of a business. “I enjoy interacting with and learning from the variety of people you are exposed to in the day-to-day business environment,” he said. “The personal relationship part to me is the most rewarding part of my profession.” Joey is originally from the town of Richlands, located in Tazewell County, Virginia. He attended Richlands High School where as a four-sport athlete he played football and baseball and participated in track and wrestling. He graduated in 1981. In pursuit of a college education, Joey headed

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to Athens when he was recruited to play baseball for Concord. He majored in accounting and was active in campus activities outside of the classroom as a student athlete and as a student leader. Joey started his stint with the Mountain Lions as a pitcher. Then, when an injury intervened, he said he “retired from the mound” and moved to the outfield. During his senior year of college, Joey served as president of the Student Government Association. He was also a member of the Crazy Eights at Concord. Reflecting on his time at Concord, Joey has positive memories and is thankful for the opportunities Concord provided. “The small campus was a good fit for me,” he said. “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.” He also values the guidance of two fellow »

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The Altizer family from left to right: Rosie, Hannah, Joey, Kaelie, Biskit and Tracy.

Concordians who made a difference in his time at Concord and beyond. Mountain Lion coach and professor Ira Blankenship helped land him at Concord and they remained friends, Joey said. Accounting professor Lawrence McGraw, he said, was a “positive influence” with his leadership and direction regarding his career path. Early in his career, Joey spent a decade or so in the public accounting sector. He worked for Brown Edwards & Company, initially in the firm’s Bluefield, WV office before transferring to the Roanoke, VA location. “Mining, manufacturing, and non-profits were my primary focus,” he said. Among the services he provided to his clients were conducting audits and working with employee benefit plans. Since 1995, he has served in senior management positions in manufacturing and non-profit industries. One portion of his professional career saw him assume a leadership role in changing the landscape

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of the arts in the Roanoke region. When the Art Museum of Western Virginia was evolving into the Taubman Museum of Art, Mr. Altizer came on board to assist with the transformation. He initially served as the chief financial officer then moved into the chief operating officer role. “I was the chief operating officer during construction and helped expand their accounting capabilities,” he explained. The project took what Mr. Altizer describes as a “small non-profit that primarily served Roanoke” and transformed it into “a stand-alone art museum that serves not only Roanoke, but also the entire Roanoke region.” The impressive $66 million facility is located in downtown Roanoke. Joey began working for Rockydale Quarries in 2008. He is currently the CFO for the family owned business. Headquartered in Roanoke, VA, Rockdale was established in 1932 and operates from sites across Virginia. The company provides residential, construction and agricultural products including

topsoil, lime and aggregates. “I enjoy tremendously what I do,” Joey said explaining that several factors contribute to his satisfaction on the job. The small campus was a good fit for me. I

thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

- Joseph Altizer '86

The company’s staff is an important part of what makes his work with the company enjoyable, he said. He describes his co-workers as “hard working, down-to-earth.” Joey also appreciates Rockydale’s “closely held, small business nature” and his “diverse” responsibilities including working with the operations side of the company. When asked what he considers highlights of his professional life, Joey says that being a first-generation college student and passing the Certified Public Accountant exam in 1990 are important milestones for him. Career aside, he says that his family “hands down, that’s the highlight” of life for him. His wife, Tracy, is a graduate of the University of Georgia. She is the chief development officer with Rescue Mission of Roanoke. Their family includes daughters Hannah, 20, and Kaelie, 23. Also a University of Georgia graduate, Kaelie is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. Hannah is a student at Liberty University. Soon to be empty nesters, Joey and Tracy admit that now their “primary center of attention at home” belongs to their two dogs, Rosie and Biskit. Along with his strong devotion to family and career, Joey also has a special dedication to community service. His work with youth and young adults is especially significant. “I am passionate about assisting young

people,” he said. “My ministry is to help them live their lives.” His desire to help middle and high school age youth live positive and productive lives is translated into his work with organizations such as the Young Life council in Roanoke and the Skelton 4-H Conference Center. He serves on the board of directors for both of these groups. When he lived in Blacksburg, VA, Joey was a board member for the New River Valley Emmaus Community and a long-time participant in the organization’s work. Joey’s focus on helping students extends to his church as well. He has taught high schoolers in Sunday school and served on various youth councils. His church work also includes being chairperson of the Finance Committee. For his dedicated service he has been honored with the United Methodist Church Distinguished Service Award. Joey’s professional affiliations include being a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Virginia Society of CPAs and the West Virginia Society of CPAs. Although he may have left the ballpark as a Mountain Lion, baseball remains a big part of Joey’s life when it comes to his pastimes. “I’m an avid baseball fan,” he said. He also combines his love of the game and his work with youth. “I have a big interest in youth sports,” he said. “I coached in recreational sports for a few years.” This includes several seasons coaching youth soccer, baseball and softball. He also coached varsity and junior varsity baseball for one season at Richlands High School. “I still play recreational ball,” he added. “I’m ‘retired’ from men’s adult baseball but still active in the local softball league.” Joey currently resides in Roanoke. █

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Lori Davis '89 Takes the Road to Success in Automotove Industry As a recipient of General Motors prestigious Dealer of the Year award, Lori Davis ranks among the best in her profession. This award is reserved for the top 2 percent of GM dealers and is a symbol of exceptional performance in delivering superior customer service while consistently growing sales. Ms. Davis received the honor in 2011. major force in the region’s automotive industry, she is Dealer Principal of Beckley Buick GMC Auto Mall, and King Coal Chevrolet. Additionally, she is Vice-President of Hometown Automotive Group, including Hometown Subaru, Hometown Kia, Hyundai of Beckley and Hometown RVs. “The dealerships employ over 250 employees and operate in or around the Beckley, WV area,” she said. Ms. Davis is also a member and co-manager of various real estate holding and real estate developing companies. A native West Virginian with a special affection for her home state, Lori currently lives in Grandview, WV with her husband, Ernie Davis.

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“The majority of my family lives in close proximity, including my parents, my two sisters, a nephew and my two adult children, Colton and his son, Maverick, and Megan and her husband, Franklin,” she said. “You could say my roots run deep in southern West Virginia. I have never had the desire to leave West Virginia and although I enjoy traveling frequently, there is not a better feeling than crossing the state line and seeing those beautiful mountains that I call home.” Lori studied accounting at Concord and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1989. She graduated magna cum laude. “I was not a ‘typical’ college student, due to the fact that I took the majority of my courses as an off-campus student, attending primarily night classes. For the most part, I attended classes at the Beckley campus because of the convenience,” Lori explained. »

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Lori Davis at her GMC dealership located in Beckley, West Virginia.

“I feel that working in the accounting/business administration field, while attending class, strengthened my knowledge of the material that I was learning,” she said. “I was able to apply the concepts that I was learning in class to almost every aspect of my job.” “While pursuing my degree, I formed lasting relationships other students who have been successful in their own careers. In fact, we still keep in touch today,” she said. Lori passed the Certified Public Accountant exam in 1990 and furthered her education by earning a Master of Business Administration degree in 2011 from the University of Phoenix. She is grateful for the professional opportunities she has been afforded and how her education has contributed to her success. “I have been blessed with many opportunities in my career. I have been fortunate enough to work with my husband and business partner, Ernie Davis, since graduating and together we have owned and

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operated various businesses in the past including Little Valley Auto & RV Sales, Colt Logging Company, Sun Harbor Marina, North American Land Co., Lori A Davis, CPA, A.C., West Virginia News Network, and Glen’s Towing. Our primary focus now is in the automotive industry and land development,” she said. “I feel that my education in accounting has given me a background to understand the complexity of each business entity.” Simply put, the desire to “do a good job” motivates Lori in her work. This extends to customers, employees and the company that produces her product. “I take pride in providing our customers with exceptional customer service and I am motivated to keep the customer’s satisfaction in the center of everything that we do,” she said. “I want to provide a workplace for our employees that they are proud to work for and I want to be successful in the eyes of the manufacturer which means selling our required number of vehicles, while maintaining

high customer satisfaction and providing a return for the company.” Challenge is also a motivator for Lori on the job. “I enjoy the challenge of my work. Technology has evolved our workplace into a culture of rapid change. I enjoy the challenge of learning new ways technology can help our organization adapt to the changing culture in automobile buying,” she said. Lori’s community and civic involvement has extended to a number of causes throughout the years. “I have always been active where I have attended church, volunteering for various church outreach programs,” she said. She has also been a member of Quota International of Beckley and served on the Board of Directors of Citizens Southern Bank. “For the past seven years, we have partnered with Subaru of America through the Subaru Share the Love Promise and we are grateful to support causes and passions closest to our hearts, including The Humane Society of Raleigh County, United Way of Southern WV, Raleigh County Commission on Aging, Toys

I feel that working in the accounting/ business admistration field, while attending class, strengthened my knowledge of the material that I was learning. I was able to to apply the concepts that I was learning in class to almost every aspect of my job. - Lori Davis '89

for Tots, Women’s Resource Center, Hospice of Southern WV, Brian’s Safe House, Safehaven Campaign and others.” Through the Safehaven Campaign, she is part of a movement battling the state’s drug epidemic. Based in Beckley, WV, the volunteer organization is working to “effectively reduce the amount of infants and children negatively

affected by drug abuse in West Virginia through a three part strategy of rehabilitation, support, and prevention/awareness.” “Right now I am deeply concerned about our community,” Lori explains. “I see the impact that the drug epidemic has had on southern West Virginia. As a business owner, I see gaps in the workforce, as a human I see how many families are hurting and in particular, how the most innocent victims – babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome – are continuing to increase, not decrease.” “I cannot solve this problem by myself, but I certainly can do something,” she said. In a career filled with many achievements, Lori considers being elected to serve on the Women’s Retail Network Advisory Council for the southeast region a special highlight. “The Council is made up of female GM dealers and the tasks are to change the face of automotive by increasing the number of women as dealers, managers and employees within GM dealerships,” she said. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the General Motors Women’s Retail Network and serves as president of the Southern WV Buick GMC Local Marketing Association. Lori values the time she spends with her family both at work and away from the office. “I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my grandson Maverick, who is three, and my parents Howard and Kay Bowyer. We are blessed to be expecting another grandson in April. My daughter Megan is expecting,” she said. “I also appreciate and enjoy the fact that I get to work with my family,” she said. “Megan owns an Allstate office housed in the dealerships and Colton has worked numerous roles in the dealerships from finance to General Manager.” Lori’s pastimes include boating and cake decorating. █

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Real Estate Broker Erin Alls '02 Specializes in California’s Luxury Lifestyle Erin Alls is in the business of selling a lifestyle. As the founder and owner of Silicon Beach Homes, she specializes in luxury residential properties whose addresses include Malibu, Venice, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and Marina del Rey. With listings starting at $1 million and climbing into the multi-millions, Erin connects potential buyers with properties offering quintessential southern California coastal living. sing appealing descriptions like oceanfront, on the beach and water views, she pitches the homes to affluent clients whose fast-paced, high stress careers in the Los Angeles area make them prime candidates for the oasis-like properties. “It’s a specific lifestyle that a lot of people are craving,” Erin said. “They want to come home to a sanctuary.” She says her clients, many of whom are celebrities, are “high net worth individuals, tech savvy, educated buyers.” Erin earned a special feather in her cap in 2016

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during the sale of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s house to rapper/actor Ice Cube. The action star’s home sold for $7.25 million. “It’s the most expensive listing sold to date in Marina del Rey,” Erin said as the buyer’s representative. While Erin deals in luxury homes on a routine basis, these fantastic properties can still have the wow factor for her. “It’s incredible to see this caliber of real estate, so cool to see that kind of property,” she said. Erin has been working in this upscale real estate market for the past eight years, helping clients buy and sell homes in a location that not only offers a luxury lifestyle, but also has a landscape that is tech rich with startups and established companies. For someone like Erin »

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who describes herself as “very tech inclined” and a “social media guru” it’s a good fit. Silicon Beach Homes is based in Marina del Rey, CA, and Erin lives in the popular seaside community enjoying the lifestyle she sells. She moved to the Los Angeles area with experience in another of the country’s top tier real estate markets, New York City, where she worked for Maison International. When she relocated to the West Coast, she established an office for Maison International, serving as vice president. Approximately 18 months ago, she bought out the company. Working coast to coast, Erin continues to assist clients with New York properties. This may involve locating short-term corporate housing or assisting bicoastal clients such as actors and other entertainers from Los Angeles find a New York residence while they are in the city for work. In both locations she often works with international buyers. Originally from Warrenton, VA, Erin’s real estate roots go back even further than the 16 years she has worked as a professional in the industry. Growing up, she was surrounded by the business. Her mother, Cheryl Alls, is a real estate broker, and her father, Malcolm Alls, is a real estate developer. She picked up the tools of the trade spending time in the summer, after school and on weekends working with her parents. Visiting her dad’s worksites, Erin said she got involved in the projects hands-on doing tasks such as hanging drywall.

I believe my degree has helped me by allowing me to pick out key items of peoples' wants and needs by listening very closely. - Erin Alls '02

With such a family background, it was almost a given that Erin would follow in her parents’ footsteps and go into real estate. Erin was

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adamant, however, that she had other plans. She enrolled at Concord where she studied communications. While she was a student at Concord, Erin participated in theatre and communications activities including a radio show and a television show. Her work garnered honors as she received the Best Live TV Show designation two years in a row. She was also a member of The Lady Eights. Although she isn’t currently working in the communications field, Erin explains that her experiences as a Concord student and her degree are proving beneficial in her career. “I believe my degree has helped me by allowing me to pick out key items of peoples’ wants and needs by listening very closely,” she said. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Concord in 2002, Erin followed her dreams to New York City where she earned a one-year filmmaking degree from New York Film Academy. She loved the big city life and planned to pursue a career there in filmmaking. Erin said that in post-9/11 New York, however, not many films were being made, and she realized that to be able to afford to remain in the city, she would have to consider other options to support herself. That’s when she turned – or returned – to something familiar – real estate. Her parents were overjoyed. She remembers her dad saying, “I told you so! I told you so!” “My mom was just beside herself,” she added. Erin is considered a pioneer in the Silicon Beach real estate market. Immediately grabbing up “Silicon Beach” URLs when the area was dubbed this, she secured a prominent position for internet searches on property there. Another factor that sets her apart, she says, is how she interacts with clients. Describing herself as “very approachable” she says, “I genuinely care for people.” “I love to talk to people about their dogs, their kids, the weather,” she said. “I’m out to build the relationship with the client.” She hears compliments like “you’re so refreshing, so real.” She credits this to her “working class, Virginia, country girl” upbringing.

Erin and her husband, Fábio, hiking on Catalina Island

Erin is a licensed real estate broker in the states of New York and California. She is a member of the Beverly Hills Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors and Burbank Association of Realtors. Among her professional awards and honors are being named an Expert NetworkDistinguished Realtor and a Realtor Pinnacle Professional Member. She is also a real estate top producer and a certified e-marketing specialist. Erin’s community involvement includes volunteering with the Venice Beach Boys and Girls Club. Her success story has captured the attention of the media. Her accomplishments, along with her personalized approach to the real estate industry and working with clients, have been

the topic of several magazine articles. She has been featured in Top Agent Magazine, Unique Homes Magazine and Featured Agent Magazine. Erin’s husband, Fábio Borges, is from Brazil and is a successful television journalist. His work as an international correspondent takes him from Hollywood’s red carpet to locations around the world. Erin says she and Fábio “love to travel” and she enjoys going with him on assignment. Mentioning Japan and Europe among their destinations, Erin says they also “spend a month in Brazil each year.” According to Erin, she and Fábio are “very active people” who like to hike, workout and be “around the water.” “We enjoy spending time outdoors, especially with this wonderful climate in L.A.,” she said. █

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noteworthy

Christy Laxton '04 Makes Her Mark as Economic Development Dynamo Christy Laxton had already dedicated several years of service to the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority (EDA) when she became the agency’s Executive Director at just 23 years of age. Putting heart and hard work into this leadership role for the past 13 years, she has advanced the cause of her organization and garnered an impressive list of awards and honors along the way. mong her responsibilities with the EDA are managing fiscal and administrative processes related to receipt and expenditure of funds; promotion of Wyoming County in West Virginia; grant writing; marketing the county to outside business interests; representing the county in regional and state initiatives; and providing leadership in identifying and alleviating barriers to continued growth of the county. Christy is a lifelong resident of Wyoming County, West Virginia, and she values the opportunity to work in the place that she calls home. “It is amazing to be able to live and work in my home

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county,” she said. “To be able to give back to the community that gave to me when I was growing up is a dream come true.” While Christy said her parents “worked and worked hard” to provide for her and her siblings, the family didn’t have a lot materially and financially. When times were especially lean, Christy recalls neighbors stepping in to help her family. “It always seemed that just at the right time a neighbor, a family member, a community member, or a church would show up with just what our family needed,” she said. “I now strive to give back to my community and the people that helped me and my family when I was a child.” »

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Christy Laxton meets with Senator Robert Byrd in 2006 during a trip to Washington, D.C.

Even in her early teens, Christy exhibited the strong work ethic that is apparent in her professional life today. “I knew early that I wanted a better life for myself and for my future family and children,” she said. “That isn’t just given to you, you have to work hard for it.” “I started working when I was 14 and have held a tax paying job since that time, not just in the summer, but year around,” she said. After graduating with high honors from Wyoming County East High School in 2000, she became a first generation college student at Concord. She majored in accounting and finance and was a member of the softball team. Christy found Concord to be special for several important reasons. “Concord is close to home,” she said. “It is a campus that is beautiful in a small town that has wonderful people. It is easy to make friends and you make new friends for a lifetime,” she said. “Concord provides you with a great education that has a great reputation.”

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During her sophomore year of college, Christy started working for the EDA in Pineville as the grant and loan program coordinator. She graduated from Concord in May 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, cum laude. She was also named an All-American Scholar by the United States Achievement Academy. Following graduation, Christy advanced to the Assistant Executive Director position at the EDA and in December 2005, she became the Executive Director. Along with a basic desire to help others, Christy says the community spirit of Wyoming County residents and their bonds as neighbors motivates her in her work with the EDA. “I love helping people,” she said. “I love to see my community grow and I love to see my community come together. In a rural county like Wyoming County, everyone comes together in the good times and the bad. That motivates me to bring new businesses to our county, to expand existing businesses, to provide scholarships to our local

community colleges and technical schools, to promote our local state park, and to provide a strategic plan to emphasize the growth of our communities and our economy.” She has a vision for the county that she works diligently for on a daily basis. “My vision would be for Wyoming County to be hustling and bustling with additional small businesses, thriving existing businesses, and for the Coalfields Expressway to bring new businesses to the county,” she said. “I would like to see our county population grow, more housing to be available, and for more activities to be available in the county.” “It takes time for all of this to happen, but we all have to work together to make it happen,” she said. Christy has represented the EDA at various out-of-town conferences and meetings through the years. She has especially fond memories of a trip to the nation’s capital. “I was privileged to go to Washington D.C. with the Coalfields Expressway Authority to meet with Senator Byrd and Congressman Rahall on a one-day trip (my only flight ever, on a prop plane from Beckley) in 2006. We went

Concord is close to home. It is a campus that is beautiful in a small town that has wonderful people. It is easy to make friends and you make new friends for a lifetime. Concord provides you with a great education that has a great reputation.

- Christy Laxton '04

to talk to them about the road to Wyoming County. It was such an honor,” she said. “On the flight back, we got to fly with someone that had been in Iraq for a year. He got off in Bluefield and his family was there waiting for him with signs and balloons,” she said. “It was an all-around amazing day for me.

One that I will never, ever forget!” Christy currently serves with nearly 20 organizations, boards and committees including Region One Planning and Development Council; the WV Economic Development Council, Vice President; Wyoming County Planning Commission, President; Visit Southern WV, Board Member; and the WV Small Business Development Center, Advisory Board Member and Vice President. She holds certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional through the National Development Council. Christy is also a graduate of Leadership Wyoming County, Leadership Southern and Leadership WV, and is a lifetime member of the National Association of Professional Women. In 2016 the Concord University Alumni Association honored Christy with the Young Alumnus Award. This accolade is one of more than a dozen prestigious honors she has earned during her professional career and they keep coming. Among these are: Women’s Business Center Entrepreneurship Award, 2007; WV Brownfield Award in Economic Development, 2015; WV Executive Magazine YOUNG GUN, 2016; State Journal Generation Next: 40 Under 40, 2018; and, SBA WV Small Business Champion of the Year, 2018. Recently, the West Virginia Jaycees named her an Outstanding Young West Virginian for 2019. Christy is an active member of her church where she has served as a leader for Bible school and for a youth group. Dedicated to community service, she has been a little league T-ball coach/manager, a youth basketball assistant coach and a Junior Achievement volunteer teacher. She has also volunteered with the National Boy Scout Jamboree. Christy and her husband, Mike, have been married for 17 years. They have four children: Luke, 15; Andrea, 13; Sydney, 9; and Nathan, 6. █

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Concord University Office of Advancement PO Box 1000 Athens, WV 24712

Pick a Seat. Just for You. This is your chance to help make a difference at Concord, It Starts With You! Come take a seat with us and leave a lasting legacy at Concord University by naming a seat in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre. Supporting the A Seat for U campaign is a generous act of philanthropy that creates a lasting legacy for the donor in one of the most public spaces on campus. This special one-time gift will also take this project further by making renovations and upgrades in other areas of the Main Theatre.

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