New faces & promotions

Troy University’s dynamic nature draws new faces into the Trojan Nation and creates opportunities for service for many who are long-time Trojans. This year certainly was no exception with several key leadership positions drawing new people.

Brig. Gen. Richard Boutwell

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Richard H. Boutwell (’91) was named the University’s Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement. His new role includes responsibility for governmental relations, development/alumni affairs, public affairs and strategic oversight of the University’s relationship with all branches of the military services. A native of Greenville, Alabama, Gen. Boutwell succeeds Maj. Gen. Walter Givhan (USAF, ret.) (’89) in the position. Retired TROY administrator

Dr. John Schmidt had served in the role on an interim basis. Gen. Boutwell retired in 2021 after nearly 30 years in the Air Force, most recently serving as Deputy Commanding General of the Fifteenth Air Force, where he led the largest Department of Defense’s numbered air forces, comprising more than 47,000 employees and $600 billion in the USAF’s most advanced weapons systems. His wife, Leslie (’90), and youngest daughter, Hailey (’22), are also TROY graduates.

Greg Knedler

Among the new faces to Troy University was Greg Knedler, who took on the Associate Vice Chancellor for Development’s role in February. With more than 20 years of experience in development and higher education advancement, he came to Troy University from the United States Air Force Academy Foundation. He previously held positions at Georgia State University and Auburn University.

Dr. Michael Thrasher

In April, Dr. Michael Thrasher was named Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, left vacant by the retirement of Dr. Larry Blocher. Dr. Thrasher joined the University from Florida State University, where he served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Director of Graduate Studies and Interim Dean of the College of Music. He has also held administrative and faculty positions at the University of Texas at Tyler, North Dakota State University, North Central Texas College and in public school music education.

Dr. Clifford Humphrey

Dr. Clifford Humphrey was named Director of the Institute for Leadership Development in May, assuming the position left vacant by Dr. John Kline’s retirement. A native of Warm Springs, Georgia, Dr. Humphrey most recently helped launch Thales College in North Carolina, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Catholic University of America.

Veda Taylor

On Aug. 1, Trojans welcomed a new Registrar to the fold with the addition of Veda Taylor in the role left vacant by 32-year veteran Registrar Vickie Miles. Taylor has 20 years of experience in several areas of higher education administration, including admissions, financial aid and graduate school administration. She joined the TROY Family from the University of Mississippi, where she served as Registrar for the UM School of Law. She has previously served as Registrar at Southwest Tennessee Community College and was Coordinator of External Activities and Global Admissions at the University of Memphis, where she was also Assistant Registrar for Student Records.

The year also saw several familiar Trojans step into new leadership roles at TROY.

Dr. Robbyn Taylor

Dr. Robbyn Taylor (’01, ’13) was appointed Director of the Hall School of Journalism and Communication following the retirement of Dr. Jeff Spurlock. Dr. Taylor earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in journalism and strategic communication from TROY before completing a Ph.D. at Regent University. Before joining the Hall School faculty, she was a photojournalist at WSFA in Montgomery; a reporter at WNCF in Montgomery; a reporter, mobile journalist, columnist and editor for Freedom Communications in Northwest Florida; an international spokesperson and media coordinator for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in Washington, D.C.; and managing editor of The Messenger, Troy, Alabama’s, local newspaper.

Aaron Taylor

Joining Dr. Taylor in moving into a new role was her husband, Aaron Taylor (’00, ’13), who was named television manager in September, following the retirement of longtime manager Kyle Bozeman (’82), who held the job for a quarter century. Aaron Taylor, once a student of Bozeman’s while attending Auburn University, graduated from TROY in 2000 and worked at CBS affiliate WAKA in Montgomery, Alabama, before returning to the University in 2002 as television production coordinator. He holds the Master of Strategic Communications from TROY.

Alicia Bookout

Veteran TROY administrator Alicia Bookout was named Associate Vice Chancellor for Financial Aid in the summer. She moved into the role from her position as Senior Director for Enrollment Services, Out-ofState Operations and Military & Veterans Affairs. Bookout previously held positions in advancement and athletics and has overseen recruitment and enrollment efforts of 11 recruiting and teaching support centers through the Southeast and Pacific regions. She participated in the Chancellor’s Fellows program in 2016.

William Filmore

The end of the year saw the return of a Trojan alumnus to campus when William Filmore (’11, ’18) was named Director of Governmental Relations. Filmore has both an undergraduate business degree and a MBA from the Sorrell College of Business and was President of TROY’s Student Government Association. He joins the University’s staff from his director of legislative affairs position for Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. He previously served on the governor’s staff as local government liaison. Prior to joining the governor’s office, he was governmental relations coordinator for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, after having worked several years as the associate director of advancement for Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity. Filmore has served as executive director of the Alabama Lions High School Leadership Forum for a decade and is active in youth programs at Montgomery’s First Baptist Church and Alabama Boys State. His wife, Liz (’11, ’13), is Gov. Ivey’s Chief of Staff.