CSM Foundation Chair Rane Franklin.LA PLATA, Md. (Jan. 14, 2016)—The College of Southern Maryland Foundation has selected Rané Franklin as chair and welcomes Leah Estevez, Brenda Lowe, Bernadette “Birdie” Shannon, Gary Simpson and Stacy Trimble as directors.
“Higher education is the key to keeping the region competitive in the current economy,” said Franklin who joined the foundation in 2012 and succeeds 1987 CSM alum Christine Rush as foundation chair. "I am excited to help lead the CSM Foundation as we work to provide scholarships to students who without them would not be able to attend college. It is worth everything if I can help someone achieve their goals through education at CSM. I look forward to working with members of our community to become champions for CSM students. " Franklin said.
Franklin is president of Everilis Communications providing marketing, public relations, publicity services and media training. She honed her skills working in local government, the entertainment field and with a national media company. She is immediate past president of the Southern Maryland Chapter of Jack & Jill of America (an African-American organization for mothers to benefit their children), president of the Calvert County Arts Council, chair of the Arts Facet of the Southern Maryland Chain Chapter of the Links, Inc., and she serves on CSM’s Advisory Board for Calvert County.
Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Franklin has lived in Maryland since 1999. She has a master’s degree in music and a master’s in public administration from Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus. Her husband, Eric Franklin, president and CEO of Erimax, Inc., was the 2011 recipient of the CEO Leading Edge Award.
Also serving on the Foundation are Rush as the immediate past chair, First Vice Chair Steve Proctor, Second Vice Chair Nancy Hempstead, Trustee Representative Ted Harwood, 1974 alum Greg Cockerham, 1969 alum Linda Cox, 2005 alum Leah Estevez, 2000 alum Ruth Ann Ferrell, David Hruda, Capt. Glen Ives (U.S. Navy Retired), Al Leandre, 1975 alum Jay Lilly, Micheline Lopez-Estrada, Brenda Lowe, Jean McDougall, Vickie Milburn, Rob Price Jr., Thomas Quattlebaum, Kimberly Rosenfield, Shannon, Simpson, Trimble and Jennifer Wamsley, CPA.
“These are people who are dedicated and really care about the future of CSM and the region. We are honored they have chosen to serve on our board and are willing to devote their time and talents to help the college ensure that everyone has access to higher education," said CSM Vice President of Advancement Michelle Goodwin, who serves as the foundation’s executive director.
Estevez of Waldorf is Vice President, Treasury Management Officer with PNC Bank assisting business banking customers in Southern Maryland and Annapolis in managing their cash flow. She has worked in banking since 1999.
“I was born and raised in Charles County, attended Charles County schools and naturally migrated to the College of Southern Maryland where my father earned an Associate of Arts degree in 1975 and my mother earned her degree in nursing in 1980. I want to give back to the community that has given me the education and opportunities I have used to build a career,” said Estevez.
Estevez earned an associate’s degree from CSM in general studies and Foundations of Banking diploma from Maryland Banking School. She served as a board member with United Way of Charles County and Friends of Hospice of Charles County.
Lowe of Hughesville is a business development officer with Old Line Bank, Waldorf. She has more than 19 years of banking experience including identifying and cultivating new bank clients, public relations and marketing, and executive support. Previously, she held positions with Maryland Bank & Trust Co. and DecisionOne, formerly Bell Atlantic Business Systems Services.
With regard to her role with the CSM Foundation, Lowe sees the need to take an active role in helping to market fundraising events, identify and cultivate supporters of CSM and be an aggressive ambassador for the college.
“It is important to support the college through involvement on the board because, as an active ambassador, it helps raise awareness throughout the tri-county area of the importance of the community college experience in one’s education process and degree attainment. Some advantages are that it is less expensive than a four-year institution. It is a good way to get acclimated to the higher education experience and it typically cultivates relationships a student will treasure for a lifetime,” said Lowe.
Lowe received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations with honors from University of Maryland College Park.
She serves as immediate past president of Southern Maryland Women’s League, and as executive officer and treasurer of the Southern Maryland Women’s League Foundation, Inc. She is a member of the Business Alliance of Charles County, Maryland Bankers Association, Southern Maryland Realtors Association, Maryland Mortgage Bankers Association and the University of Maryland Alumni Association. She served on the board of the Charles County Chamber of Commerce from 2006-08.
Shannon of Leonardtown retired as the senior human resources/senior budget advisor for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2014. She managed a wide range of human resources functions for the diverse, multicultural organization that employs more than 3,000 international staff located in more than 80 offices worldwide. Her areas of expertise included corporate HR compensation and benefit strategy, workforce planning, dispute resolution and crisis management and disaster recovery.
Shannon spent the majority of her career with the IMF advancing from senior human resources officer to deputy division chief to division chief. She also worked as the manager of compensation for the American Petroleum Institute and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
With regard to her role with the CSM Foundation, Shannon sees the need to ensure excellent continuing education at reasonable costs.
“My undergraduate and graduate education was greatly assisted by the tuition reimbursement plans provided by the organizations for whom I worked. Many students today do not have these plans available to them and I believe that it is really important that communities provide quality education for an affordable price for all students--young and old. It just makes good economic sense for the entire community ,” she said.
Shannon received a bachelor’s degree with honors and a master’s degree in management, finance and information technology from Marymount University.
She earned the IMF’s Excellence in Leadership Award in 2010; the first individual award given to a staff member in the organization’s history for her work and response to the H1N1 flu crisis and the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. She earned the Gold Quill Award of Merit in 2009 for excellence in international communications from the International Association of Business Communicators.
Shannon is a member of the St. Mary’s Human Relations Commission.
Simpson of Port Tobacco has been an agent with Olde Towne Insurance Agency since 2001. Previously Simpson worked as a sales manager with his family’s beer distribution business. He is former owner of Westlake Liquors and White Plains Wine and Spirits.
“As my parents taught me and I hope to pass on to my children, it is important to give back to the community where you live and work,” said Simpson of his work with the foundation.
Simpson is a graduate of St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Leonardtown, an alum of CSM and attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
He is a member of Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree, State Roads Commission and the Professional Insurance Association. He is past chair of Civista Medical Center Foundation (UMCRMC), and past member of Leonardtown Planning and Zoning, past president McDonough High School Athletic Boosters, past board member of Charles County Chamber of Commerce, past president Charles County Licensed Beverage Association, past member and vice chair of Charles County Democratic Central Committee and past member of Waldorf Lions Club.
Trimble of Prince Frederick is a partner in Pickett & Oliverio Attorneys at Law working in the areas of homeowners’ association law, condominium law, debt collection, and estates, trusts and probate. Previously, Trimble worked as a staff assistant for Congressman Steny Hoyer and for the U.S. Congress Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
“ I believe CSM offers an affordable option for residents of our community who seek to improve and enrich their lives through education. Our community as a whole will realize the benefits of well-trained and educated professionals and, therefore, we all must do our best to help our neighbors achieve their educational dreams,” said Trimble. “As a new member of the CSM Foundation, I look forward to assisting all of the directors in their endeavors and, as I become more familiar with the foundation, I hope that my professional skills and enthusiasm for the good work of CSM allows me to assist in fundraising.”
Trimble received a bachelor’s degree in history, German from the University of Maryland. She earned a J.D. from University of Baltimore School of Law. She is a member of the U.S. District Court, the Maryland Bar Association, and a member of bar associations in Calvert, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
The CSM Foundation promotes academic excellence, growth, progress and the general welfare of the college by raising and managing funds, and by providing support to strengthen and develop the college and its objectives.
For information on the CSM Foundation call 301-934-7649 or 301-870-2309, 240-725-5499 or 443-550-6199, Ext. 7649 or visit www.csmd.edu/foundation.
For information on contributing to the CSM Foundation scholarship fund, visit http://www.csmd.edu/foundation/.