The Columbus State University Alumni Association will begin its new membership year in August with new officers and six new directors on its volunteer board of directors.

Two-time alumnus Lionel Haynes Jr., CDFM ’06, ’07 of Columbus, Georgia, assumes the role of president after previously serving as the association’s vice president. A deputy comptroller with the U.S. Department of Defense, he holds two degrees from Columbus State—a bachelor’s of business administration focused on finance and an MBA. Haynes has served on the board for more than 15 years.

Other association officers will include Michelle McIntire ’94 of Dawsonville, Georgia, vice president; Candice Lawrence ’13 of Covington, Georgia, secretary; and Twilya Toombs ’05 of Cartersville, Georgia, immediate past chair.

NEW BOARD DIRECTORS

Mark Hill ’82 of Suwanee, Georgia, is retired from Piedmont Healthcare, where he worked in information technology for more than 39 years. He holds an associate degree in respiratory therapy and a bachelor’s in health science. As a student, he worked in the Simon Schwob Memorial Library and played intramural basketball. His wife, Sandra, is a 1982 alumna.

Andy Luker ’12 of Columbus, Georgia, returns for his second tenure of service on the board; he previously served two terms from 2015 to 2021. He is the creative director for Columbus-based Media, Marketing…and More! Before completing his bachelor’s of business administration, he was an active member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the Student Activities Council.

Chris Miller, CPA ’89 of Midland, Georgia, is a partner in the Audit Department of Columbus-based Robinson, Grimes, & Company, P.C. Certified Public Accountants. He earned a bachelor’s of business administration. His wife, Wendy, is a 1990 alumna.

Stephanie Parrish-Chester, CPA ’10, ’12 of Harrisburg, North Carolina, is a senior manager with EY’s Finance Transformation Consulting and Services team. Before earning a bachelor’s of business administration in accounting and an MBA, she played on the Women's Soccer team (2007-10). She served as an officer for Delta Sigma Theta, the NAACP CSU Chapter and the CSU Accounting Club, and was active in numerous other campus and academic organizations. She is a 2019 CSU Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, and her husband, Ryan Chester, is a 2010 and 2012 graduate and former Men’s Basketball player.

Gerald Saunders ’03 of Columbus, Georgia, is a licensed realtor with Columbus-based Bickerstaff Parham Real Estate. He earned a master’s in instructional technology.

Tracy Walton-King ’17, ’20, ’23 of Columbus, Georgia, is a business analyst with Elevance Health. She holds three degrees from Columbus State—an associate degree in criminal justice, a bachelor’s in criminal justice, and a master of public administration. As a student, she was active with the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society and Phi Sigma Pi Leadership Society, volunteered at Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center and for Tower Day, and received an Alumni Association Scholarship.