Short Bios for Board Nominations
Matthew Ayers (BS ’98), Louisville, KY
System Vice President for Norton Physician Services
Matt is the System Vice President for Norton Physician services which staffs over 1600
employees. He is actively involved in many professional organizations and community
endeavors including Leadership Louisville and the Salvation Army Board to just name a couple.
He is a Lifetime member of the Alumni Association and currently serves on the HCA Advisory
Committee on campus. While a student, he was a Spirit Master and a member of Delta Tau
Delta. He resides in Louisville with his wife Jenny and son Bryson.
Lori Baerg (AB ’91), Lees Summit, MO
CEO of Prizm Productions LLC
Lori is CEO of her own business which specializes in building websites, organizing
marketing campaigns, and producing videos and flash e-mails for various clients. She was a
Corporate and Organizational Communications major and has used that experience to build her
business in the Kansas City, MO area. She has a lot of experience in graphic identity and
marketing which could be a valuable asset to the Board.
Bryan Baysinger (BS ’93), Glasgow, KY
Certified Financial Consultant at Hilliard Lyons
Bryan is very active in the WKU family. He currently serves as the President of the
Glasgow/Barren Co. Alumni Chapter, on the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation Board, W-Club
Board, and on the Hilltopper Halls of History Committee. He was named Alumnus of the Year
in 2004. He is a 15 year Cupola Society member, Alumni Association member, W-Club
Lifetime member and a member of the Society of 1906. While on the Hill, Bryan was a member
of the Hilltopper Golf team. He currently resides in Glasgow.
Betty Berger (BA ’71), Louisville, KY
Sales at Olde Master Originals
Betty has been an active participant in WKU sponsored events in the Greater Louisville
area for several years. She and her husband are regulars at the Lee Robertson/Gary Sundmacker
golf scramble, and generously donate items to the silent auction at this event as well as other golf
scrambles (i.e.- golf putters, cigar boxes, etc.). She has attended Alumni College and actively
recruits more of her friends to attend WKU events. She is a Lifetime member of the WKU
Alumni Association. She has recently become more involved in chapter events in the Louisville
area, and also helps with events in the Naples, FL area (game watching parties) as she has a
home down there as well.
David Billingsley (BS ’78, MAE ’83, Rank I ‘87), Versailles, KY
Retired Executive Director of Office of Career & Technical Education
David is a retired Executive Director for the Office of Career and Technical Education in
Frankfort. He currently works part time for a tax accountant and is the Baseball coach at East
Jessamine High School. While on the Hill, he was a member of the Men’s Basketball team and
Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He and his wife, Amy, reside in Versailles. They have two
children, Kresta Wilson and Kent Billingsley.
Matt Coleman (BS ’01, MPH ’03), Franklin, TN
Wellness Coordinator at Hospital Corporation of America
Matt is very active with WKU and the Nashville area. He currently serves as the
President of the Music City Alumni Chapter, and has previously served as secretary. Matt was
named Young Alum of the year in 2010. While on the Hill, he was an athletic trainer and ran
cross country and track. He was also an active participant in the student group of the Kentucky
Public Health Association. He is a Lifetime member of the Alumni Association and a member
of the W-Club. He resides in Franklin, TN with his wife Melissa and daughter Hannah.
Carla Cunningham (BS ’80), Mount Pleasant, SC
Carla is a retired educator and currently resides outside of Charleson. She attended
activities at the recent Charleston Classic and expressed an interest in becoming more involved
with her alma mater. She is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association and a current donor to
the Augenstein Alumni Center.
Steve Fogle (BA ’76), San Antonio, TX
Attorney at Jackson Walker, LLP
Steve Fogle is a prominent lawyer in downtown San Antonio. His commitment to WKU
continues through his involvement with the ROTC program here and the dedication he shows by
attending ROTC events on campus and in his area. During his time at WKU, Steve participated
in ROTC, Scabbard and Blade, Pershing Rifles and Omicron Delta Kappa. He received his Juris
Doctorate at Baylor University. He is a Lifetime member of the Alumni Association.
Rick Johnstone (BS ’72), Fairdale, KY
Deputy Mayor of Louisville Metro Government
Rick currently serves as the Deputy Mayor of Louisville. He is a Lifetime
Member of the Alumni Association. While on the Hill, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega
Fraternity. He has been an active member of recolonizing the ATO chapter on campus, planning
reunions, and an active force on their housing campaign. He resides in Louisville with his wife
Linda and is former Board Member, Martin Johnstone’s brother.
Debra Wade Jordan (BA ’82, MAE ’88), Bowling Green, KY
Executive Director of the BGWC Community Education Board
Debi has served on numerous boards including: Warren County Gangs, International
English Institution, KY Museum Advisory Council, and Kentucky Community Education
Association. She is a Leadership Bowling Green Graduate (2007), WKU Alumni member and
20+ year Cupola society member. During her days on the Hill, Debi was a member of the AOPi
sorority and College Heights Herald.
Bonnie Lawson (College High ’55, BS ’59, MS ’68, BS ’81), Bowling Green, KY
Retired CPA, General Motors
Bonnie has been very active in all things College High! She graduated from College
High in 1955, and has been there to help plan the reunions and the Grand Gatherings. She was a
part of the “underground” Chi-O sorority before sororities were legal on campus. Bonnie
participated in the Golden Anniversary Club reunion for her class and is an active volunteer in
the Bowling Green community. Bonnie is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association.
Rob Little (BS ’85), Nashville, TN
Regional Vice President of Sales for Gentiva
Rob has been in the Healthcare Industry for 20+ years and currently is VP of sales
for Gentiva in Nashville. He is a member of the Alumni Association. While on the Hill, he was
a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He and his wife, Dierdre reside in the Nasvhille with
their children, Emily and Meghan.
Debra Maggart (BA ’82), Hendersonville, TN
State Representative for the Tennessee General Assembly
Debra (Young) Maggart received her Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising in 1982. While
on campus, Debra was active with Phi Mu and University Center Board. Debra has stayed very
active with Phi Mu on a national and local level since her days on the Hill. Debra has also been
active with some events in the Nashville area and was the driving force behind state legislation
needed to make a WKU license plate possible in Tennessee. She is a Lifetime member of the
Alumni Association. Deborah is a State Representative in the Tennessee General Assembly and
resides in Hendersonville, TN.
Crystal Martin (BS ’94), Evansville, IN
Assoc. National Bank Examiner at OCC
Crystal Martin is a 1994 graduate of WKU with a major in Finance. She currently serves
as the National Bank Examiner for OCC in Evansville, IN. Crystal was involved in the Alpha
Omicron Pi sorority during her time at WKU. Currently she is serving as the president of the
Evansville Alumni Chapter. During her time as president she has helped to revive the chapter.
She is a Lifetime member of the Alumni Association. She resides in Evansville, IN with her
husband Kirk and two children, Logan and Shane.
John McClearn (BS ’59, MAE ‘64); Madisonville, KY
Retired Superintendent of Hopkins County Schools
John is a retired superintendent of Hopkins County Schools. Most recently, John
participated in the Golden Anniversary Club event in 2009. During his time on the Hill, he
played basketball for none other than Coach Diddle. John is an Alumni Association member,
member of the W-Club and a 10 year Cupola Society member. He lives in Madisonville with his
wife, Jean.
Mary McMillin (BS ’63), Georgetown, KY
Owner of McMillin Farms
Mary is a graduate of College High and was an education major at WKU. Her husband,
Robert, was also a WKU graduate and recently passed away. Their children have also gone to
WKU. They are 15+ year members of the Cupola Society and members of the Alumni
Association.
Steve Moore (BA ‘80), Bowling Green, KY
CPA Steven A. Moore, CPA
Steve is a loyal Hilltopper fan and respected CPA in the Bowling Green
community. Steve has served on the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation Board and attends most
athletic events with his family. He is part of the WKU Cupola Society for giving 25 consecutive
years and enjoys supporting his alma mater. Steve has also been on other non-profit boards in
the community and lends his accounting expertise as a portion of his service.
Laura Emberton Owens (BA ’80, MA ’87), Frankfort, KY
Writer/Speaker
Laura received both her undergraduate and masters degrees from WKU. She has spent
25 years in education, workforce training and government and was appointed Kentucky's
Education Secretary in 2006. She joined the Education Cabinet in 2004 as commissioner of the
Department of Workforce Investment and was later appointed deputy secretary of
education. She has also been a classroom teacher in Warren and Barren counties, served on the
Education Commission of the States and the Southern Regional Education Board. Laura
published a book in 2009 about lessons she has learned from her children. She is a lifetime
member of the Alumni Association and strong advocate for WKU.
Tony Pelaski (BS ’81), Bowling Green, KY
Senior Vice President of Fruit of the Loom
Tony is the Senior Vice President of Fruit of the Loom. He is extremely active with the
Book Fest sponsored through the University Libraries. He is a member of the Alumni
Association. He and his wife, Jayne reside in Bowling Green.
Robert Schoeck (BS ’78), Vonore, TN
Owner of BSA Life Structures
Robert is a Senior Partner for the Architecture firm, BSA Life Structures. His most
recent ties to the hill came when he worked on designing the new Student Health Services
Building. His wife, Lynette, is also a WKU graduate. His son is a student at WKU.
Jan Sterett (BA ’71, MAE ’79), Longboat Key, FL
Jan spends a portion of the year in Owensboro and a portion of the year in Longboat
Key. She sold her primary interest in Sterett Crane Company and is retired. She has had a long
connection with WKU and continues to be a strong advocate. Jan attends alumni events we have
in Owensboro and Florida and is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association.
Julie Allen Taleghani (BA ’93), Franklin, TN
Former owner of SPIRIT, LLC
Julie is the author of the Big Red children's storybook "Go Team" and "Big Red's Spirited
Adventure" and the co-owner of SPIRIT, LLC, the former company who produced the books and
other Big Red items. Julie has donated SPIRIT, LLC merchandise to the Alumni Association,
financially supports the university, and has remained a devoted alumna since her days as a Spirit
Master at WKU in the early 1990s. She and her husband, Chris, have even opened their home
for various WKU events in the Nashville area. She is a member of the Alumni Association and
is a 10+ year member of the Cupola Society.
Rick Walters (’78), Elizabethtown, KY
Vice President of Shamrock International Corporation
Rick is very involved in the Hardin County Rotary and is a past Board Member of the
Kentucky Ready Mixed Concrete Association and Kentucky Concrete Paving Association.
While on the Hill, he played basketball under Bobby Rascoe and was a member of Sigma Chi
Fraternity. He is a member of the Alumni Association and W-Club and has financially supported
the Augenstein Alumni Center. He and his wife, Alesa reside in Elizabethtown.
Billy Joe Williams (BS ’80), Tompkinsville, KY
Owner of Bluegrass Dairy and Food LLC
Billy Joe and his wife are both WKU graduates and successful business owners in
Tompkinsville, Glasgow, and other areas of the state. Billy Joe was an agriculture major at
WKU and his Bluegrass Dairy has numerous national awards for his various types of
cheese. His business is also responsible for all the powdered cheese that goes into a variety of
products. Billy Joe owns the Tompkinsville Executive Inn and RiverBreeze Cabin on Lake
Cumberland where he hosts our 1950’s WKU Football Bunch each year. He is also a member of
the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation.
Tom Yunt (AB ’77), East Dubuque, IL
President/CEO of Woodward Communications
Tom is currently President & CEO of Woodward Communications, Inc. Tom graduated
from Western Kentucky University in 1977 with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications
(Advertising) and a minor in Art. Tom began his newspaper career while at Western selling
advertising for the College Heights Herald. Tom received the 2001 College Heights Herald
award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. Tom is a Lifetime member of the Alumni
Association.