The Lions Roar ENews – May 2013 Issue
www.davidsonsae.com
(July 8, 2011): North Carolina Theta Chapter was awarded the 2011 Outstanding Alumni Association
Communication Award Newsletter - Print by the 155th SAE Convention in Memphis
SPOTLIGHT
Richard E Gaines ’82, is an orthopaedic surgeon with the McLeod Orthopaedic
Clinic in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Prior to McLeod, he was a surgeon at the
Halifax Orthopaedic Clinic. Rick attended Father Lopez High School, came to
Davidson, then attended the University of Florida College of Medicine, graduating
in 1986. He did his residency at Emory University Orthopaedic. Rick received the
University of Miami Sports Medicine Fellowship. With his wife Susan, they have 3
children, Ryan, Kyle, & Kristen. Reach Rick at email rkgbones@aol.com.
David Evans ’82 serves as Senior Vice President of MedAssets Net Revenue Systems in Atlanta. David
joined MedAssets in 1996 and has 25 years of healthcare consulting and decision support experience.
He has been the executive-in-charge of over 300 chargemaster projects including a large number of
corporate chargemaster standardization projects. Prior to joining MedAssets Net Revenue Systems, he
was an executive in various capacities with HBO and Company (now McKesson Provider
Technologies).David is a regular speaker on supply chain and revenue cycle management issues at
industry conferences such as HIMSS and HFMA. He has an Economics Degree with honors from Davidson
College in Davidson, NC. Reach out to David at email devans@medassets.com.
Anthony Cabrales ’86 is owner of Tony Fit 4 Life in Wellington, Florida. For almost a decade, Tony he has
been helping people get fit and change their lives. Born and raised in El Salvador, Tony arrived in the
United States during the 1980's as a stand-out soccer player. He played Division I college soccer in North
Carolina and won numerous awards as a soccer player and student athlete. Tony began his career as a
fitness trainer in 1999 when he started his own business with Total Fitness Studio, Inc. Since then, Tony
has helped hundreds of people achieve their weight and fitness goals. Tony currently competes in
Triathalons and is a top 20 finisher, ranked #1 in his age group for the South Florida Region. He is an
experienced Marathon and 1/2 Marathon runner, and a Level 5 Tennis player. "To help someone
change their life is a privilege and the most rewarding experience a person can have. Hard work and
determination is all you need to accomplish anything you desire." vWith over 25 years of experience in
athletics and sports related fields, Tony has the knowledge and experience to help you reach your goals.
Reach out to Tony at cabrales10@hotmail.com.
T. Gailor Garner, III, ’88, is a Major and Recruiting Operations Officer for the US Army ROTC at Liberty
College in Lynchburg (also Operations Officer, A Troop, 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th
Brigade Combat Team). He attended McCallie School before coming to Davidson. Contact Gailor at
thomas.g.garner@us.army.mil.
Page 1 of 10
John Stringfellow, Advisor, Email jstringman@aol.com - Web www.davidsonsae.com
We Welcome your News, Comments, Suggestions, Updates, etc.
The Lions Roar ENews – May 2013 Issue
www.davidsonsae.com
(July 8, 2011): North Carolina Theta Chapter was awarded the 2011 Outstanding Alumni Association
Communication Award Newsletter - Print by the 155th SAE Convention in Memphis
Thomas B Edmunds ’90, is a urologist in Columbia and operates Capital Urology on
Taylor Street. Born in Columbia, he attended Hammond Academy, played a lot of
sports, went to Davidson, then took a year off to play in a band. He also waited tables
and was a cook for that year. Later he chose to enter MUSC where he met his wife,
Meg. They moved to New York to start his practice for 6 years. He participated in a
very busy training program at State University of New York. They moved to Columbia
in 2000. He joined Columbia Urological PA for 5 years, then opened his own clinic in
2005. Tom sub-specialized in no-scalpel vasectomies in his office (having done nearly
1500 as of 2012), diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer (performs daVinci
robotic surgery on prostate cancer), kidneys stones, and treatment of prostate enlargement (BPH),
kidney masses, and testicular masses. Meg and he have 3 kids. Contact Tom at email
chezzie007@yahoo.com or phone (803) 251-6602.
Steve Norton, ’56, is CEO and Chairman of Norton Management, LLC, a company
that provides resort gaming and hospitality industry in the St Louis area. During his
career, he served in a variety of positions with companies like Colonial
Williamsburg, Holiday Inns International, Princess Hotels, Paradise Island Ltd.,
Resort’s International Inc, Las Vegas Sands, Goldriver Gaming and Argosy Gaming
Co. In addition to his daily duties, Steve has crafted a unique role in working with
State Legislators, the Governor’s Offices, the State Police and Attorney Generals’
staff, in debating, testifying, drafting and lobbying to conclusion; successful Casino
or Riverboat Casino Legislation in New Jersey, Indiana, Louisiana and Missouri. He
has acted as a Director of the Bahamas Hotel Training College, the Advisory Board
of the Atlantic Community College Casino Careers Institute; and has been a guest lecturer at the Cornell
University School of Hotel Administration. He was Eminent Treasurer and Housing Chairman while at
Davidson. Married to Ingrid Nelson, they have 6 children: Ronald, Mark, Kim, Caron, Rob, and Wendy.
Contact Steve at steve@nortonmanagement.com.
RICHARD RUFFNER ‘12
Richard Ruffner was appointed to Manager of Special Projects for the Presidential Inaugural Committee
in Washington, DC. He served as a press secretary for Obama for President in Wisconsin, and as a
Assistant to the Chief Communications Officer for the Charlotte based, Democratic National Convention
in Sept 2012. He graduated from Davidson with Cum Laude, Honors in Political Science in 2012. Richard
also served as an eminent deputy archon.
Page 2 of 10
John Stringfellow, Advisor, Email jstringman@aol.com - Web www.davidsonsae.com
We Welcome your News, Comments, Suggestions, Updates, etc.
The Lions Roar ENews – May 2013 Issue
www.davidsonsae.com
(July 8, 2011): North Carolina Theta Chapter was awarded the 2011 Outstanding Alumni Association
Communication Award Newsletter - Print by the 155th SAE Convention in Memphis
CHAPTER NEWS
Our spring 2013 pledge class members were initiated earlier this year. More information here:
Pledge
City
State
RUSH – JAN 13 – FEB 1, 2013
Rush has changed at Davidson. The PCC Recruitment Task Force has made recommendations that are
being implemented. The most important one is that rush will now be in the spring semester, starting the
first day of classes, as compared to fall rush in the past, and running for 3 weeks. As most of you know,
rush could last the entire fall semester, with bids being offered and accepted early in the spring
semester. The task force will allow the fraternities up to four events in the fall targeted at freshmen, and
all must be on campus and alcohol/drug free. That includes one each of a “meet and greet”, service,
scholarship and leadership events. In the spring, the fraternities may conduct 3 events for potential
members during the first 3 weeks.
Page 3 of 10
John Stringfellow, Advisor, Email jstringman@aol.com - Web www.davidsonsae.com
We Welcome your News, Comments, Suggestions, Updates, etc.
The Lions Roar ENews – May 2013 Issue
www.davidsonsae.com
(July 8, 2011): North Carolina Theta Chapter was awarded the 2011 Outstanding Alumni Association
Communication Award Newsletter - Print by the 155th SAE Convention in Memphis
CLASS OF 2013 GRADUATING SENIORS
Congratulations to the class of 2013, graduating seniors!
SPRING FROLICS 2013
Will Newman, Walker Davis Allen, Clark Davis and Will Bolton
perform during Davidson’s 2013 Spring Frolics.
Page 4 of 10
John Stringfellow, Advisor, Email jstringman@aol.com - Web www.davidsonsae.com
We Welcome your News, Comments, Suggestions, Updates, etc.
The Lions Roar ENews – May 2013 Issue
www.davidsonsae.com
(July 8, 2011): North Carolina Theta Chapter was awarded the 2011 Outstanding Alumni Association
Communication Award Newsletter - Print by the 155th SAE Convention in Memphis
BROTHERS ELECTED TO STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Congratulations are in order for the SAEs that won the Davidson College Student Government
Association Office of the President, Christopher Ragsdale and Office of the Vice President, Nicholas
McGuire
SAE GOLF TEAM MEMBER
Brother John Skeadas, '13, has been featured on the Davidson Golf Team and the Wildcats athletic site:





Named to the All Southern Conference team for the 2011-12 season
Finished the sophomore and junior campaigns with the second best scoring average on the
team
Earned a second place finish at the 2011-12 season opening Mason Rudolph Championship
Helen DeVane Carnegie Award winner in 2009 as most promising freshman athlete at Davidson
Member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity
NEW OFFICERS SWORN IN
Former EA Eli Kahn (far right) conducts the officer ceremony with, from left, Joe Morrison, ER, Andrew
Keesler, EDA, Sam Gray, EA, Jim Bramlett, ET, and Ian Daniel, Eminent Preceptor (Ritual).
Page 5 of 10
John Stringfellow, Advisor, Email jstringman@aol.com - Web www.davidsonsae.com
We Welcome your News, Comments, Suggestions, Updates, etc.
The Lions Roar ENews – May 2013 Issue
www.davidsonsae.com
(July 8, 2011): North Carolina Theta Chapter was awarded the 2011 Outstanding Alumni Association
Communication Award Newsletter - Print by the 155th SAE Convention in Memphis
Kevin Christopher-John Klein'06 has joined US Representative Mark Meadows (NC-11) as his new
Deputy Chief of Staff in Washington, DC. Kevin was a legislative director to US Rep Sue Myrick before
she retired in 2012, and prior he worked for US Rep. Cory Gardner and former US Rep Robin Hayes.
Graduating from Davidson in 2006, he majored in political science. He is also attending the George
Washington University School of law where he is a law student and will graduate in 2016. Kevin is from
Unionville, North Carolina and is married to Jessie. Congratulate Kevin at email kvklein@gmail.com.
David Kerman ’12, former Eminent Archon, is a financial advisor with Duncan-Williams,
Inc in Memphis, TN. He writes: “I am with the Private Client Group where I am
responsible for working closely with clients to develop and grow their customized
investment portfolios. I apply my unique background, experiences, and education to
maintaining a strong relationship with each client and providing sound financial
planning that focuses on diversified asset allocation strategies and protection from
downside risk. As a financial advisor, I deliver personalized attention, honesty, and a passion for helping
others meet their financial goals.” He currently holds his Series 7 and 66 licenses, and is also licensed as
an insurance producer for Life, Accident & Health and Variable Products. Contact David at email
dwkerman1@gmail.comor or work 901-435-4283.
ANNUAL DUES
Annual, voluntary dues for the NC Theta Alumni Association are welcome. You can complete the online
form here using a debit or credit card, or mail your donation made out to SAE to John Stringfellow, 7839
Ambleside Dr, Charlotte, NC 28216. $25 is the suggested amount.
OFFICERS ELECTED FOR 2013
New officers were elected for NC Theta Chapter at Davidson College. Visit our web site here for a
complete profile. They include:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Eminent Archon - Sam P Gray
Deputy Eminent Archon - Andrew Keesler
Treasurer - James Bramlett
Preceptor - Ian Daniel
Recorder - Joe Morrison
Pledge Educators - Tucker Whitesides & Will Hamilton
Academic Chm - James Helzberg
Kitchen Manager - Austin Elliott Gray
House Manager – William King
Page 6 of 10
John Stringfellow, Advisor, Email jstringman@aol.com - Web www.davidsonsae.com
We Welcome your News, Comments, Suggestions, Updates, etc.
The Lions Roar ENews – May 2013 Issue
www.davidsonsae.com
(July 8, 2011): North Carolina Theta Chapter was awarded the 2011 Outstanding Alumni Association
Communication Award Newsletter - Print by the 155th SAE Convention in Memphis
o
o
o
o
o
o
Sustainability Chairman – Joe Cullen
Service Chairmen - Ryan Emerick and Peter Bowman
Judicial Board (PCC) - Ali Kaussari
Standards Board - Max Gore and Sperry Edwards
Rush Chairmen - Andrew Kelleher, Willie MacDade, and Jack McDowell
Social Chm - Cyrus Saffari & John Marsh
Memories
Herb Kincey writes about this photo: “That was a few years ago. "Chuck" Wright is the quite famous
Charles Wright, poet. "Ted" Baker is THE Ted Baker well known around Davidson, especially at the gym!
Chuck, Ted, Snyder Garrison, and I were all freshmen. Snyder was my roommate and lives in Hickory
Page 7 of 10
John Stringfellow, Advisor, Email jstringman@aol.com - Web www.davidsonsae.com
We Welcome your News, Comments, Suggestions, Updates, etc.
The Lions Roar ENews – May 2013 Issue
www.davidsonsae.com
(July 8, 2011): North Carolina Theta Chapter was awarded the 2011 Outstanding Alumni Association
Communication Award Newsletter - Print by the 155th SAE Convention in Memphis
these days. Don't know what happened to Pete Petersen and Garry Gaffin. I believe they were seniors
when the photo was taken the fall of 1953.”
Chapter Eternal
Walker Taylor III '48 (NC Theta/Davidson) died September 18, 2012.
He was born in Wilmington, NC on December 14, 1924. Mr. Taylor was a graduate
of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and Davidson College. He was
awarded a Doctor of Canon Law from the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale
University. Mr. Taylor served as a Merchant Officer in the Battle of the Atlantic in
World War II and as a US Naval Officer in the Korean War where he received a
commendation for bravery during enemy action off of North Korea.
For over sixty years, Mr. Taylor was President of the Walker Taylor Agency, which
was founded by his grandfather in 1866, and after the Agency's merger with Arthur J. Gallagher &
Company, became Area Chairman. Mr. Taylor at age 84 became the oldest person in the United States
to earn the CPCU designation. One of Walker III's grandsons, a former student at Davidson, Walker J.
Taylor '12 (NC Theta/Davidson), was once a summer intern.
Brother Awards Presented
The chapter held its annual awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 7, at the house.. The brothers
recognized are:

Alex Hauer for GPA - Bryant Axinn Abbuhl Outstanding Academic Achievement Award

Adam Stanaland and Eddie Palumbo for Community Service - Connor Wilcox Farrell
Outstanding Service Award

John Skeadas for Sports - David Whitcomb Kerman Outstanding Athlete

Tucker Whitesides and Will Hamilton for Chapter Programs - William Richey Reigel Chapter
Dedication Award

Eli Kahn for True Gentleman - Richard Brian Ruffner II True Gentleman Award

Wilson Turner for Dr. Mary Vasquez Chapter Award
These brothers represent among some of the best brothers that SAE has to offer at Davidson.
Congratulations True Gentlemen!
Page 8 of 10
John Stringfellow, Advisor, Email jstringman@aol.com - Web www.davidsonsae.com
We Welcome your News, Comments, Suggestions, Updates, etc.
The Lions Roar ENews – May 2013 Issue
www.davidsonsae.com
(July 8, 2011): North Carolina Theta Chapter was awarded the 2011 Outstanding Alumni Association
Communication Award Newsletter - Print by the 155th SAE Convention in Memphis
Merchandise
Sam Gray (sagray@davidson.edu), Eminent Archon, has worked out a deal to get specialized
Davidson/SAE needlepoint belts from Smathers & Branson for a reduced price. Below is a picture of the
tan belt, but there is also a black one available for purchase with the same design.
SAE Needlepoint Belt – Gray
If you would like a belt for yourself, please cact Sam at sagray@davidson.edu. Make sure to indicate the
color you would like and your initials on it if you would like to have it monogrammed. How much: $80
per belt, $105 with the monogram.
Page 9 of 10
John Stringfellow, Advisor, Email jstringman@aol.com - Web www.davidsonsae.com
We Welcome your News, Comments, Suggestions, Updates, etc.
The Lions Roar ENews – May 2013 Issue
www.davidsonsae.com
(July 8, 2011): North Carolina Theta Chapter was awarded the 2011 Outstanding Alumni Association
Communication Award Newsletter - Print by the 155th SAE Convention in Memphis
Page 10 of 10
John Stringfellow, Advisor, Email jstringman@aol.com - Web www.davidsonsae.com
We Welcome your News, Comments, Suggestions, Updates, etc.