NCTF Board of Directors

B.S., Textile Technology — 1975
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Our 2014 Distinguished Alumna of the Year, Nancy Webster, has over 40 years of experience in textile manufacturing, sourcing, product development, design and retail experience within the home furnishings industry. In addition to being ranked the third-most-powerful person in home fashion and design behind Philippe Starck and Martha Stewart by HFN in 2004, Nancy was named the Textile Leader of the Year twice — in 1993 and 2006 — by Wilson College fraternities. Currently the owner and CEO of Nancy Webster, LLC,  she has also served as president and CEO of Thomasville Furniture; vice president of hardlines product development and design at Target; vice president of creative development at Springs Global; and senior vice president and corporate officer at Fieldcrest Cannon. Since graduating, Nancy’s passion for her alma mater has only grown. She served on the Wilson College’s Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management (TATM) Industry Advisory Board from 2008 to 2016 and as a TATM adjunct professor from 2011 to 2013. She earned a bachelor’s degree in textile technology from the Wilson College in 1975, an associate’s degree in fashion design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1974, and attended the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.

B.S., Textile Chemistry — 1989
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As a member of a multigenerational textiles family, Cres Calabrese’s passion and expertise in the industry can be seen in a variety of ways. Currently, she serves as the vice chairman and chief strategy officer of the Syntha Group, which is a family-owned and operated chemical manufacturer. Additionally, Cres has served as the vice president of the Syntha Group’s board of directors since 1989. In 2018, Cres and her family, led by her father and fellow textiles graduate Frederick Wilson Jr., committed a transformative $28 million to name the Wilson College of Textiles in perpetuity. This unrestricted gift made the college the second named college at the university. The support from Cres and her family will ensure NC State and North Carolina remain the home of the United States’ textiles industry for generations to come. As a member of the Wolfpack Club’s board of directors, Cres is a proud supporter of the NC State Student Aid Association. She is also a benefactor of several nonprofit organizations, including Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church, where she serves as an elder, and the Westchester Country Day School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in textile chemistry from the Wilson College of Textiles in 1989.

B.S., Textile Chemistry — 1994
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Ty Huggins is a business-focused leader with decades of experience. He serves as a vice president with Goldman Sachs’ private wealth management group, where he advises institutions, family groups and foundations and provides them with a wide range of financial services. He and his team have advised clients throughout the United States for more than 23 years. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Ty was responsible for business development and technical sales with Ciba Specialty Chemicals, a Swiss conglomerate that makes products for a variety of industries, including agriculture, construction and personal care. While at Ciba, he worked with large manufacturing clients as a member of Ciba’s carpet group, which introduced dyes that are resistant to repeated shampooing and high heat more than 20 years ago. Ty has demonstrated his personal commitment to philanthropy by serving on the investment committee for the NCTF Board of Directors. He has also built a legacy of generosity by establishing the Huggins Family Endowed Scholarship Fund at the Wilson College of Textiles. He earned his bachelor’s degree in textile chemistry in 1994 from the Wilson College of Textiles and earned an MBA from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management in 2000.

With several decades of experience in textiles leadership and management, Leib Oehmig was named president and CEO of Glen Raven, Inc., an innovative global textile company that is known as the maker of Sunbrella fabrics, in 2013. He first joined Glen Raven in 1989 and became a member of the team that designed and built the company’s one-million-square-foot Sunbrella manufacturing center in Anderson, South Carolina. As the company continues to grow throughout the world, Leib provides leadership to ensure a culture of integrity and innovation while maintaining the high standards of quality and service for which Glen Raven is known. In 2021, Glen Raven generously donated $250,000 to support the Wilson College’s first needs-based scholarship — the Textile Pioneer Scholarship program — and the Dean’s Textiles Innovation Fund, which allows the dean of the college to provide financial assistance to areas with the most critical need as quickly as possible. Leib’s community and industry service involvement has positively impacted the United Way, Anderson University, Tri-County Technical College, the National Council of Textile Organizations, the U.S. Industrial Fabrics Institute, and the Industrial Fabrics Association International. He earned both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Clemson University.

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Currently serving as dean of the Wilson College of Textiles and the Cone Mills Distinguished Professor of Textile Chemistry, Dr. David Hinks is proud to lead the nation’s only college devoted to textiles. He guides the college’s more than 145 full-time employees who mentor approximately 900 undergraduates and 250 graduate students, and upwards of 150 contracts with industry partners and 11 government agencies totaling greater than $10 million in funding. He is a member of the Academy of Outstanding Teachers and the Academy of Outstanding Faculty Engaged in Extension at NC State. He is a member of the North Carolina Economic Development Association and enjoys serving on the North Carolina Forensic Science Advisory Board. In addition to mentoring dozens of graduate students and post-doctoral students, visiting scholars and over 20 undergraduate students in research, Dean Hinks has published more than 150 peer-reviewed and conference papers in the area of color science, and forensic and environmental textile chemistry. Born and raised in England, Dean Hinks worked for Courtaulds Research from 1984 to 1986. He earned a bachelor’s degree in color chemistry in 1989 and his Ph.D. in fiber reactive dyes in 1993, both from the University of Leeds.

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With more than 23 years of experience in higher education advancement, Michael Ward leads the North Carolina Textile Foundation as the executive director. He oversees all aspects of development for the Wilson College of Textiles including major and principal gift development, annual giving, alumni engagement, communications and stewardship. Michael joined the NCTF in 2016 as the director of development and in 2018, he led the cultivation and solicitation strategy resulting in the $28 million dollar naming gift for the Wilson College of Textiles. His approach was profiled in the book, “Start with Heart: The Secret Power of Emotions to Catalyze Fundraising Results for Individuals, Teams, and Organizations.” Michael began his career in athletics fundraising at Northern Illinois University, then worked for East Carolina University and Clemson University in a variety of development roles. He is a board member of the YMCA of the Triangle and the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership, and he serves as a guest lecturer for the Wilson College’s first-year scholars seminar class. He earned his bachelor’s degree in recreation management from Appalachian State University in 1999, a non-profit management certification from Duke University in 2009, and his Certified Fundraising Executive credentials in 2014.

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Amy Bircher Bruyn is the CEO and founder of MMI Textiles, Inc., a global industrial and custom textile supplier she established in 1997. With over 40 years of experience in the U.S. textile industry, she has driven innovation, expanded U.S. manufacturing and strengthened domestic supply chains. She has successfully acquired three textile businesses, including her family’s company, NDW Textiles, formerly National Dye Works, Inc., with her latest acquisition of Jason Mills LLC closing in December 2024. A recognized leader in the industry, Bircher Bruyn holds both design and utility patents for CTEdge™, a revolutionary concealed-edge technology for webbing and tape used in military and law enforcement applications. To support this innovation, she opened a narrow weaving production facility in Lenoir, NC, in 2021, where she manufactures military-spec webbing and tape. She was appointed by former President Biden to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations under former U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai. She serves as vice chair on the National Council of Textile Organizations and is the immediate past chairman of the Advanced Textiles Association. Dedicated to the advancement of textile education, Bircher Bruyn provides scholarships for both the Wilson College of Textiles and her alma mater, West Virginia University. Her leadership has earned multiple accolades, including the Case Western Reserve Weatherhead 100 Award for four consecutive years and twice recognized as a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

B.S., Textile Technology — 1993
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Tammy Buckner has over two decades of textile design and manufacturing experience, which has served her well in various leadership roles. After graduating from the Wilson College of Textiles, she served as a designer at Mastercraft Fabrics. Following that role, she joined Culp, Inc. in 1999, where she became the company’s creative director. Headquartered in High Point, NC, Culp creates a wide range of stylish and quality fabrics for home furnishing retailers and manufacturers across the globe. In 2018, Buckner became Culp’s senior vice president of design and marketing. In 2020, she played a pivotal role in supporting the company’s efforts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing the production of bedding covers and fabrics for healthcare operations and consumer health. In 2021, Buckner was responsible for sourcing and color-matching the perfect shade of blue for the LiveSmart performance fabric seat covers used at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Dean E. Smith Center. Additionally, she serves as a board member for the International Textile Alliance, which promotes the growth and development of students studying textiles worldwide. Buckner earned a bachelor’s degree in textile technology from the Wilson College of Textiles in 1993.

B.S., Textile Management — 1985
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As a diversity and inclusion advocate with significant experience in information technology, Johnny Chapman is a natural leader. Today, he serves as the director of IT and business systems at Red Hat, a subsidiary of IBM that provides open-source software products to enterprises. He also currently serves as the executive sponsor for Red Hat’s Black DE&I Community. Prior to this role, he led the company as the senior manager of IT. In 2015, Johnny was named the recipient of Red Hat’s General H. Hugh Shelton Chairman’s Award. Before joining Red Hat, he served as a consultant at Oracle and a distribution supervisor at Johnson & Johnson, where he managed all shipping and receiving, order management and inventory control activities. He continues to support NC State by serving on the Chancellor’s African American Community Advisory Council since 2013 and as a member of the North Carolina Textile Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2021. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Incorporated. He earned a bachelor’s degree in textile management from the Wilson College of Textiles in 1985 and an MBA from Campbell University’s Lundy-Fetterman School of Business in 1995.

B.S. Fashion and Textile Management — 1992
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Rick Elmore built upon the legacy of his father, Robert “Bob” Elmore ’69, through his attendance, service and generosity to the Wilson College of Textiles. After working as a recruiter for the college for two years, Rick transitioned to product design, development and merchandising — first at Milliken Hospitality Carpets, then for Ithaca Industries, Inc. and later within the Sara Lee Corporation. Today, he is the senior vice president of global activewear at Hanesbrands, Inc., which employs 51,000 associates in 32 countries. Rick has served for 25 years in a variety of leadership roles with HanesBrands, including the vice president of global product development and manufacturing services. In 2014, Rick and his wife Linda Coy-Elmore ’91 established the Robert W. Elmore Textile Scholarship to commemorate his father’s memory. The scholarship provides critical financial support for students at the Wilson College of Textiles. Rick joined the NCTF Board of Directors in 2013, and he served as vice president for two years before leading as the board’s president from 2019 to 2021. He earned his bachelor’s degree in textile management in 1992 from the Wilson College of Textiles and an MBA from Wake Forest University in 2002.

B.S., Apparel and Textiles — 1962
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Chuck Flynt has been a leader in the textile industry for more than 50 years. From 1972 to 2002, he was the founder and CEO of Flynt Fabrics, Inc., a knitted fabric manufacturer focused on the children’s apparel sector based in Burlington, North Carolina. Chuck founded Flynt Amtex, Inc., a specialty knitting manufacturer, and today, he serves as a board member of the company. In 1997, he endowed the Charles H. Flynt Jr. Scholarship to support the next generation of textile leaders. This scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding full-time student enrolled in the Wilson College of Textiles. He was a founding benefactor of the Textile Pioneer Scholarship program, a needs-based scholarship for students from non-metropolitan areas of North Carolina. Chuck has served for many years on the North Carolina Textile Foundation board of directors. A native of Liberty, North Carolina, Chuck was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, the Tompkins Textile Council and student government when he was a student at the Wilson College of Textiles. He earned a bachelor’s degree in apparel and textiles in 1962 from the Wilson College and graduated from the Owner Management Program at the Harvard Business School in 1977.

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Denny Goff is the global director of development for engineered performance products businesses at Milliken & Company, within the company’s textile division. As a technical textile professional, Goff is inspired to develop innovative solutions for Milliken’s customers in six different markets, including advanced reinforcements, tire and manufactured rubber goods, industrials, cable management, bedding, and decor. He began his career as a process engineer at Milliken’s Magnolia Finishing Plant in 1993. During his thirteen years at the Magnolia Finishing Plant, he held various production and process leadership positions. He served as a plant manager for Milliken from 2006 to 2014. During his first two years there, he led the Cushman Texturing Plant in Williamston, South Carolina. For the next six years, he led Milliken’s air-lay nonwoven plants in Saint George, Utah, and Union, South Carolina. In 2014, he moved into Milliken Research, leading the Textile Rapid Prototype Center. He transitioned into his current role in engineered performance products in 2017. In 1992, Goff graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.

B.S. Textile and Apparel Management — 1998
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With a strong affinity for his alma mater, Matt Griffith has chosen to dedicate his time, talent and treasure to supporting the next generation of textile leaders at the Wilson College of Textiles. He is a donor of the Centennial Scholarship program, the Textile Pioneer Scholarship program, and Wolfpack Athletics. He has also participated in multiple scholarship interview weekend processes, hosted by the Wilson College of Textiles. Today, Matt serves as the owner and president of Piedmont Resins Supply, which is a leader in the engineering thermoplastics industry. His company is committed to excellent quality and competitive pricing on every product manufactured in its facilities. Headquartered in Cartersville, GA, the corporation has more than 210,000 square feet of operating and warehouse space, an annual capacity of over 85 million pounds, and provides custom compounding and toll services supplying a variety of resins. Matt and his wife, Cannon Griffith, are passionate benefactors of many charities and schools in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Their generosity earned them membership in NC State’s prestigious W. C. Riddick Lifetime Giving Society. He earned a bachelor’s degree in textile and apparel management from the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State in 1998.

B.S. Textile and Apparel Management — 1992
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Charles Heilig, III has shaped a successful career in textile manufacturing starting with Sara Lee Knit products and continuing today as president and CEO of Parkdale Mills, Inc. Charles has held leadership positions across Parkdale, including being responsible for a global manufacturing footprint, international sales, research and development focused on degradable textile solutions and a strategic distribution network. His commitment to his alma mater encouraged him to serve as a member of the NCTF Board of Directors for more than eight years, where he led as the board president and chair of the grants and audit committee. Currently, he is a member of NC State’s Board of Visitors, serves as vice chair of the National Council of Textile Organizations, a pivotal organization for the textile industry, and is a proud Eagle Scout. He previously served as a member of the Council at Lutheran Chapel Church, the Next Generation Board, and the Board of Trustees at Gaston Day School. Charles earned his bachelor’s degree in textile and apparel management in 1992 from the Wilson College of Textiles, and he participated in the University of California Los Angeles’ Business and Managerial Economics Executive Program in 2003.

B.S., Textile Apparel Management — 2004
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As a second-generation NC State graduate and a former member of the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council, Wesley Horne’s pride for the Wolfpack and the Wilson College of Textiles runs deep. For more than seven years, Wesley has served as the president of Hornwood, Inc., a service-oriented, solution-based vertical manufacturer of warp and circular knitted fabrics. Prior to this role, he served as the company’s vice president. Hornwood Inc.’s manufacturing processes include warping, knitting, dyeing, finishing, face finishing and inspection. The corporation is also proud to house a fully functional color development and physical testing lab. Wesley invests in the future of textiles by supporting the Kenneth W. Horne Sr. Scholarship and the Textile Pioneer Scholarship program, which are both within the Wilson College of Textiles. In addition to serving on the NCTF Board of Directors, Wesley is a member of the Wadesboro Rotary Club and the NC State Board of Visitors. Additionally, he is the membership chair for the Young Presidents’ Organization’s Southern Seven North Carolina chapter. He earned his bachelor’s degree in textile and apparel management in 2004 from the Wilson College of Textiles and an MBA from Wake Forest University in 2016.

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As a proven executive and experienced board director, Elaine Hughes is a trusted advisor to numerous public and private corporations in the consumer products sector. She has been the owner, president and CEO of E.A. Hughes and Company for more than 30 years. Elaine and her team have progressively aided companies in the identification and recruitment of talent. Her expertise includes a solid understanding of the fundamental requirements of every aspect of an organization from leadership, supply chain and digital to sales, manufacturing and finance. The companies she’s represented include Michael Kors, Dick’s Sporting Goods, JCP, Kenneth Cole, Fossil, Ann Taylor, Hanes and Tory Burch. Elaine has received multiple honors for her work, including the Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year Award from Girl Scouts of America. Elaine sits on the advisory boards for Springs Creative and the private equity firm Broadcrest Partners in Winter Park, Florida. She volunteers her time as a member of the board of directors for the Dolan School of Management at Fairfield University and serves on the Fashion Institute of Technology’s School of Continuing Education board of directors. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College and an MBA from Sacred Heart University.

B.S., Textile Engineering — 1990
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Sherry McCraw has 30 years of leadership experience in engineering, planning and manufacturing at BMW. She began her career with the company in 1993 with responsibilities for the facility’s import car processing operation. Over the next eight years, she played a key role in various aspects of assembly production, planning, engineering and technology steering. In 2001, she was selected for an international assignment in Munich, Germany, to supervise start-up planning for the second-generation BMW X5. In 2004, she returned to Spartanburg, South Carolina, as the planning manager of assembly and technology steering. In 2007, she managed the plant’s 1.2 million square foot expansion of its second assembly hall in preparation to produce the BMW X3. In 2011, she was selected to lead the company’s largest single investment of $900 Million to expand the plant for the fifth time. In 2013, McCraw was named the company’s chief financial officer and vice president of finance. In 2017, she was appointed to lead both production halls in her role as vice president of assembly. Today, she serves as vice president of human resources at BMW Manufacturing. In 1990, she earned a bachelor’s degree in textile engineering from the Wilson College.

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Mindy Oakley has worked in nonprofit management for more than two decades, focusing her efforts on improving the lives of children and other vulnerable populations. Today, she serves as the executive director of the Edward M. Armfield, Sr. Foundation, which is a private foundation based in Greensboro, NC, that makes education-focused grants in three North Carolina counties: Surry, Randolph and Guilford. Prior to this position, she was the chief operating officer and vice president of philanthropic services at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, where she directed internal operations and oversaw three significant endowment initiatives: Women to Women, the Public Art Endowment, and the Future Fund. Before moving to North Carolina in 2003, Oakley was a Boston-based consultant with the global consulting firm Foundation Strategy Group, where she worked directly with community, private and corporate foundations across the country to guide philanthropic strategy and increase grant-making impact. She began her career working with Catholic Charities HIV/AIDS programs in San Francisco, which focused specifically on affordable housing. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the College of the Holy Cross and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

M.S. Textile Chemistry — 1977
Ph.D. Fiber and Polymer Science — 1979

Dr. Prashant Prabhu has used his education from the Wilson College to distinguish himself within his field and beyond. In 2022, he received the Distinguished Global Alumni Award from NC State’s Office of Global Engagement. The award recognizes his positive impact on the globe. After completing his Ph.D., he embarked on a 35-year career with the Michelin Group, an international leader in sustainable mobility and tire manufacturing. His time with the company began at the Michelin America Research and Development Corporation, and by the age of 45, he had become president of that division. He later led the global business unit for Off-The-Road tires based in France and led emerging market geographies in Asia-Pacific from Singapore and Africa-India-Middle East from Dubai before setting up Michelin’s Global Incubator Program prior to retiring in 2014. Today, Prashant teaches an international business course for the MBA program at Clemson University and serves as a mentor to several startup firms within the Venture Mentoring Service. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, India, before earning his Master’s degree in textile chemistry and his Ph.D. in fiber and polymer science from the Wilson College of Textiles.

B.S. Textile and Apparel Management — 1999
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George Ragsdale has more than three decades of experience in banking, real estate and business leadership. This expertise has served him well in a variety of roles. After graduating from NC State, he became the vice president at BB&T, serving in many roles within his 10-year tenure. Following that role, George became principal at B.R. Foxx and Company in Jamestown, NC. His leadership for nearly two decades in the position expanded the company’s real estate portfolio throughout the Southeast. Today, he serves as the director of business development for Wells Fargo covering the Carolinas. In addition to that leadership role, George serves on the Guilford Technical Community College Trustees where he is the immediate past chair. Prior service includes the NC Outdoor Heritage Council, Family Service of the Piedmont (past chair), YMCA of Greater Greensboro, and Hospice of the Piedmont. He is a proud member of the R. Stanhope Pullen Society, which recognizes individuals who support NC State with deferred gifts. Through his generosity and foresight, George is playing a vital role in securing the future of the university. He earned his bachelor’s degree in textile and apparel management in 1999 from the Wilson College of Textiles.

B.S., Textile Chemistry — 2001
Ph.D., Fiber and Polymer Science — 2005
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Melissa Stewart is a global leader in strategy, innovation, sustainability and development, with over 20 years of experience in the textiles and apparel industry. Known for her ability to lead high-performing teams, she has delivered breakthrough product innovations, intellectual property strategies and business solutions that drive growth. At The LYCRA Company, Stewart held several influential roles, including technical director of innovation strategy; global technology director of research and development and materials innovation; vice president of global research and development and end-use research; and vice president of product management. Her expertise was also evident in leadership roles at the VF Corporation and Jockey International, Inc., where she led research and innovation strategies to transform product lines and enhance performance. At Jockey, Stewart was the inventor and developer of the Jockey bra and led the creation of its signature 3D contour design — a major advancement in fit and comfort. She also holds a U.S. patent, issued in 2012, for a system and method of constructing and sizing brassieres. Her impact on the textile industry is only matched by her dedication to advancing innovation. Stewart earned both her bachelor’s degree in textile chemistry and her Ph.D. in fiber and polymer science from the Wilson College of Textiles.

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With more than 25 years of leadership experience in the textile and apparel industry, Brendan Sullivan was the clear choice for the North Carolina Textile Foundation’s board president. He is a dynamic and results-driven leader, who retired as president of sportswear from the VF Corporation in 2020. Brendan first joined the VF Corporation in 2007 as vice president of retail services after he led retail marketing and operations for Express, Limited Brands and the Borders Group. For more than 13 years, he developed and executed strategies that advanced the VF Corporation’s retail services and global $3 billion direct-to-consumer business, which includes brands like Nautica, Dickies, 7 For All Mankind and Timberland. During his seven-year tenure on the NCTF Board of Directors, Brendan has held leadership roles as treasurer and chair of the finance committee. Additionally, he has served as a member of and the membership chair for the Wilson College’s Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management (TATM) Industry Advisory Board. He is a dedicated benefactor for a number of nonprofit organizations, including charity:water, the Salvation Army, the Wounded Warrier Project and the Greensboro Urban Ministry. Brendan holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Aquinas College.