Board & Committees

Mike is a native of Brooklyn, NY. He attended Penn State's Smeal College of Business and graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science Management degree. While attending Penn State, he was a member of Theta Xi Fraternity. After graduation he held leadership positions with Theta Xi as an Alumni Advisor, Board Member, and Treasurer. Mike currently is the Vice President of Insurance Solutions for M Financial out of Dallas, TX. Mike, and his wife Sabra, moved to Myrtle Beach 3 years ago. They share 4 sons between them, Christian (Supply Chain Management '23), Nicholas (PSU class of 2027), Griffin (Sergeant in the U.S. Marines) and Grady (Supervisor at PopStroke).

Mike was recruited to be President of the Myrtle Beach Chapter by Tom Henderson (former PSUAAMB President) at the very first event he attended. Tom made a great call, as Mike, with the help of Sabra, have grown our Chapter exponentially over the past few years. Being part of the Board means Mike can give back to the University that profoundly shaped his life, and contribute to the Alumni Association's mission of fostering connections and creating opportunities for future generations of Penn Staters. His goals for the chapter are to drive change and member growth in the Myrtle Beach area, particularly to benefit our local children's charities.

Thad is from Wyoming, PA and graduated from Penn State's College of Health & Human Development in 2018. He and his fiancée, Stephanie, moved to Myrtle Beach 3 1/2 years ago. Thad is an Assisted Living Administrator at Select Rehabilitation.

Thad is excited for this opportunity as Vice President of the Board. His goals for the Chapter are to help further the mission of the university, craft and environment that is a home away from home, connect with other alumni, friends and fans of Penn State and to play a role in having a positive impact in the community.

Rick was raised in the Penn Hills suburb of Pittsburgh and attended the McKeesport and main campuses. He graduated in March of 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering.

Rick began his career in NJ in the aerospace industry. He remained for 5 years and obtained a MB Fairleigh Dickinson University, while working for the Singer Company. Rick then began a 15 year long career with the Clorox Company that had him located all over the country in NJ, CA, OH and MD. He worked his way up to Regional Distribution Manager for the Clorox Company. His last career had him for 13 years with Exel Logistics/DHL Supply Chain as General Manager of a large candy corporation in Hershey, PA.

Rick married his high school sweetheart, Karen, in 1983. In 1994, Rick and Karen were blessed with a little lioness named Christina. Christina is a 2016 PSU alum with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Rick and Karen purchased a home to retire to in Myrtle Beach, and moved down South full time in 2017.

Rick looks forward to partnering with the other dedicated board and committee members to support local charities, grow the organization, and spread the words... WE ARE...PENN STATE!

Steve Cottillion is a native of Bradford, PA. Steve is a 2005 graduate of Penn State-Behrend Campus with a degree in Accounting. Steve worked for a local community bank in his hometown after graduating for over 10 years before relocating to Myrtle Beach and transitioning to Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor. He has enjoyed serving on nonprofit boards such as United Way, Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, and Evergreen Elm, Inc., along with many other boards. Steve and his wife, Devin, moved to Myrtle Beach in 2016. Steve is a member of the Penn State Alumni Association. .

Barb hails from Levittown, PA but moved to Myrtle Beach 10 years ago to be closer to her children and grandchildren and escape the winter and snow. She graduated from Penn State in 1978 with a degree in Education of Exceptional Children. Upon graduation, Barb taught Special Education and reading in Chambersburg, PA and advanced to become a Principal at the Elementary School for 30 years. She is now retired, but continues to work part-time for her son with New York Life.

Barb enjoys being involved with the PSUAAMB chapter for the friendships, comradely and game days. As a board member she hopes to make a difference by growing the PSU Alumni Association in Myrtle Beach, allowing us to have a bigger impact in our community.

Heather grew up in Mechanicsburg, PA. She is married to Don, an Army Officer, whom she followed around the world for 30 years before he retired. Heather did not attend Penn State, but her children, Hayle (Graphic Design '17) and Mitchell (Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship '22) did and she has been a lifelong fan. Heather and Don are new to Myrtle Beach, just moving here in December 2023.

Heather is thrilled to put her Communications degree from Temple to work in the position of Communications Director. She is excited to help the Chapter grow their social media presence and spread the word of this amazing Chapter all over Myrtle Beach.

Phil grew up in Eaton, PA and graduated from Penn State in 1990 with a degree in Accounting. Phil met his wife Beth at Penn State and they even danced in THON together. After graduating, He worked as a Controller for Thomas Built Buses for 21 years. He and Beth moved to Surfside Beach in August 2023 to start their retirement.

Phil and Beth are active members of PSUAMB. Phil enjoys the camaraderie and enthusiasm of the Chapter, and this led him to join the Social Committee where he was quickly nominated to be the chair. Phils hopes to use his position to help our Chapter foster meaningful connections and celebrate shared experiences.

Carol was raised in Penn Hills, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Carol started her Penn State studies at the McKeesport campus and then spent her final 2 years on Main campus. She graduated in 1983 with a bachelors in Administration of Justice degree. In 1997 she received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pittsburgh. Carol moved to Myrtle Beach to be closer to her brother Rick (also a PSU alum and former board President) and his wife Karen (now deceased).

Carol spent her career working to help others, starting in child welfare and then hospice care. The position of Community Services Chair is the perfect position for her to use her skills and the PSUAAMB Chapter is very lucky to have her.

Karen is from Levittown, PA. She graduated from Penn State in 1981 with a degree in Social Welfare. After graduation, Karen was the Director of Special Education Services in the West Windsor Painsboro Reg. School District in NJ. Karen moved to Myrtle Beach in 2021 to be closer to family (her sister is Barb DeSerio!).

Karen is proud of her alma mater and enjoys the Myrtle Beach Chapter for the energy of the group and getting to meet new people. She wants to help grow the chapter and make sure that everyone is outfitted in PSUAAMB merchandise!

• Review operational; programming and financial issues; monitor implementation of the strategic plan and goals; deal with urgent situations that cannot wait for the next full board meeting; and recommend replacement of Board Members and Officers.
• This committee is comprised of board officers only.

• Develop/recommend program policies and guidelines; recommend social initiatives; and report progress to the full board.
• Create AD HOC committees within the Social Committee for each major social event planned for the chapter.
• AD HOC Committees
  • Annual Robotics Competition – monitor a table at the competition to encourage high school students from 9 states and Canada to study Aerospace Engineering at Penn State University. South Carolina students would get an exemption from paying out of state tuition portion.
  • Annual Penn State Baseball Season Opener – starting in 2017 Penn State baseball will open their season at the Pelicans Stadium in Myrtle Beach; so we need chapter members to help organize game attendance, BBQ with team and other fun events to make the baseball team, coaches, assistants, parents and family feel at home in Myrtle Beach during their three day road trip and series.
  • Annual Chapter Dinner – select speakers and organize the ticket sales, advertising, public relations, dinner menu, arrangements with Charleston Chapter, decorations, etc. for the event.
  • Periodic Gatherings of Dinner and Entertainment Nights – make recommendations for various type dinner and entertainment gatherings; then organize and take charge of the events selected.
  • Annual Summer Picnic and Chapter Meeting for Board Elections – with our chapter growing at a steady rate, we may need to find another venue to hold up to 80 people; so we need to get volunteers to research several locations and present to board for approval; then organize the event.
  • Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball Games – contact the Pelicans office to arrange for our chapter to attend several baseball games during the season.
  • Annual Golf Outing – learn from the first golf outing and continue organizing the event to raise more money each year through innovative changes; so that we can better serve our charities and special events.
  • Penn State Football Viewing Tailgater Events – recommend changes to our football game viewing to improve the event based on input from our chapter members; then implement the changes at the event.
  • Sponsor dance to raise funds for THON – consider organizing a dance event during the year to raise money for THON; make recommendations, get approval and then ensure the event is successful.

• Research non-profit organizations in the Myrtle Beach area to expand our volunteer services; recommend and coordinate programs for chapter involvement; and implement services.
• Work with the Social Committee to organize fund raisers for Toys for Tots, THON, Jason’s House, and other children’s causes.
• Organize volunteers for charity work such as Jason’s House.

• Develop and maintain various communications used by the chapter, including (website, Facebook posts, newsletters, advertising and public relations, etc.). The communications committee shall work with the Penn State Office of Public Information, through the local media, to inform the public of notable Penn State achievements and accomplishments of its students, faculty, and alumni.
• Assist the standing committees (and ad hoc committees, as necessary) established to organize and conduct Chapter activities in securing publicity for those activities.
• Subcommittees will develop policies and procedures for their subcommittee to assist future members with the smooth operation of that subcommittee.
  • Website
  • Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
  • Newsletters
  • Advertising and Public Relations
  • Photographs
  • Calendar of Events for each fiscal year

• Annual Golf Outing – learn from the first golf outing and continue organizing the event to raise more money each year through innovative changes; so that we can better serve our charities and special events.
• Organize a committee
• Find sponsors and prizes for tournaments
• Pick a golf course
• Acquire the signage for sponsors
• Find volunteers for registration tables
• Arrange meals for the golfers
• All other items related to the tournament

• Keep a list of items on hand
• Order items for our Chapter Members and Friends
• Expand our store items
• Set the Pricing for our offered items