Board & Committees

2021-2022 Board Members

Rick Stirone - President

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. Christina, their only child, works as an office manager for an orthopedic group in Pittsburgh and was married in Myrtle Beach in June of 2021. Christina and her husband Jack live in Pittsburgh. Rick and Karen have been here ever since, and he works part time to support his golf habit!

Rick's many career moves prevented him from becoming a season ticket holder and from attending a lot of PSU games. But with his time back in PA and his daughter's enrollment at the university, he was able to rekindle the flame. Discovering the local PSU Alumni Association was yet another bright spot to relive game day excitement!

Rick looks forward to continuing the awesome work of past presidents Tom, Jim and Phil and partnering with the other dedicated board and committee members to support local charities, grow the organization, and spread the words...

WE ARE... PENN STATE!

Tom Hendrickson – Past President

Tom is from Greencastle Pa. He became a Penn State supporter after meeting Joe Paterno at a football camp while in high school back in 1967. Tom has been a Penn State Nittany Lion Club member since 1992 and a Life Member of the Penn State Alumni Association since 2000. Season ticket holder from 2002 to 2014.

Tom worked for the Government as a contractor and Civil servant since 1977. First with NASA for 13 years at the Bermuda Tracking Station on the island of Bermuda, then came back to the states and worked in Washington DC with various Intelligence organizations. Retired as Lead Problem Manager in the IT Department for the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014. After retirement Tom and Gloria moved from Stafford VA to Conway SC.

Gloria and Tom met in High School in 1967, married in 1972 and have three sons (Ted, Jon, and Rod) all big fans of PSU. Ted was born in Hagerstown MD, with Jon and Rod being born in Paget Bermuda. Tom and family are into all sports and love going to the PSU game whenever possible now. Tom is also an avid golfer and wood worker.

Tom has held many Offices in various organization to include President of Waynesboro Tigers Semi Pro Football Team, President of the NASA Tracking Station Recreation Club, Vice President of Naval Air Station Youth Sports in Bermuda, and Defensive Lacrosse Coach at North Stafford High School in Stafford, VA for ten years.

Mark Johnson-- Treasurer
Mark Johnson was born in Philadelphia, PA. Mark was raised in Sellersville, PA. He attended Penn State from 1971 - 1975 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. Mark returned to the Pennridge School District and taught in 3 elementary schools in that county. He was very involved with the Pennridge Education Association, a branch of the Pennsylvania Education Association and the National Education Association. During that time he served two terms as president of the Pennridge E.A. and several terms as treasurer. Mark also earned a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education at Kutztown University. Mark and his family moved to Salisbury, NC, in 1994, and he taught for 3 years in Charlotte- Mecklenburg. He then spent a 2 year period as a Principal Fellow, earning a second Master of Science Degree in Curriculum and Supervision. Mark spent 6 years as an administrator in the Cabarrus County School District before returning to the classroom, teaching seventh grade math and coaching middle school football and seventh grade girls basketball. Mark and Debbie, high school sweethearts, have been married for 44 years. Debbie is presently a behavioral specialist for Child Care Resources, serving a five county area centered around Charlotte. Debbie works with teachers in daycare centers, assisting in changing behaviors and schedules. Mark and Debbie raised two children. Melanie is married and living in Altamont, NY, with her husband Todd and 3 energetic children. Matt is in the process of moving from Philadelphia to Chapel Hill with his fiancé Devon, where he will continue working for Trader Joe’s. Mark retired March 1, 2016, after serving 40 years in education. At present he is doing volunteer work with Neighbor to Neighbor, South Carolina United Turtle enthusiasts, and Surfside United Methodist Church. Mark is also attempting to improve his golf game, although that outcome does not look very favorable at this time.
Steve Griswold - Secretary

Steve Griswold was born and raised in Scranton, PA. He attended Penn State from 1970 to 1974 graduating with a degree in Psychology. He worked as a Parole Agent for the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole in Philadelphia for ten years. In 1985 he became a Special Agent with the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration and served in Philadelphia, PA; Quantico, VA; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD and at DEA Headquarters in Arlington, VA. He retired as Associate Chief Inspector of DEA’s Office of Professional Responsibility and Deciding Official in 2009.

Steve works part time as an international counter narcotics consultant for the U.S. Departments of State and Defense. Steve has been married to Liz Griswold for forty years. They have three children and three grandchildren. They purchased a home in Murrells Inlet, SC in 2014 and moved there permanently in 2015.

Steve has been a lifelong fan of and advocate for Penn State and what it represents. He is a member of the alumni association and has been a member of Penn Staters for Responsible Stewardship since its inception.

Jolene Johnson – Board Member At-Large

Jolene is a Penn State graduate with a BS in Business & Design. She attended Radnor High School in Wayne, Pennsylvania before completing four years at Penn State, UP.

Following graduation, Jolene finished two years of graduate studies at the Philadelphia College of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She met and married a University of Pennsylvania graduate and soon returned to the Main Line to live.

Jolene was employed by Bristol Myers Squibb as a Cardiovascular/Diabetes Specialist/Senior Territory Business Manager for twenty years. She retired in 2005.

Jolene planned and carried out hundreds of events throughout her twenty years with Bristol Myers Squibb. The golf events that were the most cherished were due to the actual club. Merion Golf Club, St. David's Golf Club, Overbrook Golf Club, and Gulph Mills Golf Club were just a few of the locations for Golf outings. Up to 72 (18 foursomes) played and only caddies were allowed at Merion Golf Club. Jolene became a member of St.David's Golf Club which gave her privileges at Merion Golf Club and Overbrook Golf Club.

Jolene was also owner/CEO of a holiday floral design company, "Country Design," covering Pennsylvania and the Tri-State area. This was an eight-year commitment.

Her company continued for eight years, four years beyond her retirement from Bristol Myers Squibb. She also worked at a high-end gift/floral shop, "Valley Forge Flowers," in Wayne, Pennsylvania before moving to North Myrtle Beach in June 2015. She is presently employed at the North Myrtle Beach, PGA Tour Superstore on a part-time basis.

Steve Cottillion – Communications Director

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. .

Steve is excited to join the board, after being involved in many organizations in his hometown, where he was able to give back to his community and gain valuable knowledge in many areas of business. Since moving to Myrtle Beach, in 2016, Steve have been looking to get more involved with the local community and thought his Penn State roots would be a great place to start. .

Ralph Waltman – Golf Committee

Born and raised in Columbia PA, located in the Heart of Lancaster County PA. Attended Penn State through Berks Campus in Reading PA. Earned a Associates Degree in Criminal Justice with the help of a Federal program (Law Enforcement Education Program) LEEP. Retired from Law Enforcement in May of 2016. Held many different executive positions of Local Civic Organizations; Lions, Chairs of the Elks, Columbia Education Program, past President of Local and Regional V-President of the PA Sports Hall of Fame. Moved from PA to Myrtle Beach in 2009, I have a Son residence in Penn Hills area of Pittsburgh.

Paula Brown - Board Member At-Large

Paula was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. She lived in the Moscow area until moving to Myrtle Beach with her husband Don in August of 2015. Paula is a 1979 graduate of Penn State with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education. She was an Adapted Physical Education teacher for mentally and physically challenged children, ages 6 to 21 years.

She was the Area Coordinator for the local (Area P) Special Olympics for 25 years. Paula also coached a basketball team comprised of her students at the Jefferson Center in Dunmore, PA. She taught for 34 years before retiring in June of 2013.

Paula coached high school Girl’s Tennis and Gymnastics before her children were born. She then volunteered as a youth soccer, basketball, and baseball coach. Paula also coached coed Junior High.

Paula and her husband have two children who are also Penn State Graduates. They are all lifetime members of the Penn State Alumni Association. Her daughter, Taryn is married and teaches first grade at Indianhead Elementary School in southern Maryland. Her son, Jared teaches science at Northside High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Debra K.Banzhoff
Originally from Leechburg, Pennsylvania, and lived in Maryland after she was married. Her husband passed away in 2010 and she stayed in Maryland until retiring.

In Maryland, Debra volunteered over the years with the United Way, Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross, Washington County PTA, and St. Mary’s Community Outreach Center. She served as Md. State Director of the Correctional Education Association and as Secretary of the Maryland Association for Adult, Community, & Continuing Education.

Debra has one daughter, Jessica, who is her tie to Penn State, and a wonderful son-in-law and a beautiful granddaughter. Jess earned two degrees at PSU. Debra bought my house in Murrells Inlet in 2016 and moved here after my retirement.

Debra's education background includes Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV, Regents Bachelor of Arts; Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, M.Ed. Business Ed/Technology; Frostburg University of Maryland, Administration & Supervision Credential.

Debra was employed by the Maryland State Dept. of Education, Correctional Education Program. She taught various occupational business & computer classes for 12 years to incarcerated men and women. She was then a school principal and program administrator for the next 18, before retiring in January of 2017.

Even though Debra never attended PSU, she was so excited that my daughter got to have that experience. She has been supporting the Penn State nation, in addition to being a season ticket holder since 2009.


COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES & DUTIES

Executive Committee – Tom Hendrickson, Steve Griswold, Mark Johnson
  • 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.
Membership Committee – Debbie Johnson
  • Promote membership in the chapter and Alumni Association; determine membership benefits; and utilize the comprehensive list of all paid members for each fiscal year, including current contact information referred to as Protocol One which will be developed and maintained by the chapter Treasurer.
  • Obtain two other lists from the PSU Alumni Association: (1) list of current members of the Penn State University Alumni Association who live in the Grand Strand area; and (2) list of PSU alumni who live in the Grand Strand area.
  • Review the lists provided by the PSU Alumni Association and create two lists: (1) Protocol Two – a list of current members of the PSU Alumni Association that live in the Grand Strand area and are not on the Protocol One list; and (2) Protocol Three – a list of PSU alumni who live in the Grand Strand area that are not on Protocol One or Protocol Two lists.

    Recruit new chapter membership from Protocol Two and Protocol Three lists; while continuing to contact the PSU Alumni Association to keep our Protocol lists current.

Social Committee – Open Position
  • 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.
Community Service Committee – Carol Stirone
  • 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.
Communications Committee – Steve Cottillion
  • 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
Golf Committee – Ralph Walton
  • 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
Myrtle Beach Chapter Store – Paula Brown – Chair
  • 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

BLACK SHOES. BASIC BLUES. NO NAMES. ALL GAME.