West Liberty University Foundation recently announced the appointment of new board members Jack Adams and Russell Dunkin.
Adams was born in Washington, Pa. and is a resident of McMurray, Pa. After graduating from West Liberty in 1963 with Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree, he began his business career with Retail Credit Co. (Equifax). In 1967, Adams embarked on a 30-year career with Exxon Company, USA, in marketing, real estate and engineering.
Over the course of 23 years, he held several positions in Exxon’s marketing division, including leasing of retail properties, fuel sales and automotive products. In 1989, he moved to Exxon Real Estate and Engineering and was responsible for Exxon Real Estate and on site fuel distribution systems in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Northern Delaware. Adams also was responsible for environmental issues and emergency response in these regions.
Retiring from Exxon in 1996, Adams became president of SJR’s Team Supreme, Inc., in Phoenixville/Valley Forge, Pa., which became a nationally recognized leader in Exxon convenience store marketing. After eight years, he again retired in 2004.
Also a Vietnam War veteran, Adams served for five years as sergeant and squad leader with the U.S. Army Reserves 630th Trans. Co., Washington, Pa., one of five activated during the Vietnam War.
While at West Liberty, Adams was a founding brother of the Delta Omega chapter of Delta Sigma Pi International Business Fraternity. He is a member of the Gary E. West College of Business Advisory Board, Chairman of the Alumni Campaign for the Gary E. West College of Business, board member of the former WLU Alumni Association and current treasurer for the Pittsburgh Chapter of the WLU Alumni Association.
In 2012, Adams was elected to the Alumni Wall of Honor. He has been a donor to many WLU projects, most recently funding the classroom upgrades of Blatnik Hall. He is a past recipient of the Exemplary Alumni Award from the College of Business and remains an avid supporter of Hilltopper Athletics.
Dunkin is a native of Wheeling, where he currently resides. A graduate of Capitol University, Columbus, Ohio, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree in 1998. He has been a certified financial planner since 2007.
After 16 years working as both a commissioned broker and financial advisor, Dunkin took the plunge and opened his own firm in 2014.
He and his business partner, Jeremy Lowe, operate Fort Henry Capital, located at 48-14th Street, Wheeling.
An active community member, Dunkin has served as president of OV Connect for two terms, 2013 and 2014. He is a past treasurer of Laughlin Memorial Chapel, Ohio Valley Jaycees and Russell Nesbitt Services, Inc., all of Wheeling.
He is an avid runner, having completed six marathons. He and his wife Christine have one daughter, Aubrey.
Adams and Dunkin join a board that includes 27 other members, led by Chairman Les DeFelice and including: E. Marc Abraham (treasurer), Glen Dale, W.Va.; Marty Adams, Salineville, Ohio; Jason Blair, Arlington, Va.; John Bonassi, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Clyde D. Campbell, Wheeling; President Robin C. Capehart; Louis Cardamone, The Villages, Fla.; David R. Croft, Wheeling; Alfred R. de Jaager, West Liberty; John Dolan, Indiana, Pa.; Lynne Exley, Wheeling; James Frum, Wheeling; Susan Hogan, Wheeling; Daniel I. Joseph DDS, Wheeling; Bob Kota, Wheeling; Richard A. Lucas (secretary), Wheeling; R. Clark Morton, Esq., Wheeling; Norman B. Moyes, Brighton, Mass.; Judith Bartell Paesani, Wheeling; E. Alex Paris, III, Atlasburg, Pa.; Andrew Pasden, Cambridge, Md.; Thomas Reinbold, Surprise, Ariz.; Cynthia Stickley, Powell, Ohio; Will Turani, Wheeling; Gary West, Naples, Fla.; Kristina Williams; Gibsonia, Pa. Emeritus members include: R. Emmett Boyle, St. Clairsville, Ohio; Carlyle D. Farnsworth, Wheeling; Roland L. Hobbs, Wheeling; Fred Horne, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Robert Joseph, MD, Wheeling; Peter Sontag, Clearwater, Fla.; Richard Stevenson MD, Morgantown, W.Va. and G. Randolph Worls, Wheeling.
The West Liberty University Foundation supports the University through the cultivation, investment and stewardship of private funds. For more information, please contact Executive Director Chris Carder at chris.carder@westliberty.edu or 304-336-5635.