Organizer Bios

Joseph R. Flanders Jr, President & Co‐Founder

_Joseph-R-Flanders-Jr2

Joseph R Flanders Jr

Joseph Flanders, Jr. is currently the Director of Facilities for the College of Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.  Previously he worked as a Zone Manager in Facilities Planning & Management at Washington University.  Prior to his 5 years at WashU, he worked 20 years at Anheuser-Busch,  where he spent 15 of those years as a Manager in Quality at four breweries (Jacksonville, FL, Fort Collins, CO, Columbus, OH, and St. Louis, MO) and 5 years as a Facility Manager in the Resident Engineering department.  Joe received a B.S. in Chemistry from The Great Bethune-Cookman University, which is located in the sunny city of Daytona Beach, FL and a M.S. in Chemistry from Florida A&M University, which is located in Tallahassee, FL, the home of the state capital.

In addition to his professional career, he is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and is a strong advocate for educational advancement. He is also involved in a variety of non-profit organizations, community service activities, scholarship programs, and college recruiting for his beloved alma mater.  His commitment to Bethune-Cookman University is exhibited in his service as an Associate Trustee.  He is also the co-founder of the It’s Not Too Late Scholarship which was established in 2009’ for all college students.  He currently resides in Swansea, IL with his lovely wife Theresa, and their son Loyal Cristian Flanders.


Theresa Flanders ‐ Executive Director, Co‐Founder

_Theresa-Lyons-Flanders

Theresa Lyons Flanders

Mrs. Theresa Lyons Flanders is a Compliance Officer (On Call) for the OSF Healthcare in Peoria, IL. Prior to her career at OSF Healthcare, she was Compliance Investigations Officer at Tenet Healthcare at the corporate office in Dallas TX. She also has worked as a Provider Network Performance Manager for Complex Care at the Centene Corporation in St. Louis, MO and also worked as a Physicians Relations Executive for Saint Louis University Hospital. She graduated from Bethune-Cookman University in 1995 with a B.S. in Mathematics. She also received a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of South Florida in 1997 and became a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives in May 2013. Currently she is Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) and obtained her Masters of Jurisprudence in Health Law & Compliance from the School of Law at Loyola Chicago University in August, 2022. In additional to her involvement with several national health care organizations, she has served as a member of the board of directors for the Missouri Health Executive Group since 2009 and it’s Regent Council since 2011.

Theresa is an active member of the East St. Louis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she has chaired several committees including Nominating, Healthy Lifestyles, and EMBODI. In November 2012, Theresa was named Citizen of the Year by Nu Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and NPHC Distinguished Greek Leader in 2011 and 2014. Theresa is also a member of New Life Community Church in East St. Louis where she volunteers as a marriage mentor and youth leader.

Theresa has been married to Joseph Flanders, Jr. (B-CU grad 1994) since September 1999. They are the proud parents of a talented and brilliant son, Loyal Christian.


Dr. Tracia Culver ‐ Secretary

_Tracia-E-Culver

Dr. Tracia E Culver

Dr. Tracia Culver is an Assistant Principal for Volusia County Schools in Daytona Beach, Florida. As an educator of 25+ years, 9 of those years were spent as a classroom teacher as a 6th grade Life Science teacher and as a K-3 and 8th grade Varying Exceptionalities teacher. I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in Elementary Education from the great Bethune Cookman College (University) in July, 1995. I later received my Masters of Science in Varying Exceptionalities and my Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership, both from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 1999 and 2003. I have currently completed my doctorate degree in Human Services Administration with a minor in Curriculum Design.

In addition to being an administrator, I am an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, currently serving as the chapter president. I am the scholarship chairman for the local alumni association for Bethune Cookman University. I am also a member of the Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA). I am married to Dr. Terence S. Culver and the mother of 4 girls, Tori, Teah, Teren & Taylor. We currently reside in Daytona Beach, Florida.


Dr. Cedric Owens ‐ Board Member

Cedric Owens

Dr. Cedric Owens

Dr. Cedric Owens is a clinical pharmacist at Humana Inc. located in Louisville, Kentucky. In his 10-year career as a pharmacist, Cedric spent five years with Walgreen Company, as a community pharmacist where he was passionately involved in the well being of customers. Recently, he has transitioned into managed care pharmacy and is now involved in transforming the healthcare system.  Most recently, he has obtained his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Louisville, with a focus in entrepreneurship.  Cedric received his Doctorate of Pharmacy degree in 2008 from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where his passion to transform the field of healthcare started. In addition to his professional career, he is involved in a variety of community service activities.  Cedric is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and is a strong advocate for financial education and cultivating business skills in the leaders of tomorrow.  Cedric Currently resides in Louisville, KY with his lovely wife, Crystal and two children, Caleb and Cydnee (twins).


Kennard Edwards ‐ Board Member

_Kennard-Edwards

Kennard Edwards

Kennard Edwards is a Consumer Acquisitions Manager at Ally Financial Services in Duluth, Georgia (formerly known as GMAC).  In his 35+ year career with Ally Financial Services, he has held several management positions.  He received his B.S. Degree in Business Administration in 1986 from Bethune-Cookman University, located in Daytona Beach, Florida and later received a Masters Degree in Management from The University of Phoenix, located in Phoenix, Arizona.  In addition to his professional career, he serves on the Associate Board of Trustees for Bethune-Cookman University.  His favorite education quote is “Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom” by George Washington Carver.  He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc, an active member in his community, and has coached little league sports 16 years.  He currently resides in Lithonia, Georgia with lovely wife of 26 years and two boys, Kennard, II and Kenton.


Pamela G. Ware ‐ Treasurer

Pamela G. Ware

Pamela G. Ware

Pamela G. Ware is an Account Manager at InteliSpend Prepaid Solutions – A Blackhawk Network Company. Prior to entering the Prepaid Card industry, Pamela worked in the Managed Care Insurance industry with expanded roles and responsibility during her 20+ year tenure. She received a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Illinois; Champaign/Urbana and a Masters in Public Administration from Southern Illinois University; Edwardsville.

Pamela is an active member of the East St. Louis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she has severed as the Treasurer, Financial Secretary and chaired several committees including Budget and Finance, Audit, and Fundraising.

Pamela is committed to helping children obtain an engaging, challenging, and developmentally appropriate education. Her service with the Board of Directors for the Delta Economic Development Corporation furthers her pledge.

Pamela is the care giver for her brother, William E. Ware, Jr. She currently resides in East St. Louis, IL.

Save

Save

Save