B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

Abe Harper

Chairman of the Board

Abe Harper is the President and CEO of Harper Technologies, LLC - a Concierge Culture IT Service Provider based in Mobile, AL. Harper, a native of Daphne, AL, is an alumnus of the Alabama School of Math and Science, husband, father of two, and a licensed pilot. He strongly believes in intentional mentorship and its resounding community impact.

**Sherri Bumpers -** *Vice Chairman*
Sherri Bumpers joined the Prichard Prep Board of Directors in 2014 and has held the positions of Chairman of Development and Chairman of the first annual Passion for Prichard Prep Luncheon. Bumpers attended Auburn University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. In 2018, Bumpers joined Alabama Media group as a Senior Account Executive.

**Mel Washington -** *Treasurer*
Mel Washington is the Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center for The University of South Alabama. Mr. Washington holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Howard University, a Master’s in Business Administration from New York University, and completed the Administration Executive Education Program at Wharton School of Business.

**Sonya Rodgers -** *Secretary*
Sonya Cunningham Rodgers was raised in Prichard, AL and graduated from the local high school in Prichard, C.F. Vigor High School. She received her BS degree from Alabama State University and obtained her MBA from the University of Mobile. Sonya is employed as a Supervisory Contract Specialist with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. She is a graduate of Leadership Mobile. Sonya is very active in the community serving on several boards and organizations. She is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Theta Omega Graduate Chapter. She currently serves as a member and as secretary of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Foundation Board of Directors. She is a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on Cody Road.
Sonya has two children, KaLeah and Kylen and one granddaughter who is the apple of her eye, Dru.

**William Bruce**
Mr. Bruce is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in macroeconomics. He has served as a bank director, as chairman of his city's airport and industrial authority and on several state and national boards of professional organizations.
Additionally, Mr. Bruce has owned and managed several businesses of his own. His business brokerage experience ranges from small retail shops to large manufacturing plants. This broad background and experience is now available to his clients in the business sales and acquisitions marketplace. Mr. Bruce also currently serves as a judge for the Small Business Book Awards sponsored by Small Business Trends of Cleveland, Ohio. Additionally, he has been certified as an expert witness in court trials involving business valuation issues.

**Hunt Griffith**
Hunt began his career with Morgan Stanley in 2011. His focus is on building new and strengthening existing client relationships. A native of Mobile, Hunt is a graduate of the University of South Alabama where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Hunt serves on the Senior Bowl committee, volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, is a member of the National Alumni Association at the University of South Alabama and serves on the Autism2Ability board.

**Rob Guthans, Jr.**
Rob is President of ServiceMaster Advanced Cleaning and Restoration; and President of ServiceMaster Services Janitorial. He is the President of the Mobile Industrial Development Board, former President of the Board of Volunteer Mobile, and is a graduate of Leadership Mobile. Rob teaches continuing education to the property & casualty insurance industry, and he serves as a Big Brother for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Alabama. He has served in many capacities for a variety of local non-profits including being a division chair for the Chamber Chase and the United Way; and he has served on the board of Young Life and the Child Daycare Association. He is active in several social, political and business organizations, and he has recently joined the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors. Rob is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and is married to Tami Smith Guthans.

**Virginia “Ginna” Bru Inge**
Ginna Bru Inge is the wife of Clifton Inge, Jr. and is the mother of Clifton Inge, III and Conrad Inge. Clif and Ginna are the owners of the Steeple on St. Francis. Ginna has served on the Young Life Committee, the Exploreum Board, the Downtown Mobile Alliance and Southsounds Festival Board. She has been involved with fundraising for the Mobile Rescue Mission and has served as a volunteer over the years. “I first learned about the dream of Prichard Prep from Ms. Ruby while I was tutoring a young man at PureWord Academy in the early years of the birth of this ministry. It is encouraging to see the progress that has been made all of these years later. I look forward to being involved again.”

**Leslie Lerner**
Leslie Lerner, a native of Houston, TX, and graduate of the University of Houston, with a degree in Political Science, leads the Community Development and Service Department at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile. Mrs. Lerner brings St. Paul’s high school students to Prichard Prep on a weekly basis, building relationships through tutoring, arts, crafts, and various other educational activities.

**Lenise Ligon**
Lenise Ligon Anchors FOX 10 News at 4, 5, 9, and 10 pm. Her warm-hearted interview style, trustworthy personality, and passion for delivering the news accurately are some of the reasons why she is a reliable presence in our community. Lenise received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in Spanish from Michigan State University. With a passion for speaking at schools and devoting time to various community organizations, Lenise has received many awards for volunteerism. For her long-time involvement and hard work, Lenise has also been recognized by the American Heart Association for her dedication to educating the public on the importance of maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle. Practicing what she preaches, Lenise has recently become an avid marathon runner.

**Claire McCarron -** *Past Chair*
Claire McCarron is a Senior Vice President of Wealth Management at Hancock Whitney Bank and brings a wealth of financial expertise to Prichard Preparatory School. McCarron has a BA in Psychology from Davidson College in North Carolina and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. McCarron is also a Certified Treasury Professional and certified with Moody's Credit Risk. McCarron is very involved in the local community having served on the Dauphin Way Child Development Center Board, the Boards of Mobile Symphony, and The Mobile Arts Council, and currently, serves on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Mobile in addition to being an active participant on the Prichard Preparatory Board of Directors.

**Frank Schottgen, IV**
Frank Schottgen, IV is the Co-Owner of Serda’s Coffee. A native of Mobile, Frank graduated from St. Paul’s Episcopal School and then the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. While in high school, he began to volunteer with Mrs. Lerner’s service leadership class. Through her leadership and involvement with Prichard Preparatory School, Frank’s passion to serve such a fantastic organization began. He knew early on that Prichard Prep was a special place where great things were happening.

**Edie Terreson**
Edie Terreson was formerly an Equity Mutual Fund Manager and Stock Analyst in New York City and most recently with VanKampen Investments/INVESCO in Houston, TX. Terreson has a B.S. from Florida State University and an MBA in Finance from New York University. In addition to serving as Vice Chairman for the Prichard Prep Board of Directors, Terreson serves on the Thomas Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, St. Paul’s Episcopal School Board of Directors, and is involved with Mobile Rescue Mission.

**Ricardo Woods**
Ricardo serves as the Chief Legal Counsel and City Attorney for the City of Mobile. He was appointed by the Honorable William S. Stimpson in 2013. As City Attorney, he manages the City's outside counsel, serves as chief legal advisor to the executive branch and executive director of the City's internal legal department. Ricardo is also a partner at Burr and Foreman. In additional to his government and bar service, Ricardo has served as a leader in the non-profit community for years. He has served as President of 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile, Inc., Chairman of Mobile United, President of the Vernon Z. Crawford NBA affiliate, and Chairman of AL.com's first Gulf Coast Young Professional's Summit. Ricardo is a native of Natchez, MS and attended both undergraduate and law school as a recipient of leadership scholarships. While in law school he was a member of the school's nationally ranked Trial Team and served as the Chief Judge of the Trial Board.

**Katherine Zarzour**
Katherine Zarzour is a retired educator of the deaf and served as a board member for St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile for 15 years. As the mother of six children, Zarzour has dedicated her life to serving others and comes to Prichard Prep once a week with her trained therapy dog, Lyla, to visit the school, teaching character development and serving as a mentor. Mrs. Zarzour has served on the Board of Directors of Prichard Prep since its founding and has been instrumental in the school’s growth.

Founders Emeritus

The Honorable Sandy Stimpson

Mayor of Mobile

Dr. Ruby Eldridge

Pastor - Pure Word Ministries