Board Names Officers The UT Board of Trustees announced its slate of officers for the next two years. Don DeFosset will serve as chair. As founder and principal of The DJD Group, DeFosset oversees investments and operations in multiple industries. He is also active in state, regional and local community affairs, including co-chairman of the 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee for the upcoming Republican National Convention, and was appointed by the governor of Florida to the Tampa Sports Authority. John B. West will serve as vice chair. West is the CEO of Lion Investments, where he oversees an investment portfolio. He is also a partner of Hire Partners, where he is engaged in the strategic direction and acquisitions growth plans for the company. West founded System One in 1987, which he sold to Monster Worldwide, the parent company of monster.com, in 2000.
James L. Ferman Jr. will serve as secretary. Ferman is president and CEO of Ferman Motor Car Company and its 15 affiliated dealerships headquartered in Tampa, FL. Founded in 1895 by his grandfather, the Ferman family business is ranked as one of the largest dealership groups in Florida and the U.S. He is also chairman of the Bank of Tampa, a director of TECO Energy Inc., former chair of the Chamber of Commerce and current trustee of Emory University. Gene McNichols will serve as immediate past chair. McNichols is chairman and CEO of McNichols Company, the nation’s leading metal service center specializing in metal with holes. McNichols serves on various boards including the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, The Salvation Army, The Spring, The Florida Aquarium and as the vice chairman of the operating board of Tampa General Hospital.
Changes to Minaret Society Dinner Since 1972, the Minaret Society has recognized those who donate $1,000-$9,999 annually to UT as members of the Minaret Society, either on the Bronze, Silver or Gold Crescent levels. Those donors who make a gift of $10,000 or higher annually are Minaret Society members at the President’s Council level. The University deeply appreciates all of our donors, especially those who are members of the Minaret Society. Every November, all members of the Minaret Society from the previous fiscal year are invited to attend our annual Minaret Society Dinner. Beginning with the November 2013 event, invitations to the dinner will be extended only to those donors who are members of the Minaret Society Silver Crescent level ($2,500-$4,999) or higher. If you have any questions, contact Dan Gura, vice president of Development and University Relations at (813) 253-6277 or dgura@ut.edu. Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement.
Editor’s Note
Shop Talk Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of the American Gas Association, was one of three featured speakers at the 25th annual Fellows Forum. Close to 1,000 attendees came to this year’s Forum,
In the “Why I Give” column of the Winter 2012 issue, we inadvertently transposed Lyman Wiltse’s name in John Wuertz’s answer to the question, “Most memorable professor?” We also misspelled David Tavlin’s name in the Donor Honor Roll in the Fall 2011 issue. Tavlin and his company, Crossroads Construction, are recognized as a Gold Crescent Member of the Minaret Society.
which had a record amout of sponsorships. Proceeds from the Forum benefit the Board of Fellows Endowed Scholarship. UTjournal spring 2012 39