george pepperdine society
MEET OUR NEWEST MEMBERS S U S TA I N I N G C I RC L E
Carrol and R. Rex Parris
Founders of the R. Rex Parris Law Firm in Lancaster, California, Carrol and Rex are fully engaged in the progress of the School of Law. Daughter Ashley (’01, JD ’05) is a Seaver College alumna and law graduate, and sons Khail (’12) and Rutger are current law students. A highly successful trial attorney and Lancaster’s mayor since 2008, Rex is a respected leader, devoted to building community and improving lives. Carrol, the law firm’s administrator, serves on the Seaver Board of Visitors. The Parrises recently made a pacesetting gift to the School of Law to establish the Parris Institute for Professional Formation, dedicated to helping law students develop career readiness.
Kristen and Timothy (’87) Phillips
A Pepperdine regent and vice chair of the $450 million Campaign for Pepperdine, alumnus Tim Phillips devotes time, talent, and resources to his alma mater. Tim, Kristen, and their two children reside in Portland, Oregon, where Tim is founder and CEO of Phillips and Company, a wealth management leader with more than 3,000 clients nationwide. At Pepperdine, the couple has invested in the Waves of Service initiative, the Jere Yates Chairman’s Suite and a classroom in the Center for Communication and Business, and the Tim and Kristen Phillips Endowed Scholarship Fund. Tim was board chairman of the Children’s Cancer Association and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, among other causes he leads and supports.
Twanna (MBA ’77) and Tim (MBA ’77) Rogers
Co-founders of Tower Energy Group, Twanna and Tim Rogers are dedicated to strengthening community through service and education. Tenacious entrepreneurs, they built their company from a home-based office into a thriving fuel retail and grocery chain along the West Coast in just 20 years. Their latest venture, the Thermal Club in the Coachella Valley, a premier motorsports facility for car enthusiasts with a passion for racing and performance driving, opened in 2013. Loyal Pepperdine alumni, Tim and Twanna established the Rogers Youth Foster Scholarship at Seaver College and graciously augmented the scholarship fund this past year, providing additional support for deserving students. Twanna serves on the University Board.
Tari (’76) and B. Joseph (’76) Rokus
Seaver alumni Joe and Tari Rokus have been Pepperdine family for over 40 years. Their generosity includes major gifts to the School of Public Policy’s Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership, men’s volleyball, women’s soccer, and—most recently—the Youth Leadership Initiative, a new outreach program committed to raising up the next generation of Christian leaders. Tari serves as chairman and Joe is CEO of Sustainable Packaging Partners, LLC. Joe is also a Pepperdine regent and an elder at the Sierra Madre Church of Christ. The Rokuses are proud parents of five children: Jamie (’06); Katie (’08); Kristen (’11); Stephen, a 2014 Southern Methodist University graduate; and Jennifer, a high school sophomore.
Amy Jo (’00) and Charles Runnels
The Runnels name is synonymous with Pepperdine. Since 1967, when Charlie was recruited to help search for a new campus, he and Amy Jo have been champions for students, supporting scholarships, fine arts and athletic events, and the future University Events Center. As chancellor, Charlie guided the University Board and the Youth Citizenship Seminar, a summer leadership program for top high school students. Parents of three Pepperdine Waves and four alumni grandchildren, the family continues to serve. Amy Jo assisted on the University Libraries campaign committee and Charlie, a Life Regent, counseled the Athletics/University Events Center committee. In 2010 the Charles B. Runnels Sports and Recreation Village was dedicated on the Malibu campus.
17