Executive Committee Biographical Sketches – Stull, Tompkins, Nease, Dusek, Sema, Faber

Executive Committee The Executive Committee of the SAO works very hard to manage the affairs of the SAO. Our Executive Committee is an energetic, committed group. The staff of the SAO News wants all members to know who are on our Executive Committee.

Jeri Stull, President

Jeri Stull is the current President of the Southern Association of Orthodontists. She is in Orthodontic Practice in Fort Thomas and Florence, Kentucky. Her long history of service to the specialty includes terms on the SAO Executive Committee, AAO Delegate, KAO President and KAO Director. Dr Stull has also served on many AAO Committees and Task Forces including: Task Force to Study Funding for the Consumer Awareness Program, Governance Study, Governance Stakeholders Committee, Task Force on Women Orthodontists, and Special Committee on Women Orthodontists. She is a current member of the SAO-SWAO Ad Hoc Committee that is investigating paths for merger of the two associations. She believes that the only way to preserve our profession is to engage our new and younger members and increase diversity in leadership that will reflect the membership. In her leisure time, Dr Stull enjoys traveling, golf, live music, and sporting events with her fiancé, Dr Dallas Margeson and her two sons, Evan and Mason.

Richard Sims Tompkins, President Elect

Sims Tompkins is a native of Columbia, SC. After graduating from Cardinal Newman High School, he received a BS degree in Microbiology from Clemson University, a DMD degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, School of Dental Medicine, and a Master’s degree in Orthodontics from Temple University, School of Dentistry. Dr Tompkins joined his father’s orthodontic practice in the fall of 1988 and became involved with dental sleep medicine in 1991.

Dr Tompkins is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Orthodontics and the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. He has been and continues to be active in a variety of professional organizations. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Association of Dental Sleep Medicine. He has been on the Board and served as President of the Greater Columbia Dental Association. Dr Tompkins is on the Executive Committee for the Southern Association of Orthodontists and is currently President-elect. He has served on the Dental Advisory Board of the Department of Allied Health at Midlands Technical College and he is a member of the South Carolina Center for Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Disorders. He volunteers his time and service several times a year to the Children’s Dental Clinic of Richland and Lexington counties and has served as a member of their Advisory Committee.

Dr Tompkins is married to his wife of 35 years, Libby, and they have three adult children and one grandson. His oldest son is currently in his orthodontic residency and plans to join his father’s practice when he returns – a practice that was established by his grandfather in January 1966.

Eric R. Nease, Secretary/Treasurer

Eric R. Nease grew up in Parrottsville, TN, third oldest town in the state, and one of the smallest. Eric is a true product of the Tennessee public school system, receiving all of his education in Tennessee, from Parrottsville Elementary School, to Cocke County High School, to the University of Tennessee, and finally the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. Eric earned both his DDS and MDS in Orthodontics from the UT College of Dentistry. He is married to Melody, a 5th grade teacher. They have 4 adult children (Sydney, Cameron, Ansley, and Reagan) in various stages of higher education that keep them both grounded. Eric is a lifelong Tennessee Volunteer fan and attends as many games as he can, both at home and on the road. He commented, “I’ve seen both the good –1998 National Championship – and the bad... have you seen them lose to Vandy recently?”. He also enjoys golfing, hunting, and the occasional trip to the ski slopes. “Orthodontics was my dream job as a child, and it continues to be that today. There’s nothing else I’d rather do! Greatest profession in the world. Shhhhh…”.

Mark Dusek, First Senior Director

Mark Dusek practices in Savannah, Georgia with his partners Drs Tom Broderick and Chris DeLeon. He is involved in organized dentistry both with the ADA and the AAO. He is married to Carol Dusek and has three children; Sarah, Philip, and Stephen. While not practicing, Dr Dusek enjoys reading, swimming, riding his bike, and playing golf.

Debbie Sema, Second Senior Director

Debbie Sema is a native of Mobile, Alabama, and grew up enjoying time with her family on the Alabama coast. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry and orthodontic residency program. Dr Sema has practiced orthodontics in the Birmingham area for over twenty years. She loves serving her community through her practice and volunteer organizations and enjoys time at the lake with her friends, family, and precious black Lab, Bella.

Beth Faber, Third Senior Director

Beth Faber is a practicing orthodontist in rural Tidewater Virginia. She earned her dental degree at the Medical College of Virginia and completed her MS certification in Orthodontics at the University of Detroit. Dr Faber has served as the VAO president and as the Virginia delegate to the House of Delegates.

Beth is an active member of Fairmount Christian Church and has served on two mission trips to Niger, Africa. She and her husband, Frank, are passionate about their family including ten grandchildren, their faith, and patients.