Tallahassee, Florida – The Community Foundation of North Florida is pleased to announce its new board members, Eric Friall and Lillie Thomas. The Foundation also welcomes new Investment Committee members, Ben Bowersox, Reid Hanway, and Erin McCarty.
Eric Friall is President & CEO of Simply eConnect. His diverse background includes leadership roles at TAS Energy and ownership of a 9round Kickboxing Fitness Center Franchise. His civic engagement includes mentoring for the Leon County school system and serving in leadership positions for FSU Opening Nights Development Council, TMH Patient Family Advisory, 100 Black Men Tallahassee Area, and the FSU Black Alumni Association.
Lillie Thomas is President & Chief Financial Officer of Cornerstone Construction Company, Inc. She joins the board with significant financial and administrative expertise. An FSU alumna, Lille holds a BS In Political Science and an MS in Public Administration. Her current civic engagement includes serving on the Capital City Bank Advisory Board, the National Association of Professional Women, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, and Leadership Tallahassee, Class 34.
Ben Bowersox is a Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor for Capital City Investments. He brings to the Investment Committee an extensive knowledge of investment management and financial planning. Ben’s prior experience includes roles at Johnson & Johnson and nine years as a US Navy officer and helicopter pilot. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of the South and an MBA from Florida State University, along with the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER designation. Ben is active in the Tallahassee Regional Estate Planning Council, Leadership Tallahassee, Leadership Florida, and the Economic Club of Florida.
Reid Hanway is the Managing Partner of Purify Bay Group. He has extensive experience in private equity investments spanning venture capital, growth equity, leveraged buyouts, and has managed one of the nation’s largest and most tenured co-investment portfolios in the pension ecosystem. After a decade in private equity, Reid transitioned to a business operations role. His strategic expertise will be invaluable to the Investment Committee.
Erin McCarty is a Financial Advisor and Director of Operations with Cypress Capital and has a comprehensive background in finance and insurance. She is a graduate of FSU, and holds a BS in Finance, Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses, and insurance licenses for Variable Life, Variable Annuities, Fixed Life, and Fixed Annuities. Erin is actively involved in the community through her work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend.
Board members continuing to serve are Susan Payne Tuner (Chair), Kelly O’Keefe (Vice-Chair), Rob Sniffen (Secretary), Beth Corum (Treasurer), John Bradley (Investment Committee Chair), Ryan Cohn (Member-at-Large), Kate Clark, Hetal Desai, Andrew Gay, Ana Melendez, Murray Moore, Angie Sipple, Todd Sperry, and Ying Wang.
“We are honored to welcome these accomplished individuals to our esteemed Board of Directors and Investment Committee,” said Katrina Rolle, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of North Florida. “Their diverse expertise and backgrounds will enhance our ability to continue to serve our community and support local initiatives.”
The Community Foundation of North Florida is a tax-exempt public charity that supports local initiatives, fosters community growth and development, and promotes and facilitates immediate and long-term charitable giving by connecting individuals, families, and businesses to causes they care to support. To learn more, visit www.cfnf.org, or contact us at 850-222-2899.