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College of HRSM Announces its
2007 Outstanding Alumni Award Recipients

The College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management (HRSM) presented its Outstanding Alumni and Friends of the College awards during Homecoming festivities.

The Outstanding Alumni recipients are:

Gary Thomas Baker

Gary Thomas Baker received his BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (BAIS) in 1986. Gary has a 30 year career in retailing and is currently employed by Target Corporation as the Store Team Leader at the new Lexington, South Carolina store. Prior to Target, he spent 25 years in store management with the Kroger Company. Gary credits professor, Colonel John Lenti, for inspiring and equipping him with the tools needed to do “whatever it took” to be a successful businessman.

Gary says about Target, “I totally enjoy working with all the cool people I’ve had a chance to meet and influence in retail. And I’m driven by the challenges and opportunities I get to tackle here.” These new people include Target employees all over the country as Gary is sent periodically to various destinations in the United States to help open new stores.

He grew up in Columbia and currently resides in Lexington, South Carolina, with his wife, Lori (BAIS 1985), and their children, Andrew, Hannah and Joe

Kevin M. Ayres

Kevin M. Ayres received his Bachelor in Hotel Administration in 1987 from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and his Masters of HRTM from USC in 1997. He is the owner/president of State Street Snacks located in Lexington, SC. His previous employment experiences include General Manager with Sodexho (University of South Carolina) and Multi-Unit Manager with Marriott. He currently serves as an Allied Board Member of the National Association of Collegiate Concessionaires, is a member of the National Association of Concessionaires and has spent 11 seasons as a Youth League coach in Soccer, Baseball and Basketball. He received the Marriott Pinnacle Achievement Award in 1991.

Kevin is an adjunct professor in the School of HRTM and has published refereed journal articles in College and University Foodservice as well as presented at a Student Research Conference on Hospitality and Tourism at the University of Houston.

He and his wife, Jill, have two children, Brendan and Bonnie, and reside in Columbia, South Carolina.

Elizabeth “Libby” Shelton Floyd

Elizabeth Shelton Floyd received her Bachelor’s degree from HRSM with an emphasis in Fashion Merchandising in 1986. She is the national television host for ShopNBC. The show is seen by more than 65 million people each day.

Libby is a former Miss Greenville, Miss Teen South Carolina All-American and worked as a professional model in New York. Her previous work experiences include: Management Training Program at Bullock’s Department Store in Los Angeles, television host for a basketball show on The Sports Channel/Los Angeles, lead singer in her own band, host of her own radio show in Pamona, California, talent agent for Wilhemina in Beverly Hills, California, published author of two books, guest host of The Shopping Channel in Canada, and National TV host of Shop at Home.

Libby says about her time here at Carolina, “My retail classes were very informative with Mrs. Kitty Strickland.” Libby credits her diverse successes in her career to the diversity that comes with studying Retail Management and the flexibility to expand the degree by taking electives in other areas.

Libby grew up in Greenville, South Carolina and is married to Tony Cane-Honeysett. They currently reside in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Sam J. Piccione III

Sam J. Piccione received his BS in Sport and Entertainment Management in 1998. He is the Director for Corporate Sales for AEG, the largest sports and entertainment provider in the world, and is responsible for developing corporate partnerships. His previous work experiences include Director of Sports Sales for NBC Sports Station Group and Director of Business Development for Telemundo Station Group and NBC Station Group. Sam also spent seven years with the Anaheim Angels Baseball Club and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in Sales and Promotions. He was a part of the 2002 Angels World Series Team. Many of his family members are Gamecock alumni as well, including his sister Gianna who is a Sport and Entertainment alumna, currently working for the Arizona Football Club in Sales and Servicing.

Sam says of his years at the university, “it was truly the best four years ever and Sport and Entertainment Management, led by Dr. Guy Lewis and Dr. Tom Regan, gave me the direction to succeed in the sports business world from day one!”

Sam currently resides in Manhattan Beach, California and works in Los Angeles.

Ernest M. Pringle

Ernest M. Pringle received his BS in Office Information Systems (now Technology Support and Training Management) in 1992 and Master of Public Administration in 2004. He is employed by the University of South Carolina as the Assistant Dean for Information Technology at the USC School of Law. Previously, Ernest was the Associate Director of Student Development and University Housing, where he provided strategic leadership and direction for all information technology services, including the planning, delivery and management of academic and administrative network administrative and telecommunication support services for the University Housing department at USC. His previous employment experiences include network operator with Policy Management Systems Corporation, and network administration with the College of Applied Professional Sciences at USC.

Ernest is president of the USC Black Faculty and Staff Association, serves as an assistant t-ball coach with Richland County Recreation Commission, and was nominated by USC president Andrew Sorensen to participate in the United Way 2005 Blueprint for Leadership.

He grew up in Charleston, SC but currently resides in Columbia with his wife Tamila (RETL 1990) and their two children, Kelsey Brianna and Trey Austin.

Elizabeth “Beth” Ann
Haltiwanger Hinshaw

Elizabeth Haltiwanger Hinshaw received her BS in Office Administration (now Technology Support
and Training Management) in 1984. Elizabeth is a sales executive with Strategic Products and Services (SPS). SPS is a premier business partner for Avaya Telecommunications. Beth’s previous work experiences include IBM, where she achieved Golden Circle status, (top 5% in the world), Black Box Network Services where she achieved Millionaire’s status (125% retainment), and Avaya/Lucent Technologies/AT&T where Beth led the regional team to 149% attainment. Beth credits her mentor, Dr. Pat Moody, for teaching her to set goals and go for them. She also gave Beth practical advice like, “don’t ever carry a pocketbook and a briefcase at the same time!”

She is a member of SCTMA, Church Council at Christus Victor Lutheran Church and is a Youth Leader with Mt. Horab Lutheran Church – catechism.

She is a Columbia native, but now resides in Chapin, South Carolina with her husband Frank and their children, Trenton Addison and Elizabeth Ashleigh.

Deborah Chandler

Deborah Chandler is the Senior Assistant to the CEO of IMI, a real estate marketing and sales company out of Greenville, South Carolina. When the CEO of IMI, Mike Collins, became the chairman of the Dean’s Partnership Board, Deborah joined him at the meetings and quickly became a valuable asset to the Board and College. Deborah’s corporate experience in marketing and event management has been instrumental in the development of the Garnet Jacket Classic tournament and Classic Party and Ultimate Auction. Through Deborah’s direction and vision, the Garnet Jacket Classic has become the premiere golf tournament in the Midlands in just a few years and has raised thousands of dollars for scholarships for HRSM students.

Deborah has not only contributed her time and talents to the tournament, but she also recruited a very special student who is now a very special alumnus. Deborah’s son, Jonathan Murray, is a 2006 Sport and Entertainment Management graduate already finding success in the music promotion industry!

The College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management appreciates the time and support of this loyal supporter and is pleased to recognize her with our highest honor, “Honored Friend of the College.”

Jim B. Owens, Jr.

Jim Owens has served on the Department of Retailing’s National Partnership Retail Advisory Board for several years and has provided astute leadership and has been an excellent supporter of the college and the department.

Jim Owens joined The Biltmore Company as Vice President of Retail Operations and Winery Guest Services in September of 2001.

Mr. Owens’ business background is quite extensive with over 30 years of senior management experience. Between 1974 and 1984, Mr. Owens worked as Vice President of Revenue at Sea World of Florida, Revenue VP at Sea World of California, and VP - General Manager of Sea World’s Florida Festival. In 1985, he was appointed to the position of Assistant to the Chairman of Harcourt, Brace and Jovanovich, Sea World’s parent company, focusing on acquisitions and expansion. His tenure with Sea World was followed by 13 years as President, CEO of SRI Enterprises, an apparel company specializing in theme park-tourism fashions, and managing his own tourism-consulting firm with clients that included major theme parks, international resorts, and regional attractions. From 1998 to September 2001, he served as senior consultant to EnterCitement, LLC, a leisure destination development and management company.

The College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management appreciates the time and support of this loyal Board Member and is pleased to recognize him with our highest honor, “Honored Friend of the College.”