(Media release from Darlington School):
Darlington’s Board of Trustees elected five new members at the May meeting.
Wade Brannon (’79) is the CEO of the Pigtails and Crewcuts franchise and founder of Heavenly Hams, which was sold to the Honeybaked Ham Co. He previously served on Darlington’s Board of Visitors and Centennial Celebration Committee, and is a member of the J. Daniel Hanks Sr. (’27) Heritage Society and the J.J. Darlington Society. After Darlington, Brannon earned a B.S. in Economics from Washington and Lee University. He and his wife, Camille, live in Atlanta and have three children.
“Wade will be a great addition to the Board of Trustees; in addition to his business success and love for Darlington, he brings a wealth of experience with both boarding and day schools,” said Head of School Brent Bell.
Paige Collier (’88, LD ’23) is senior vice president of commercial banking for Pinnacle Financial Partners. A graduate of Leadership Darlington, she has served as a volunteer for The Darlington Fund and is a member of the J.J. Darlington Society. Collier holds a B.S. in Corporate Finance/Investments from the University of Alabama, an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Georgia and an M.S. in Real Estate from Georgia State University. A resident of Atlanta, she is the aunt of Bryson Collier (’18) and Blakely Collier (’20) and the sister of Patience Collier (’77) and Brooks Collier (’80).
“Paige has served the school well as a member of the Investment Subcommittee,” said Bell. “Her financial expertise and banking experience are skills that will add great value.”
Kevin Evans (’87, LD ’14) is owner and president of Evans Construction Co. in Rome. He returns to the Board of Trustees after serving two previous terms. A graduate of Leadership Darlington, Evans has also served the school through the Alumni Council, The Darlington Fund Leadership Team, Second Century Campaign Cabinet, Ever Forward Campaign Cabinet, Tiger Pride, and the Fine Arts and Athletic Booster Clubs. He is also a member of the J.J. Darlington Society. A graduate of Southern Polytechnic University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, he is the father of Lindsey (Evans) Willis (’12) and Keara (Evans) Leonard (’16).
“We are thrilled to have Kevin rejoin the Board,” said Bell. “His love for the school and his community is second to none.”
Ransom James (’92, LD ’23) is a partner at Grove Mountain Partners in Atlanta. A graduate of Leadership Darlington, he is an Ever Forward Campaign volunteer and member of the J.J. Darlington Society. James holds a B.B.A. from Washington and Lee University and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia. He and his wife, Michele, are the parents of Mily James (’25), a current boarding student at Darlington. He is also the brother of Bedell James (’87) and Ingram James (’84).
“Ransom has a great Darlington story and I am thrilled we have been able to reconnect him to the school as a parent and now as a Board member,” said Bell.
Charlie Williams (’82) is the CEO of Charles Williams Real Estate Investment Co. in Rome. He has served the school as a class agent and as a member of The Darlington Fund Leadership Team, Tiger Pride, Athletic Booster Club, and J. Daniel Hanks Sr. (’27) Heritage Society. Williams holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Liz, are the parents of Kelsey Ann (Williams) Bassell (’12), Chas Williams (’14) and Dawson Williams (’20). He is also the son of Charles William Sr. (’54) and the brother of Kathy (Williams) Harper (’84), Dottie (Williams) Hall (’87), and Gardner Williams (’91).
“Charlie’s wisdom and experience, particularly in real estate, make now an ideal time for him to be a Darlington trustee,” said Bell.
Retiring trustees included Deborah (Heyman) Harris (’72T, LD ’17) and Hank Linginfelter (’79).