Alumni Spotlight
Robert F. Burris '71
Robert was born in Franklinton, Louisiana to Glendora Schilling and James M. Burris on January 17, 1953. He is one of five children with two older sisters, one older and one younger brother. The Burris family was a frequent sight at Lyman Ward during the late sixty's and early seventies when all three brothers attended the Academy. Robert, commonly known to his classmates, as "little Red" (his older brother was called "big Red") attended Lyman Ward for 5 years starting in the seventh grade and graduating in 1971. When asked why he attended Lyman Ward he often explained, "My older brother was having some academic issues in school so my Dad decided to send him to Lyman Ward. Older brother, Big Red, improved his grades so one day Dad told David and me, congratulations, your older brother has done so well at Lyman Ward you and David get to go also. End of story."
Robert entered the academy in the fall of 1966 as a very young seventh grader. With great assistance from a host of faculty, staff, and classmates Robert graduated five years later as the Corp of Cadets Battalion Commander. To this day Robert attributes many of his successes in life to the influence of the members of the Lyman Ward Staff, particularly Col. Paul Hovey, an instructor, Capt. Paul Tate, an instructor, Col. Ramsey, Academic Dean, and Col. Jenrette, Professor of Military Instruction at the time and Coach Gooden, instructor and athletic coach. It is interesting to note that two of these individuals later in their careers served as Presidents of the academy.
During his time at Lyman Ward, Robert was involved in just about everything it offered. He served in many capacities on different clubs, sports, and academics. (Note the attached reference to the 1971 Senior Yearbook) A couple of highlights he has fond memories of were being elected as the President of the State of Alabama Beta Clubs. Col. (Capt. At the time) Hovey was instrumental in guiding Robert through the process of running for the office. Robert later received a personal letter from the President of the United States, President Nixon at the time, commenting on his campaign speech and commending him for his dedication to his country.
He also reflected on Col. Jenrette (Major at the time) pushing him to try and get accepted to the United Stated Military Academy, West Point. Robert recalls going along with Col. Jenrette in opening a file with West Point, taking the appropriate entrance exams, and traveling to Fort Benning GA to take the physical exams. All the time thinking there is no way he was going to continue with any type of military school. After five years of Lyman Ward all he wanted was a normal life. Long story short, on May 5, 1971, graduation day, Major Jenrette informed Robert he had just received word that he had received a competitive appointment to West Point. Robert thanked him profusely and proclaimed he was attending a real civilian college, one in which he could let his hair grow longer than 1 inch and go to a classroom that had girls in it. (At that time Lyman Ward and West Pont accepted only male students).
And the rest of the story: On July 5, of that same year, 1971, Robert entered the plebe (freshman) class of the United Stated Military Academy. What expired between May 5th and June 5th of that year is a story for another time.
Four years later Robert received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Regular Army and BS degree in General Engineering from West Point. After attending the Infantry Officers Basic Course, airborne jump school, and Ranger School he was assigned to the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart Georgia.
For the next six years Robert and his wife Deborah were assigned to various bases across the US. In March of 1980 as a Captain, Robert assumed command of the Combat Support Company of the 1st Battalion, 40th Armored Division based in Ft. Polk Louisiana. Along the way two of their three children were born. In April of 1981 after giving up his command, Robert resigned his regular Army commission to begin a new career in the corporate world.
Robert joined the ranks of Crown Zellerbach Corporation, a paper manufacturing company based out San Francisco, California. During one of his interviews he recalled telling the interviewer he had never been in a paper mill in his life. To which they responded, not to worry, we are hiring you for your leadership skills and your background. As luck would have it his first assignment was back in Louisiana in a paper mill located in Bogalusa, a small town less than 20 miles from he and Deborah's home town of Frankinton. While living in Bogalusa their third child, Rebecca, was born. Robert worked in the production department of the paper mill rising to the job of Superintendent of the Power House responsible for the boilers and generators supplying power to the mill.
In 1986 Robert left Crown Zellerbach and went to work for Arizona Chemical Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of International Paper Company. Arizona was headquartered in Panama City, Florida (tough place to live) and operated four refineries located throughout the Southeastern United Stated. Robert started with the company in their technical services group assisting paper mills throughout North America in the collection turpentine and tall oil. Within this company he rose to the position of Director of Procurement for the corporation. In this capacity he directed the purchasing of all goods and services for the refineries and traveled throughout North and South America sourcing raw materials for the refineries.
In 1990 the winds of change started blowing again when his father and brothers started putting pressure on him to "stop playing around and come join the family business". Robert's family had a long reputation of entrepreneurship having started businesses in Southern Louisiana and Mississippi dating back to 1889 when Robert's Great, Great, Great, Grandfather started Burris Brothers Dry Goods and General Store. Burris Brothers exists today functioning as a holding company.
In March of 1991, once a again Robert left what some call Paradise, "The Emerald Coast of Florida", and relocated his family back to Louisiana. He joined Burris Mill and Feed Company based in Franklinton. From there he and younger brother David, who graduated from Lyman Ward two years after Robert, and LSU four years later, guided and directed the company to new plateaus. Leaving the mainstay of the livestock industry, Aquaculture was identified as a growth industry and one in which Burris Mill would be able to grow and prosper. In 1992, Burris Aquaculture and Specialty Feeds was formed and began a new era for the Burris family Businesses. Over the next fifteen years the business was transformed into the largest manufacturer of specialty Aquaculture feeds in the United Stated. They specialized in developing rations for emerging aquaculture species that were being grown on a commercial basis. Robert said, "our motto was we never told a customer no." It they wanted round pellets that were hard as a rock we found a way to make it. We also explained up front it was going to be very expensive. If a customer wanted 100 pounds of a product we would sell him 100 pounds. But he would also pay for the full 2000 pounds that if took us to make the 100 pounds to meet our quality specification. We quickly earned the reputation of being the most expensive manufacturer in the industry but also the one that would get the customer what he wanted. Burris Aquaculture grew to manufacture rations for all types of species living in the water such as, shrimp, alligators, turtles, crayfish, abalone, couch, redfish, trout, just to name a few. In 2003 over 70 percent if their production was exported outside of the US primarily to countries in Central and South America. They also shipped product to customers located in Kuwait, Nigeria, and Israel.
In late 2003 one of Burris Aquaculture major international competitors came knocking. Their stated objective was to get Burris to manufacture some product for them. As it turned out they were trying to figure out how a small company in South Louisiana was able to compete all over the world and win against an international giant like Cargill. Robert and David's response was simple, "we will not tell you but we will show you." In April of 2004 Burris Aquaculture was sold to Cargill and Robert started another career within the corporate world.
For the next five years Robert was employed by Cargill Animal Nutrition traveling to Cargill facilities throughout Latin America. In his words, "Our secret was pretty simple, listen to the customer and give them what they needed to succeed. When you placed their long-term success above your own short term needs, the rewards would come."
In 2009 Robert retired from Cargill. Today he is fully engaged in giving back to family, people, church and communities as well as and any worthwhile nonprofit. He travels often throughout the southeast pulling his tool trailer, barbeque pit, or RV.
It all started at Lyman Ward. The character traits of respect, accountability, discipline, dedication, integrity and leadership were introduced at Lyman Ward. They were nurtured for five years and then fine-tuned while attending West Point. I could not have asked for a better way to start my life and will be eternally grateful to all those who guided and influenced me along the way.
Cliff Leonard '64
I attended LWMA for my 11th and 12th grades. In the beginning it was a bit overwhelming leaving home for the first time except for one summer camp. I was sent there by my grandparents in an attempt to see if Lyman Ward could help with my discipline and motivation. They were hoping this would increase my GPA. Hey, I didn't see anything was wrong with a 1.999 average.
There was plenty of discipline. Seemed like everyone was telling me what and when to do almost everything from sunup to sundown. I had always been a bit rebellious and this was a struggle for me. -- About a week after my arrival grandma got a call from General Futch asking her to take me home. But that's another story.
Instructors like Lt. Clinkscales and Coach Gooden and many of my fellow students made most of my two years memorable and pleasurable. My best friend was hands down -- Robert "Ding Dong" Bell. He was a true friend and liked by everyone -- made obvious by his winning the titles "Best All Around" and "Most School Spirit" in his senior year. The camaraderie attending a small school with common interests can neither be comprehended nor understood by "regular" students in "regular" schools.
After graduation I attended Georgia Military College (GMC) in Milledgeville, Georgia, followed by two years in the Marines. While in the Marines I was in the 3rd Recon Battalion in Vietnam. GMC, the Marines, and especially Recon continued the small group camaraderie I had enjoyed at Lyman Ward.
After the Marines I worked as a police officer in Hollywood, Florida and continued my education part time eventually finishing with a masters degree from Florida State University. I never much appreciated working for others especially in large organizations. So most of my work experience has been as a private investigator or investing in real estate.
As a senior I was picked as "Wittiest" which has helped me remain married for 42 years, 3 months, 18 days, three hours 18 minutes (I can't type fast enough to put the seconds in). Of course once this is posted Linda and I will have been together even longer. We have two loving and lovable children and one perfect 4-week-old grandson.
Several years ago following some serious medical procedures, I cut back my work schedule and took up sculpting. Sculpting gives me a lot of joy, some frustration, and continues to be very long learning process. With no formal training the process has taken me through many workshops, private lessons, and some college courses in sculpting and art related classes.
Sculpting that brings me the most joy is sculpting my fellow Marine Brothers and FMF Navy Corpsmen who were killed in Iraq or Afghanistan and donating these pieces to the Marine's Family. I initially choose these Marines based on several criteria: they were connected somehow to Jacksonville, their death were combat related, I could relate to the family, and I had the skills and talent to give the Family's something permanent to show our appreciation. I also felt a connection and a bond with these Marines. That connection probably began before LWMA out of the pride I had in my Dad stemming from his WWII South Pacific combat service. It was reinforced along the way at Lyman Ward, GMC, and of course my Recon Brothers in the Corps.
Currently I'm working on a sculpture of a friend killed in Vietnam. We landed together and were in the same unit. I've been working on this bust on and off for almost a year. It's been difficult for two main reasons: he was a good friend, the photos are old and faded and he never came home. He was a KIA BNR. One of our military euphemistic acronyms: "Killed In Action -- Body Not Recovered".
I enjoyed my days at LWMA I'm glad you were there to help me along the way.
My best and Semper Fi and God Bless Robert Bell, - Cliff Leonard
Nick Myers '80
Born Nick Alan Myers at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, Alabama to Linda Hereford and Lee Roy Myers both of Bessemer, Alabama. Grew up along the Gulf Coast before the family settled in Trussville, Alabama.
In 1977, Nick and his younger brother Rick both attended Lyman Ward. Nick entered at the beginning of his sophomore year and was assigned to Alpha Company. He played and lettered in both Varsity Football and Basketball that year. By the end of his first year, he had been promoted to the rank of Cadet Sergeant and assigned as a Squad Leader. His junior year he came back as the Assistant S-3, but was soon promoted to B Company's First Sergeant and later as the Company Executive Officer. Again, he lettered in both Football and Basketball. His senior year, Nick was assigned as the Battalion S-1 and achieved the rank of Cadet Captain while also lettering in Football.
Toward the end of his senior year, Nick enlisted in the US Army Reserves and was accepted into the newly created ROTC program at UAB. Nick started UAB in the fall of 1980 and was one of the original first members of the UAB ROTC program. Nick studied Computer and Information Science while also serving as a member of the 614th MP (det) out of Jasper, Alabama. His sophomore year at UAB, Nick was promoted as the Cadet Company Commander with the rank of Major and later that same year was awarded the Reserve Officer's Association award for the University of Alabama.
In September of 1982, Nick received his commission as a 2nd Lt. in the Alabama Army National Guard assigned to the 131st Signal Battalion in Birmingham, Alabama. During his 26 year stint in both the Army Reserves and National Guard, he would graduate from the Army Signal Officer's Basic and Advance Courses in Fort Gordon, Georgia and the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His Signal Battalion served as the Communication Group for I Corp out of Fort Lewis, Washington with the area of operations being the Far Pacific. Nick served two tours overseas, Korea in 1988 and Japan in 1989. Nick was activated for Desert Storm but remained stateside. He was awarded numerous citations during his career to include the Meritorious Service Medal. He was honorably discharge in October 2006.
Nick transferred to Athens State College in Athens, Alabama where he graduated with a major in Public Safety Administration and a minor in Computer Information Science. He took his first job in law enforcement in June of 1984 and would serve almost 21 years before retiring in September 2004. During this career, he worked in Corrections, Patrol, Narcotics and Special Assignments with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1991, he began working Narcotics until being reassigned in 1994 to the FBI where he would spend the next seven years working Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement. In 2001, he was promoted and reassigned back to uniform, but following the events of 9/11, he was called back that same day to work Terrorism on a FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. During this 3 year stint, he was assigned to the International Terrorism Division and travelled extensively. In 2004, he was promoted to as the Drug Unit Commander where he served until his retirement later that year.
He loves to tell this story of how he went into private business. While working Narcotics, he trained in Jacksonville, Florida and it was here he learned about recruiting storage owners and managers as sources since criminals liked to hide their assets within storage facilities. Over the next several years, Nick did just that and became very familiar with the operation of these businesses. So in 1999, after obtaining his contractor license he developed and opened his first facility. Everyone thought he was crazy with all the other things he was doing at the same time, not to mention raising a family. The business did well, in fact so that he took early retirement in 2004 and began developing full time. In 2007, after expanding ten-fold, Nick was offered a complete buyout at the height of the real estate market. Needless to say, he accepted the buyout and that is when he and his family moved to Northern Colorado where he is living semi-retired.
Nick is married to the wonderful, Lisa Williams formerly of Jackson, Alabama. They have been married 22 years and have an 11 year old daughter, Makenzie together. Nick is also the father of Erik Myers (26) and Emily Myers (27) both of whom are married and living in the Atlanta area.
Since retiring, Nick has begun trying his hand at writing and has published 4 books in a fictional series involving a student who of course graduated from Lyman Ward. His 5th book is due out around the end of the year and the 6th and final book in the series entitled, The Ghost Ranger is due out at the end of 2012. Copies of course are available through the Alumni Store with all proceeds going toward the Alumni Association.
Nick served 5 years as an officer on the Alumni Staff and was responsible for attaining our Tax ID status which meant obtaining the land and the alumni center from the school to be formally part of the Alumni Association forever.
Bill Thomason '69
Bill attended LWMA for three years, graduating in 1969 as Valedictorian of his senior class. He was the Battalion Commander during his senior year and was also the charter president of the school's first Beta Club.
After graduation Bill enrolled at the University of Alabama. Concurrently, he enlisted and spent six years as an avionics specialist of the RF-4C Phantom jet with the Alabama Air National Guard and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant.
Bill earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting and then a Masters of Business Administration degree. He then passed the rigorous national CPA examination and was subsequently licensed as a CPA in the states of Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama.
Bill's professional career began as a senior internal auditor with The Maytag Corporation where he spent the next two decades in various financial positions, concluding as Vice President of International Operations for one of the company's three business segments.
Fulfilling a lifetime objective, Bill then founded a CPA firm in northern Alabama and for two decades he has developed it into a multi-employee regional firm serving clients across the entire state with a variety of financial services.
Bill's wife Andrea is also a financial executive. They have six grandchildren amongst three grown daughters.
These days, Bill and Andrea divide their free time between their mountain home, "Wahissa Lodge" in the north Georgia mountains and their live-aboard yacht "Pension Plan" on Lake Guntersville, Alabama.
Bill is certain that without his parent's support and wisdom in providing the opportunity to attend Lyman Ward, his life would have turned out much differently. He attributes his productive adult life to the academic, disciplinary and leadership skills developed at Lyman Ward Military Academy for which he is forever grateful and proud to be among its graduates.
LTC (R) Matthew St. Clair '64
Matthew St. Clair, Jr. was born in 1944 in South Georgia. He is third generation US Army, serving 32 years, and retired a Lieutenant Colonel of Special Forces in 1997. During that time he spent the first four years as a Special Forces trained enlisted Medical Specialist, and then went to Infantry OCS. Matthew has been stationed in Germany, Japan, Panama, Korea, Viet Nam, and many bases in the United States.
Matthew graduated from Lyman Ward Military Academy, Camp Hill, Alabama, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the State of New York, with a Major in History, and is well read in Modern German History. He was married and divorced, and has no children. During a stint in the inactive Reserve (1975-83), Matthew became an accomplished sailboat sailor, and is one of only four people (all from the same boat) to survive a category five storm in a rubber raft. He is a survival expert, and taught sea survival at the Special Forces Underwater Operations course in Key West. Matthew is also a qualified Mountaineer, an advanced SCUBA diver, and did some sky diving in his younger days.
After retiring, he lives in Poulan, Georgia.
Please accept my appreciation and heartfelt thanks for the life membership in the association. It is both an honor and privilege for me.
Understand that my gift to the school was neither a donation nor a gift, but rather interest on a debt that I owe both Lyman Ward Military Academy, and Brigadier General Theodore L. Futch (the Commandant when I attended). If it wasn't for the two, I shudder to think what I might have become in my life.
I will continue to do what I can, when I can for the School. Again, many thanks for the honor the association does me with the life membership.
Jeremy Joseph Neenan '99
Jeremy is a Graduate of Lyman Ward Military Academy in Camp Hill Alabama, class of 1999, where he excelled academically and as Co Captain of the Drill Team where he won several individual awards, including achievements such as the President's List, Presidents Cup, and Best Drilled Individual at the Auburn War Eagle Invitational. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in General Studies with concentration in Mass Communication. He participated in several academic research projects such as "Persuasive Communication " and was involved in The Organizational Communication Society, where he studied the effectiveness of business communication. Jeremy served a full academic internship with the Arthritis Association of Louisiana as a Sponsorship Sales Representative, and he assisted in raising funds and organized mass events while in- house.
Jeremy migrated his hard work ethic that was instilled in him at LWMA, and infused it into his everyday life as an accomplished sales professional. It was no surprise that he brought this same goal oriented drive and perseverance to his employment with industrial rental giant, RSC Equipment Rental. He accepted a sales position post college graduation with RSC, and established critical relationships while winning several awards and accolades along the way. Jeremy ultimately propelled his organization and helped position his local office location and district as a leader within the company. He later served as a corporate trainer, in charge of instructing customers and employees on how to operate heavy machinery and maintain OSHA safety compliance.
Jeremy is currently a sales consultant for ConMed Linvatec, a Medical Device Manufacturer where he has excelled in his area of expertise, and grown the business in his territory significantly. His current job duties include daily attendance of surgery, where he plays an advisory role to surgeons on the proper use and placement of his products. He currently resides in Pensacola, Florida.
"Without the instruction, discipline, structure, and camaraderie associated with Lyman Ward Military Academy and our way of life. Without the staff, both JROTC and Academic, who worked so diligently to shape and mold me into a gentleman. Without my best friends I lived amongst in the cadet corps. I would definitely not be where I am today. I most certainly took the road less traveled. Will you?"