Staff Council Representatives Bios

Each staff council member has contributed a brief bio so you can learn more about the individuals you have elected to serve you and the EKU community. 

Crystal Barger

I am an EKU Alumni and have been employed by EKU for the past 12 years.  Currently I serve as the Human Resources Specialist for the College of Justice and Safety/Training Resource Center.  The emphasis of my work is geared toward externally funded staff.  I hope to use my years of experience at EKU to benefit other staff and look forward to serving on the first EKU Staff Council.

Beverly Burrus                                   

Secretary/Treasurer, EKU Staff Council

Currently I serve as the Senior Coordinator for Student/Client Support Services in Continuing Education and Outreach.  I am an EKU alumna and have been employed at Eastern for 28 years serving in the College of Business, University Advancement and the President's office prior to my current office.  I believe these years of services in various areas has given me the background and experience to be beneficial to our staff.  Eastern, her students, and all of the folks that work together to make EKU such a great place have been much of my life for these years.  I look forward to returning to EKU all that she has given me by serving on the Staff Council.

Denise Conner

Anne Cross       

I have been an employee at EKU for ten years all in Purchasing in the Division of Financial Affairs.  I belong to the Colonel Club and am an avid EKU sports fan.  I am a wife, mother and grandmother.  I am very family oriented and love spending time with them.  My husband and I moved to Richmond ten years ago and I am so glad we did.

I feel greatly honored to serve as a member of the Staff Council.  I was privileged to be picked to serve on the Staff Council Steering Committee and be a part of a historical event in EKU's history.  It was very important to me to know that the Staff would now have a greater voice in the University.  I love people and get a great satisfaction out of helping and doing for others.

Stephanie King                                   

Vice-Chair, EKU Staff Council: Chair, Communications Committee

I have worked at EKU for ten years; I started as a student worker in Academic Computing and worked my way to a full-time position with the department.  I have worked as a Secretary, Senior Clerk, Senior Secretary, Computer Lab Associate and currently Telecommunications Coordinator and I am an EKU Alumni.  I have been married to Bruce for 9 years and have a beautiful 3 year old daughter named Haylie Grace.  I am proud to serve the University and its staff members as a representative of the first Staff Council.

Lisa Laird                                             

Chair, EKU Staff Council; Chair, Executive Committee

I work as the University Scholarship Coordinator under the division of Student Financial Assistance. Prior to the Scholarship Office Iworked in the Office of Admissions. I am a proud EKU Alumni, married to Rick and have an 11 year old daughter; Megan. I take pleasure in my work and really benefit from the people I work with. I believe in the mission of the University and I am very proud to serve on the first Staff Council.

Jey Marks                                             

Chair, Elections and Credentials  Committee

Bennett Derrell Rowe

I am 43 years old and have been with Eastern for 19 Years.  I live in Mt. Vernon, KY and have been married for 18 years.  I have a 21 year-old step son and 2 daughters, Tara, 17 and Sarah, 13.  In my spare time I like spending time with my kids, going to my girls basketball games and, when I get a little extra time, I like fishing.

JoAnn Storie

I am presently the Administrative Assistant in Dept. of Health Promotion & Administration.  I have been employed at EKU since August, 1987.  I earned a 2 year Business Degree from Kentucky College of Business and have 2 years completed at EKU.  I am a Kentucky native via Indiana , Illinois , Texas and Florida.  I have two sons and two grandsons.

I assist the Department Chair, Dr. Mike Ballard and 18 faculty members in this Academic Dept., with a student base of 2500, per week. I also supervise 5 student employees and 3 graduate assistants, plus all other work that comes with being an Administrative Assistant (accounting, bookkeeping, computer lab supervisor, all clerical etc.).  I enjoy working in this academic department and have gained a wealth of knowledge about EKU, how it operates and about academics. Also, I have met a lot of good people here and have made many good friends. I care about what happens to staff and their well being and am willing to work for the betterment of us all.

Carol T. Thomas

Hossein Vaez                                        

Chair, Issues and Benefits Committee

Currently, I am serving as the Laboratory Manager for the Department of Physics and Astronomy and teach part-time for the Department of Technology. I am a proud graduate of Eastern from the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business & Technology, and Justice & Safety and also hold a doctorate degree in Instructional System Design from University of Kentucky. I have been at Eastern since 1980 and at the Physics Department since 1988. Previously, I worked for Academic Computing Services and Science Learning Resource Center. I am honored to be a member of the newly found Staff Council at EKU and proud to serve my constituencies in the Communications Committee, Executive Committee, and Issues& Benefits Committees. Being involved in the Staff Council is a unique learning experience and I strongly encourage our staff to get involved with our committees and volunteer their services.

David Williams                                    

Member Ex-officio

VOLUNTEER MEMBERS BIOS

Melanie Bentley

Jennifer Evans

Gene Kleppinger

Laura Melius

Tina Scott

Lynn Tyler

I am currently the administrative assistant to the university's Director of Athletics, John Shafer. I have 10+ years of experience at EKU, as a mail clerk, as secretary to the chair of the Department of Geography and Planning, and as secretary for the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. I am a native of Danville, but have resided in Richmond since 1968 when I came to EKU as a freshman. I thoroughly enjoy my current position, love the university environment, and especially enjoy interacting with the student body. I am excited about the formation of our first Staff Council and look forward to volunteering as a member of the Communications Committee.

Tim Weckman

I have been employed as Laboratory Manager in the Biological Sciences Department since 1988, and have worked in higher education for more than 20 years. I earned my bachelor’s degree at University of Kentucky and my MS degree from Eastern Kentucky University. Universities can be great places to work because they are learning environments filled with vitality, diversity and opportunities for curiosity and growth. My interest in participation in the EKU Staff Council centers around issues such as just compensation, access to professional development and career advancement opportunities and equity in access to all the benefits present in a university community. I believe the Staff Council can provide the opportunity to build staff inclusion into governance of the university.