School of Business and Public Management

Education
Ph.D. in Finance and International Business, Old Dominion University
M.A. in Economics, Old Dominion University
J.D. in Law, Georgia State University College of Law
MTx in Federal Taxation, Georgia State University
M.S. in Personal Financial Planning, Georgia State University
B.S. in Accounting and Finance, Northern Illinois University

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Research: Federal Taxation, Portfolio Analysis, Investments, and Personal Finance
Teaching: Accounting, Federal Taxation, Investments, Personal Finance, and Financial Statement Analysis

Education
M.A. in Education Administration, Springfield College, Springfield, MA
B.S. in Education, Springfield College, Springfield, MA

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Business Leadership and Management; with particular emphasis on business planning, goal setting, team building, inspired leadership, business ethics, communication and collaboration.

Education
Ph.D. in Accounting, Georgia State University
Dissertation Title: An Analysis of Financial Information as it Relates to Failed Commercial Banks – A Multivariate Approach
M.S. Accounting, University of Central Florida
B.A. Accounting, University of Georgia

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
All aspects of financial accounting and the importance of accounting internships to student success.

Education
Ph.D. in Political Science with Distinction, Northern Arizona University
M.A. in Political Science with Distinction, Concentration: Public Policy, Environmental Policy, Northern Arizona University
Graduate Certificate in Public Management, Northern Arizona University
B.S. in Biology, College of Charleston

Teaching and Research Interests/Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Fields of Study: Public Policy (Primary), International Relations (Secondary), Environmental Policy/Politics (Cognate)
Dissertation: “Interpreting Sustainability: An Analysis of Sustainable Development Narratives Among Developed Nations”
Chair, Department of Criminal Justice, Public Policy, and Management
Tenured Associate Professor of Public Management
Former Director of the Honors Program at the College of Coastal Georgia
Former Sustainability Coordinator/Director at Northern Arizona University and the Sea Island Company
Associate of the Reg Murphy Center for Economic and Policy Studies
Certified in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)

I teach courses in public administration, public and for-profit management, public and environmental policy, sustainability, environmental political theory. My research spans environment and sustainability topics but often relates to the topic of the integration of sustainability in policy.

Recent Publications include:

Trussell, M.R., & Farley, H. (2023). Economic impact of CarePortal donations in Glynn County, Georgia.
Journal of Public Child Welfare, 18(5), 1074-1083.

Farley, Heather M. and Zachary A. Smith (2020). Sustainability: If it’s Everything is it Nothing?
Routledge. 2nd edition. In Progress.

Rudd, M.A., Moore, A.F.P., Rochberg, D. et al. (2018). “Climate research priorities for policy-makers, practitioners, and scientists in Georgia, USA.” Environmental Management 62: 190.

Bill Garlen is a seasoned management and leadership professional with diverse credentials that combine tactical leadership, corporate executive management, marketing, communications and human resources expertise. Garlen spent years as a business entrepreneur and has a background of achieving success in television, media, music, consulting, corporate, and proprietary business environments. His teaching background includes over 20 years experience in diverse adult education. Additionally, he spent several years in corporate training consulting where he designed, developed and taught courses online and in the classroom. Corporate courses developed include topics in business, management, leadership, marketing, mechanical engineering, real estate, appraisal, adult continuing education, occupational skills, safety and a wide range of computerized applications.

Garlen worked his way from the entry level up to executive management in large corporations, trained as a military officer, owned successful businesses and led a number of volunteer organizations. He served on the Boards of Directors of publicly traded companies. As a board member he served as a lead director, and as chairman of both the audit and compensation committees. He still serves on community boards with Rayonier and the Federal Correctional Institute in Jesup. His knowledge in balancing state, federal and institutional requirements with the practical needs of academic, business and industrial organizations provides him with a unique insight into business, management, and leadership with a unique ability to communicate real world knowledge to his students.

Garlen is a member of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education, International Leadership Association, Learning and Development Center of Excellence and Education Technology and eLearning Professionals. At the College of Coastal Georgia he assists in administering and overseeing programs in the School of Business and Public Affairs, supports the development and coordination of the various curriculums in the School, coordinates the use of part-time faculty (recruitment, text selection, and orientation) and assists in assessment activities of the various programs within the school. In addition Garlen serves on the College of Coastal Georgia Curriculum Committee, the Web Oversight Committee, and on numerous faculty and staff search committees.

T. David Reese is a Professor of Finance & Economics in the School of Business & Public Management at the College of Coastal Georgia.

“Dr. T.” David Reese also serves as a consultant to governmental agencies and for-profit and non-profit organizations on matters related to Economic Development, Community Development and Business Development. Dr. Reese’s past consulting clients include: the U.S. Department of the Treasury; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”); and the City of Montgomery (AL). Over the past 20 years, Dr. Reese has held management positions with a range of public, private and community financial institutions. Prior to his career in academia, he spent more than 10 years on Wall Street, working as an Investment Analyst with Metropolitan Life and as a Vice President of Citicorp Investment Bank. During 1980’s, while working on Wall Street, Dr. Reese acquired the nickname “Dr. T.” During this period, Dr. T. worked with a number of major corporations, investor groups and entrepreneurs to structure and finance leveraged buyouts. He has been active in community economic development throughout his career. He worked with two municipally-sponsored non-profits in New York City which served small businesses owned by women and people of color. Dr. Reese also served as the youngest board member of 100 Black Men of New York, a group of business and community leaders dedicated to the political and economic empowerment of African-Americans. Dr. T is a former Director of the Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF), a multi-million dollar community development venture capital fund that finances small businesses and creates jobs for low-income persons. LEAF, headquartered in Boston, finances transactions throughout the country.

Dr. Reese earned his undergraduate degree at Dartmouth College and his master’s degree and doctorate at Southern New Hampshire University. Dr. Reese engages in research in three areas: Small Business Finance, African-American Entrepreneurship, and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Ultimately, a desire to identify and understand those factors that impact access to capital for various marginalized communities motivates all of Dr. Reese’s research interests.

Mr. Stephen Shehan-Nichols is the Academic Services Coordinator for the School of Business and Public Management, and is responsible for coordinating the administrative, academic, and support functions of the school. He joined Coastal Georgia in the fall of 2018 and served as the Freshmen Academic Advisor for the School of Business and Public Management prior to being named Academic Services Coordinator.

Mr. Shehan-Nichols is a seasoned academic professional experienced in serving diverse student populations in various settings in higher education. With over a decade of experience, he has worked in various professional roles in admissions, academic advising, financial aid advising, and career services advising at both Chamberlain University and National University.

He has a passion for mentoring students and supporting academic success. He is an intrinsically motivated individual, who strives to attain personal and team goals with enthusiasm and integrity. He believes that in order for academic services to be effective they must be both purposeful and holistic. He is known to be a student advocate and helps students achieve their education goals, teaching them about the nature of higher education, and provoking them toward greater levels of self-awareness and responsibility.

Mr. Shehan-Nichols received both his M.Ed in Adult Education and B.S. in Organizational Management from Tusculum College. He obtained his certification as a Certified Life Coach in 2020.

Prior to a career in higher education, Mr. Shehan-Nichols worked in varying managerial roles in business in the telemarketing, banking, and shipping industries. He worked his way from entry level manager to executive management and served as an Executive Director of Customer Service and Training in the shipping and packaging industry. His unique and comprehensive experience in training, mentoring, team building, leadership, customer service, and relationship management has given him a dynamic and unique ability to connect and develop strong connections with students.

Mr. Shehan-Nichols serves on various committees at the College of Coastal Georgia, including the Honors Program Advisory Council, Presidential Commission on Diversity and Inclusion, and staff search committees. He also serves as co-advisor for the Health Informatics Association.

Education
Enrolled MS Psychology, University of West Alabama
MBA Marketing, Columbia Southern University
Ed.D. Ed Administration, Georgia Southern University
MS Management, Northern Arizona University
M.Ed. Ed Leadership, Georgia Southern University
BBA Management, Georgia Southern College

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Marketing, Management, Consumer/Organization Behavior

Larry D. Thompson serves as Counsel to the Atlanta law firm of Finch McCranie, LLP. Mr. Thompson retired in December 2014 as Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for PepsiCo, Inc. Mr. Thompson assumed this position with PepsiCo in July 2012, with responsibility for the company’s worldwide legal function, as well as its government affairs and public policy organizations. He also oversaw the company’s global compliance function and served as President of the PepsiCo Foundation.

Mr. Thompson previously served as PepsiCo’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary from 2004 to 2011. He served as a Senior Fellow with The Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., and his government career includes serving in the U.S. Department of Justice as the former U.S. Deputy Attorney General under George W. Bush (2001-2003). In 2002, Attorney General John Ashcroft named Mr. Thompson to lead the National Security Coordination Council. Also, in 2002, President Bush named Mr. Thompson to head the Corporate Fraud Task Force. Mr. Thompson led the establishment of the Department of Justice’s Attorney Outreach Program which resulted in the recruitment of attorneys from a wide range of ethnic, economic, geographic, and racial backgrounds.

Previously, Mr. Thompson was a partner in the Atlanta, Georgia law firm of King & Spalding. From 1982-1986, Mr. Thompson served as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. In that role, he directed the Southern Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and served on the Attorney General’s Economic Crime Council. In July 1995, Mr. Thompson was appointed Independent Counsel for the Department of Housing and Urban Development Investigation by the Special Panel of U.S. Circuit Court Judges appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court. In April 2000, Mr. Thompson was selected by Congress to chair the Judicial Review Commission on Foreign Asset Control. Mr. Thompson joined the Atlanta, Georgia law firm of Finch McCranie, LLP as Counsel in July 2015.

Committee of the Graham Holdings Company (formerly The Washington Post Company), and currently serves on the Board of Franklin Templeton Mutual Series Funds and the George W. Bush Foundation Board. He is an elected Fellow of the American Board of Governance Counsel, and the American Board of Criminal Lawyers and has served as a Trustee on the Chautauqua Institute Board since 2014. Mr. Thompson was elected to the Council of the American Law Institute and serves on the Georgia Historical Society Board of Curators. Mr. Thompson is an elected member of the American College of Governance Counsel. He is the recipient of the Edmund Jennings Randolph Award for outstanding contributions to the accomplishment of the Department of Justice’s mission, Outstanding Litigator Award by the Federal Bar Association, and the A.T. Walden Award for outstanding accomplishments to the legal profession by the Gate City Bar Association, Atlanta, Georgia. In 2017, Mr. Thompson was honored with the first-ever William T. Coleman, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award by the African-American Managing Partners Network. Mr. Thompson was elected as a Trustee to the University of Georgia Foundation in June 2016. Mr. Thompson has served on the University of Georgia School of Law’s faculty as the holder of the John A. Sibley Chair of Corporate and Business Law. In 2016, Mr. Thompson was named Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ethics Research Center (ERC), the research arm of the Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI). In 2014, Ethisphere magazine recognized Mr. Thompson by noting that as “the outgoing General Counsel of one of the world’s most well-recognized corporations [Thompson] has set the bar high for GC’s everywhere. [His] background in both public and private sectors earned him the trust and respect of his peers worldwide as he demonstrated how ethics and integrity are essential components of business success.”

In 2017, Mr. Thompson was appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice as the Independent Corporate Compliance Monitor and Auditor for Volkswagen AG.

Larry holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Culver-Stockton College, a Master’s degree from Michigan State University and a Law degree from the University of Michigan, an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Pace University in New York, and an Honorary Doctorate from St. Louis University. Larry’s first book, Quiet Counsel, was released in November 2024.

Education
BA in Political Studies, Gordon College, Wenham, MA
MMC in Mass Communications/Public Relations, University of Georgia

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
As a Professor of Practice in Marketing and Communications, I enjoy applying “real world” experience from my 25 years in the private sector to my classes. My interests include consumer product marketing, sports marketing, and popular culture.

Ms. Atwood has served as a full-time faculty member researching, developing, and teaching courses in Criminal Justice since 2014.

Prior to joining the faculty at the College of Coastal Georgia, Ms. Atwood completed a distinguished 30-year career retiring as an Assistant Director (AD) with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC).As a career member of the Senior Executive Service, Ms. Atwood provided executive leadership and oversight for both training and administrative functions at the FLETC, including all training and training support functions across the FLETC’s four domestic locations in Glynco, GA; Charleston, SC; Artesia, NM; and Cheltenham, MD; training delivered at the International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEAs) around the world; and state, local, tribal, and territorial training delivered across the United States. Ms. Atwood led training across the spectrum of law enforcement training areas including: Behavioral Science, Counter-Terrorism, Leadership, Legal, Firearms, Drivers, Maritime, Investigative Operations, Enforcement Techniques, Physical Techniques, Financial Fraud, and Instructional Development. She also led efforts to ensure coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement entities to develop and deliver programs to effectively prepare law enforcement officers and agents in areas such as Active Shooter and Cyber training programs across the United States.

While serving as the FLETC’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Ms. Atwood provided executive leadership and oversight for multiple complex areas including: human resources (including employee and labor relations), facilities management (including design and construction), procurement, property management, and the Critical Incident Stress Management program.

Ms. Atwood’s law enforcement and teaching experience span 31 years and include serving as a Special Agent in the Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Agriculture; and Senior Special Agent, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. General Services Administration.She conducted investigations resulting in the successful prosecution of criminal and civil matters across the eight southeastern states and the District of Columbia, including program fraud, bribery of government officials, food stamp trafficking and serious allegations of employee misconduct.

Ms. Atwood graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Police Administration from Eastern Kentucky University’s College of Law Enforcement, and earned her Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University’s College of Public and Urban Affairs. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, VA and the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC.

Education

LL.M. (General Studies-Constitutional, Criminal, and International Law), Georgia State University School of Law (Summa Cum Laude)
J.D. Law, John Marshall School of Law (Cum Laude)
M.A. International Relations (focusing on Low Intensity Conflict and Terrorism), Webster University
B.S. Criminal Justice, Georgia State University

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
My teaching portfolio encompasses a full range of undergraduate courses in criminal justice and public administration, delivered through diverse modalities including in-person, hybrid, and distance learning formats. Courses taught include Introduction to Criminal Law, Constitutional Law for Criminal Justice, Courts and Criminal Procedure, and specialized topics such as Organized Crime, and Ethics in Criminal Justice. These offerings reflect a commitment to bridging theoretical foundations with practical applications drawn from extensive experience in law enforcement, legal practice, and public service. My research interests center on Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, International Law, and Criminal Procedure, with particular emphasis on the intersection of legal doctrine, enforcement policy, and governance. Scholarly activities include presentations and publications addressing judicial interpretation, free speech, civil discourse, and counterterrorism policy. Selected works and/or presentations include Judicial Interpretation as Viewed Through District of Columbia v. Heller, The Erosion of Free Speech in Western Europe, Canada, and the United States, and From Law Enforcement to Armed Conflict: The Legal Transformation of U.S. Counter-narcotics Policy. These contributions underscore an ongoing commitment to advancing discourse on constitutional governance, ethics, and the evolving challenges of law enforcement in a global context.

Education
Ph.D. in Economics, Georgia State University
M.A. in Economics, DePaul University
B.A. in Economics, University of Illinois

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
My primary teaching and research interests are the history of the capitalism vs. socialism debate, American business history and U.S. macroeconomic history. Most of my published research, however, are reports I’ve written as Director of the Reg Murphy Center at the College of Coastal Georgia, as well as “From the Murphy Center” newspaper columns in The Brunswick News.

Education
Doctor of Science in Information Systems & Communications (D.Sc.)

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Dr. St. Clair’s teaching interests focus on cybersecurity, digital literacy, and information technology, with an emphasis on practical applications and workforce readiness. He is passionate about integrating hands-on learning experiences, such as competitions and real-world projects, to prepare students for careers in the evolving tech landscape. His research interests include cybersecurity education, diversity and inclusion in technology fields, and strategies for enhancing digital resilience in underserved communities. Recent scholarly activities including serving as a workshop speaker at the 2nd Annual Digital Literacy Block Party (Charlotte, NC, Sept. 2025), and contributing to student success in the National Cyber League Spring 2025 competition, where all six CCGA teams ranked in the top 10% nationally. Additionally, Dr. St. Clair has supported research on representation of Black cybersecurity professionals, aligning with his long-standing commitment to equity in tech.

Education
Ph.D. in Economics, Georgia State University
Master of Public Administration, Georgia State University
B.S. in Discrete Mathematics, Georgia Institute of Technology
Master’s Certificate in Data Analytics, Georgia College and State University

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Dr. Trussell studies the economic impacts of childhood trauma and ways to mitigate those impacts. As an associate of the Reg Murphy Center for Economic and Policy Studies, she produces scholarly op-eds for The Brunswick News on an assortment of topics of interest to readers.

Most recent peer-reviewed publication:

Trussell, M.R. & Farley, H. (2003). Economic impact of CarePortal donations in Glynn County, Georgia. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 18(5), 1074-1083. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548732.2023.2299490

Education
Ph.D. in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University
MAcc Masters of Accounting, Georgia Southern University
M.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Eastern Michigan University
B.S. in Hotel and Foodservice Management, South Dakota State University

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Teaching interests include the strategic and operational dimensions of hospitality, with emphasis on event management, eco-tourism, accounting, foodservice operations, and technology integration. Research interests focus on the economic and cultural impacts of popular culture tourism, particularly how media, music, and film shape destination development and influence visitor behavior.

Education
Post-Doctorate in Marketing & Management, University of Florida
Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University
Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Valdosta State University

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Teaching Interests: Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Marketing and Management

Research Interests: Film induced tourism, sustainable tourism

Education
Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration, Oklahoma State University
J.D. in Law, Georgia State University
M.A. in Tourism Administration, The George Washington University
B.S. in Business Administration, Georgetown University

Teaching and Research Interests/Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
My research interests are in the areas of legal issues and safety and security as they relate to the hospitality and tourism industries, and in particular as they relate to conventions, meetings, and events.

Recent publications:

Book chapters:

Warner, T. (2024). Legal issues in meetings and events, In Fenich, G. & Malek, K. (Eds.) Meetings, expositions, events, and conventions: An introduction to the industry (6th ed.). [Revision] Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Hilliard, T.W. (2019). Contracts and risk management. In National Association of Catering Executives Certified Professional Catering Executive (CPCE) reference guide, version 2. [Revision] Columbia, MD: National Association of Catering Executives.

Hilliard, T.W. (2019). Legal issues in meetings and events. In Fenich, G. (Ed.) Meetings, expositions, events, and conventions: An introduction to the industry (5th ed.). [Revision] Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Articles:

Hilliard, T. (2019, February 3). An essential contract checklist for meeting planners. MeetingsToday. bit.ly/3MoX1lx

Podcasts:

Warner, T. (2020, July 7). The pandemic legal environment for the events industry. The Business of Meetings.

Rozenberg, E., Walling, S., & Warner, T. (2020, April 7). Independent business owners: You are not alone. Event Business Formula.

Recent Invited Presentations:

Blood, J. & Warner, T. (2025, October). Did you see that coming? Legal issues for meetings. Presented at IMEX America, Las Vegas, NV.

Warner, T. (2025, July). Ask the association attorney: Everything you want to know about event contracts and more. Presented at Florida Society of Association Executives, West Palm Beach, FL.

Warner, T. (2025, June). The law, liability, and current issues. Presented at Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress, St. Louis, MO.

Warner, T. (2025, June). RFPs and contracts in the meetings industry. [Moderator]. Presented at Meeting Professionals International North Florida Chapter, Jacksonville, FL.

Warner, T. (2025, May). Addressing those uh-oh situations in your contracts. Presented at Society of Government Meeting Professionals National Education Conference, St. Louis, MO.

Warner, T. (2025, March). Contract negotiation strategies for 2025. Presented at SmartMeetings magazine Knowledge Exchange, webinar [online].

Blood, J. & Warner, T. (2024, October). Contracts: Seeing through the crystal ball. Presented at IMEX America, Las Vegas, NV.

Warner, T. (2024, June). All things force majeure—What you need to know. Presented at Society of Government Meeting Professionals, webinar [online].

Warner, T. (2024, March). Uh-oh scenarios. Presented at Meeting Professionals International Wisconsin Chapter, Madison, WI.

Warner, T. (2024, January). What goes up—Inflation, meetings, and contracts. Presented at Southwest Showcase, Austin, TX.

Warner, T. (2023, December). All things force majeure—What you need to know. Presented at International Association of Exhibitions and Events Expo! Expo! Dallas, TX.

Blood, J. & Warner, T. (2023, October). Contracts: Designing for shared success. Presented at IMEX America, Las Vegas, NV.

Warner, T. (2023, July). Contracts: New, novel, and nagging issues. Presented at Professional Convention Management Association Southeast Chapter, Orlando, FL.

Warner, T. (2023, June). What goes up—Contracts and inflation. Presented at Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress, Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Warner, T. (2023, May). Contracts: Retooling for today’s market. Presented at Meeting Professionals International Georgia Chapter, Atlanta, GA.

Warner, T. (2023, January). Understanding difficult contracts—Parts I & II. Presented at Religious Conference Managers Association Annual Conference, Chattanooga, TN.

Warner, T. (2022, October). Contract negotiations for these unruly times. Presented at IMEX America, Las Vegas, NV.

Bettlach, J., Johnson, A., Rowbotham, B., Warner, T. (2022, October). Contract experiences that make you go…hmmmm?! Presented at IMEX America, Las Vegas, NV.

Warner, T. (2022, June). What’s law got to do with it? Presented at Georgia Society of Association Executives, Jekyll Island, GA.

Warner, T. (2022, June). The care and feeding of introverts at your meeting. Presented at Georgia Society of Association Executives, Jekyll Island, GA.

Hardigree, C. & Warner, T. (2022, March). Contracts post-pandemic: Lessons learned. Presented at Meetings Industry Council of Colorado, Denver, CO.

Hardigree, C. & Warner, T. (2021, September). Something old, something new, something legal. Presented at Rocky Mountain Chapter Meeting Professionals International, Denver, CO.

Bagnall, K. & Warner, T. (2021, June). The future of meetings contracts & liability…and the future is now. Presented at Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress, Las Vegas, NV.

Pelletier, S. and Warner, T. (2021, June). Your inner phoenix: Reinventing yourself through adversity, acceptance, & adventure. Presented at Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress, Las Vegas, NV.

Allgauer, M., Murakami, G., & Warner, T. (2021, June). Contracts & negotiations in the new normal—a discussion from all perspectives. Presented at Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress, Las Vegas, NV.