The Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association has announced its leadership for the 2019-2021 biennium. The TBSAA is led by the Executive Council (EC), which is made up six members who are elected nationally at-large by the Association membership. EC members serve four-year terms which are staggered so that three members are elected every two years in conjunction with the National Convention. The Executive Council is currently comprised of David Alexander, Chris Foster, and Tyra Yiare, who were elected in 2017 and serve through July 2021, and Marissa Archuleta, Dr. Thea Murphy, and Jessica Smith, who will serve through July 2023.
Once the biennium begins, the Executive Council meets to elect a Chair and Vice-Chair for the organization. Additionally, the members of the EC will taken on areas of responsibility, including membership, programming, Local Alumni Association relations, finance, and communications.
Chairperson of the TBSAA
Tau
Chris Foster, a Life member of the Tau chapter at the University of Houston, will be the Chairperson of the TBSAA for 2019-21. Chris joined Tau Beta Sigma in the spring of 1998. He served the Tau chapter in several roles, including President, and was the colony educator for the Beta Omicron colony in 2002. He also served the Southwest District as Secretary-Treasurer and two terms as SWD President, being the first male member of the Sorority to do so. In 2004, Chris was the recipient of the Baton Award for outstanding student leadership. He is also an honorary member of the Southwest District and the Beta Sigma chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi.
Professionally, Chris is the Curriculum Director for the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He earned his bachelor’s degree with a double major in music and communications from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Sam Houston State University. Chris is also a Past President of the Spirit of Houston Alumni Association, and of the Houston Pride Band, where he serves as Marching Band Director and Music Librarian. A lifelong Houstonian, Chris enjoys travel, cooking, college football, watching Star Trek, and miniature golf.
Vice Chair of the TBSAA
The Vice Chair of the TBSAA for 2019-21 will be David Alexander. David is a Life member of the Gamma Omega chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at the University of Pittsburgh. He was initiated into the chapter in the spring of 1998. During his time at Pitt, he held several chapter offices including Parliamentarian, Corresponding Secretary, and President. He also served as the Northeast District President from 2001-2002, being one of the first men in the sorority elected to this position. As a member of the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band, David was a trumpet player, a field conductor, and served two years as the Assistant Drum Major. On March 10, 2002, David was extended Honorary Membership into the Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at West Virginia University.
David currently lives in Cleveland, Ohio and works for Progressive Insurance where he is responsible for developing the selling skills and technical knowledge of new hires in the corporate headquarters. He hold a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management.
Executive Council Members
Additionally, the roles for each member of the Executive Council for 2019-2021 have been announced:
- David Alexander will fill the role of LAA Relations Director. He can be reached at dlance479@tbsigma.org
- Marissa Archuleta will fill the role of Programs Director. She can be reached at archuleta2417@tbsigma.org.
- Thea Murphy will fill the role of Membership Director. She can be reached at thea_murphy@tbsigma.org.
- Jessica Smith will fill the role of Communications Director. She can be reached at jsmith254@tbsigma.org.
- Tyra Yiare will fill the role of Finance Director. She can be reached at tyiare@tbsigma.org.
General questions for the TBSAA can be submitted to tbsaa@tbsigma.org.