Crummer Graduate School Board of Overseers Elects Three New Members

The Crummer Graduate School of Business Board of Overseers recently elected three new members: Joseph R. Cleveland, chief information officer, Lockheed Martin Corporation; Rex V. McPherson II, president and director, R.D. Keene Trust; and Harold J. (Butch) von Weller, president and chief executive officer, Weller Pool Constructors.

“Our newest board members bring a wealth of leadership experience to the board,” said Dr. Craig McAllaster, dean of the Crummer School. “We are honored that they will contribute their expertise and guidance in this time of increasing change in the business world.”

The Crummer Board of Overseers, comprised of local and international senior corporate executives, advises the dean of the school and serves as ambassadors for the Rollins MBA program. Current board members are: Jean-Marc Allard, Charels E. Bailes, III, Peter C. Barr, Sr., Edmund T. Baxa, John M. Bell, Dr. Peter L. Chamberlain, Bruce Douglas, Stephen P. Elker, Raymond L. Gellein, Jr., Gideon Haymaker, Steven W. High, The Hon. Glenda E. Hood, Thomas A. Jones, J. Darrell Kelley, John S. Lord, Dr. G. Brock Magruder, Sr., Clarence Otis, Jr., John D. Race, John N. Rigsby, James M. Seneff, Jr., Charles P. Steinmetz, and Edmund C. Timberlake, Jr.

As chief information officer for the Lockheed Martin Corporation and president of Enterprise Information Management Systems (EIS), Joseph Cleveland is responsible for formulating the corporation’s information technology vision and strategy. Cleveland is responsible for consolidating IT resources, implementing e-commerce initiatives, and leveraging economies of sale. Prior to the merger of Lockheed and Martin Marietta, Cleveland was vice president and general manager of internal information systems for Martin Marietta Corporation.

Born in Shelbyville, Tenn., Cleveland received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Tennessee State University and has completed extensive technical, business, and leadership development training throughout his career.

Rex McPherson began work for the R.D. Keene Trust upon graduation from Vanderbilt University in 1974 and was elected president in 1981. He concentrates his efforts in citrus operations, land utilization, legal affairs, investment strategy, and strategic planning for the Trust. McPherson served as Florida Citrus Commissioner from 1993-2001 and president of the Winter Garden Citrus Products Cooperative from 1997-2001. He holds an MBA from Rollins College.

Active in the community, McPherson is a member of the Orlando Regional Healthcare Center board. He has been a past member of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center board of directors and the Vanderbilt Divinity School board of advisors.

Harold von Weller has served as president and chief executive officer of Weller Pool Constructors, Inc., in Apopka, Fla., since 1979. Weller Pool Constructors has been designing and constructing commercial aquatic facilities since 1974. Completed projects include the fountain at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre and pools at the Isleworth Country Club and Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. von Weller earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of Florida and served in the U.S. Army.

Active in promoting athletic competition, von Weller has served as the past chairman of the Florida Citrus Sports Association, past president and founding member of the Downtown Athletic Club, and currently serves as vice chairman of the Orlando Area Sports Commission. He is a member of the American Diabetes Research Foundation national board of directors, the Gator Boosters board of directors, and University of Florida president council.