Comas Lamar Haynes, Ph.D.
Haynes is a faculty member of the Georgia Tech Research Institute and Joint Faculty Appointee at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His research includes modeling steady state and transient behavior of advanced energy systems, inclusive of their thermal management, and the characterization and optimization of novel cycles. Haynes has advised graduate and undergraduate research assistants and has received multi-agency funding for energy systems analysis and development. Sponsor examples include the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy and NASA. Haynes also develops fuel cells and alternative energy systems curricula for public and college courses and experimental laboratories. He received a bachelor’s degree from FAMU and a master’s and doctorate degree from Georgia Tech, all in mechanical engineering. He and his wife, Kimberly Haynes (also a mechanical engineering alumna of FAMU and Georgia Tech), have two daughters (Charis and Keliy) and two sons (Kore and Christian).
Erica Hicks
Hicks is the CEO & Chief Strategist of PR VEIN. In this capacity she oversees marketing and communications strategies for clients in the fashion, beauty, entertainment, technology and non-profit sectors. Her most notable clients have included Verizon, Bentley Motors, LaQuan Smith and Cosign Mobile App. The public relations specialist and former Vogue intern has enjoyed much professional success and credits her education at FAMU as the starting point for all of her success. While attending FAMU, Hicks was a member of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is a 2007 theater performance and broadcast journalism graduate of FAMU.
Marcos Purty
Purty’s 22 years of hard work for General Motors has paid off. Purty has been named Lansing Delta Township Assembly’s new plant manager and will begin work in July 2016. The location is General Motors’ newest plant in North America and manufactures Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and the Buick Enclave. Purty has worked as managing director of General Motors Thailand and Chevrolet Sales. He served as president of operations in Indonesia at General Motors until September 1, 2013. He has also worked in Pontiac, Mich., Canada, Fort Wayne, Ind., Indonesia and Australia. Purty graduated from FAMU with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1994. He also received an executive leadership certification from Cornell University.