At Alpha Kappa Psi, the staff are the backbone that keeps the fraternity moving forward on a daily basis. AKPsi believes that each 5-year milestone in an employee’s career is the perfect occasion to stop and reflect on their contributions and to say thank you. This year, Brian Parker, Cathy Cole, Jennifer Adamany and Melinda Rosenthall will reach significant milestone years on staff.
Brian Parker: June 2, 1997
Celebrating 20 Years on Staff
Brian began volunteering as a district director, the equivalent of now chapter advisor, for Tri State University. The fraternity was advertising a job as an expansion coordinator, a few weeks later, he received a call to come to Indianapolis for an interview, even though he never officially applied. Brian had met former CEO, Gary Epperson as a student, who invited him down to discuss the position and assured him that he would be a great fit for the job. After a while as expansion coordinator, he transitioned to manger of member services, senior director of finance & expansion and managing director of operations, the role he currently occupies. “The fraternity is much different today than it was 20 years ago,” said Parker. “We had 161 chapters, and initiated approximately 3900 members a year. What is currently known as PBLI was in its first year, known as Success Institute and had attendance of 500. We had a staff of 8. Our operating budget was $700,000. Compare that to today, 228 student chapters, initiating in excess of 7000 members a year, a staff of 19, a building triple the size of the previous, PBLI attendance in excess of 3,000 and an operating budget of $3.7 million. We also have several new programs and have launched an aggressive strategic plan to maximize our impact on the student experience.” From his 20 years of experience on staff, he made many great memories that it was hard to pick one. His favorite part, and “what keeps my passion burning”, is the people. He said, “I’ve met so many wonderful students, alumni and volunteers when traveling to chapters, meetings and events, as well as in the course of my daily work, many of which have become lifelong friends. I believe what we do on a daily basis has a lasting impact on our members, whether it be through their circle of friends, professional development or career aspirations and success.”
Cathy Cole: February 11, 2002
Celebrating 15 Years on Staff
Cathy was placed with Alpha Kappa Psi through an agency back in 2002. Her first role was the same as she has now, working as an assistant to Brian Parker, with the addition of invoicing, applying payments, and more financial duties. Over the years, she has seen the fraternity grow tremendously. “From my view point being of the old school ways, I cannot believe that I have been able to learn along with everyone else of my generation how to go with all of the modern era of electronics as well as new procedures and processes that have come along especially in the last two years but I’m still here so I must be doing something right.” One of her fondest memories is that “each employee takes a vested interest in their work friend. We care, love and want only the best for each other. Who could ask for more from an employer.”
Jennifer Adamany: June 18, 2007
Celebrating 10 Years on Staff
During college, Jennifer’s parents encouraged her to study business, something she had no interest in pursuing. It wasn’t until she came across AKPsi that she thought it would be worthwhile to expose herself to the business arena. “I quickly realized how business is intertwined through every profession and is far from my original ill-conceived notions.” As a result, she added business as a second minor. When she learned the fraternity was hiring an expansion coordinator, Jennifer applied and was offered the position. “Considering how I originally felt about business,” she said, “I find it ironic that I ended up working for a business organization.” Since being hired as an expansion coordinator, Jennifer has served as the director of chapter services and expansion before taking on her current role as the director of communication. “The fraternity has grown a lot since I’ve started working at the Heritage Center, including welcoming many new collegiate and alumni chapters. It was particularly exciting to see the fraternity enter new territory after volunteers and I worked together in establishing a collegiate chapter in Hong Kong. AKPsi has undergone some substantial changes such as the addition educational programs, improving its web presence and even shifting the strategic focus toward enhancing the overall member experience.” Jennifer says that her fondest memories come from her time as an expansion coordinator. “It essentially was a year-long road trip where I travelled coast to coast. From Vancouver, BC to Washington, D.C. – I took in North America’s majestic landscapes and cultivated relationships with many individuals. The experience also opened my eyes to vastness of the fraternity and its purpose. I better understood how the fraternity is so much greater than what you experience as a collegiate.”
Melinda Rosenthall: April 17, 2007
Celebrating 10 Years on Staff
Melinda first found AKPsi while looking for a part-time position in the Fishers, IN newspaper. She began her first role working with event registrations and now Managing Director of Student Services, Jessica Seitz. After this role, she moved into expansion, calling on universities for expansion approvals and risk management areas working with Jennifer Adamany and Brian Parker. She is now the Director of Student Services and works with student chapters. “Since coming on staff, the fraternity has grown with a new position in my area,” said Rosenthall. “The chapter educational resource coordinator positions have grown and we offer even more service to the chapters.” She notes that with under 20 people on staff, everyone pitches in from cleaning old files, setting up meetings and “it seems more like out ‘work family’, just like you have your family at home.”
