Board of Directors | F A M Incorporat

Board of Directors/Officers

Founder/CEO - Dr. Sharon Hill Cranford, Cedar Hill, TX

Sharon Hill Cranford holds a Bachelors degree in French and Vocal Music Performance, a Masters in Guidance and Counseling and a PhD in Adult Education, Family Counseling concentration. Recognizing humankind’s connectivity, Dr. Cranford’s life’s goals include educating people about humankind’s familial connectivity. A retired Diversity professor (Wichita State University and Hesston College), Dr. Cranford coauthored a book, Kinship Concealed: Amish-Mennonite- African-American Family Connections, and wrote a screenplay, Charley Mast, chronicling her discovery of her Amish roots and the life of her extraordinary great great grandfather. Continuously concerned about the divided state of American communities, Dr. Cranford also serves her community through her memberships in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated, The League of Women Voters and African-Americans Renewing Interest in Spirituals Ensemble, Inc. (ARISE).

President - Thomas Cole, III Atlanta, GA

Thomas Cole, III is a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of structuring residential and commercial real estate, infrastructure and energy projects. Combining his formal education, business and entrepreneurial experience, Thomas has become an adept at increasing revenue, reducing expenses and improving overall returns of various investment assets. His primary focus has been on evaluation, risk mitigation and increasing profitability of under performing assets in secondary and tertiary markets. He has structured a number of cross border equity transactions, particularly in specialty areas as Cross Border Structured Finance, Private Banking, Debt Syndication and Project Finance.

Secretary - Norris Glick is from Eureka, IL. He attended Hesston Academy and Hesston College in Hesston, KS from 1961-64. He also attended Goshen College in Goshen, IN from 1964-67, receiving a BA in Natural Science. Norris then went on to the University of Illinois to receive his Medical Degree from 1967-1971.He did his residency at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, Case Western Reserve Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital from 1971-75. Norris was employed at the Freeport Clinic in Freeport, IL from 1975-1987. He was also employed at Central Wisconsin Center in Madison, WI from 1987-2016.In retirement, Norris enjoys teaching trainees at CWC. He has done research regarding molecular and clinical aspects of LOX (lysyl oxidase) in aortic dissection in humans and the potential benefits of S-adenosylmethionine in Lesch Nyhan disease. Norris has been married to Sandra (Gerig) Glick for over 52 years and has 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

Secretary- Corey Cranford, Cedar Hill, TX

Cranford and Sons Enterprises, LLC (CASE) Providing a broad base of services including claims adjustment, real estate and transport, our company is the one to call "Just in CASE." Mr. Cranford is concerned about the increasing divisiveness in the nation, is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., a service organization. He is also the ggg grandson of Charley Mast.

Treasurer/Web Coordinator - Charlton Cranford, Fate, TX

has a Bachelors degree in Computer Science, with over 16 years experience
working in the Information Technology field. He is fluent in several data systems and software. He enjoys exploring the relationships between numbers and translating that data into stories. Charlton has also coached select basketball in the Dallas Texas area for over 11 years. He is passionate about his community and shaping young men. He serves them through disciplined athletes. Charlton has been married for over 18 years, and has four sons.

Consultant - Judge Brenda Cole, Atlanta, GA

Judge Brenda H. Cole was appointed as Judge of the State Court of Fulton
County by Governor Zell Miller and served for over 14 years. After her retirement in December of 2012, she was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal as a Senior Judge. Judge Cole served as Deputy Attorney General at the Georgia State Law Department where she worked for 15 years. After retirement, she served as a neutral at JAMS, an international mediation and arbitration firm. She has received many honors during her legal career for her service to the community and the legal profession. She is a graduate of Spelman College, Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University) and Emory University School of Law.

Dwight Roth (member emeritus), Wichita, KS

A retired professor in Social Sciences from Hesston College, Hesston, Kansas, Dwight Roth is a member emeritus on the FAM Board of directors. As coauthor of the book, Kinship Concealed: Amish-Mennonite-African-American Family Connections, he has been a staunch supporter and promoter of FAM, Inc. since its inception. A beloved member of the Mast family, Dwight was pivotal in helping to bridge the chasm between the White and Black Masts and uncovering a 250 year old family secret. With degrees from Temple University and certifications in Parkinson’s Empowerment training, Mr. Roth continues to advance programs and services devoted to diversity, equity and inclusion for all people.

Sam Woods-Corr received his Master of Fine Arts Degree in Screenwriting from Stephen’s College (’21). Sam has Assistant Directed films like The Hail Mary, as well as music videos for bands such as The Rival Sons. Sam currently works as a Producer for Uplifted Visuals, a production company that is dedicated to creating and communicating the stories of others to uplift communities.

Karl Biggers was born and raised in Center, deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas, Karl is a 5th generation Texan. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Southern Methodist University in 1985 and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin in 1989. Karl has enjoyed over 35 years in the public finance investment banking industry, with such firms as M.R. Beal & Company, Duncan-Williams, George K. Baum & Company, and Regions Bank. He currently serves as Managing Director and Head of Texas for Bancroft Capital. Karl has previously served on the Board of Governors of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, City of Dallas Cultural Affairs Commission and as Chairman of the Board of Help Is Possible, Inc. He currently serves as President of the McWilliams-Rather Cemetery Association.

Sheila Kinnard received an undergraduate degree from Howard University and Advanced Studies at Friends and Wichita State Universities, Sheila is a retired Drama teacher from Wichita, Kansas Public Schools. A veteran writer and performer on Midwest stages, Sheila is a strong community activist, serving on boards with the Wichita Art Museum, Music Theatre of Wichita, African Americans Renewing Interest in Spirituals Ensemble (ARISE), The Links, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Kelley Cole Graham is the Senior Director of Content, Creative & Brand at the Arthritis Foundation. During her 25+ year career, Kelley has held leadership positions at ad agencies, communications firms, and non-profits. Kelley has a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree from Georgia State University. Based in Atlanta, she is an active member of The Links, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is married with two daughters.

Rob Simon, a deeply experienced Kansas educator, is an experienced trainer/consultant and speaker/performer who has worked with school systems and various other agencies from coast to coast. Through his own POSITIVE RHYTHM PRODUCTIONS, he produces and performs topical workshops, classroom, assembly, keynote and other creative presentations for many different audiences. His tools include persuasive speech, original songs, characterizations, essays, poetry, and published works – including a book promoting creative theater projects called Imitation of Life. Rob is also known for his ten-plus years of weekly radio commentary on Wichita's National Public Radio affiliate, KMUW FM 89.1, for which there is now a first published collection of writings in a book called Inciting Reflection.