Kevin Ayres, ’99

Kevin Ayres serves as an instructor for the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. Ayres received his Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 1987, and his Master of Science in Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management from the University of South Carolina in 1999. 

Kevin owns and serves as president for State Street Snacks. State Street Snacks is a manufacturer of gourmet popcorns sold at The Masters, Wal-Mart, Cracker Barrel and Rite-Aid stores throughout the country.

Cliff Arthur, ’86

Cliff Arthur received his Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration in 1986 from the University of South Carolina. For more than 23 years, Arthur was with Bloomin Brands: first as a managing partner in Charleston and Wilmington for 10 years and later for more than 13 years as a joint venture partner developing Bonefish Grill restaurants throughout North and South Carolina. Arthur was integral to the launch of the College of HRSM Alumni Society, having been one of two board members who made the first gifts to the Alumni Society Fund. In 2006 he was the recipient of the HRTM Outstanding Alumni Award. Arthur has served on the College of HRSM Alumni Board for more than 10 years.

Currently a joint venture operating partner with Metro Diner, Arthur brings diner concepts to the Carolina's. He will opening his fifth location of Metro Diner soon in Huntersville, N.C. Metro Diner currently operates in Raleigh, Fayetteville, Matthews and Pineville, N.C. 

Arthur's achievements also  include becoming general manager of a Steak and Ale Restaurant at age 22. 

He has been married since 1986 to Rosemary, a 1985 Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies graduate. They have two daughters, Mary Ashley, 20, and Megan Ann, 16. Cliff and his wife reside in Waxhaw, N.C. 

Joy Robins Bryant, ‘90, Chair-elect   

Joy Robins Bryant received her Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management in 1990. Her career progression reflects 25+ years of hotel sales experience as a dedicated and committed hospitality professional who is a well-respected member of the hospitality community.

Bryant is presently the director of sales at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbia, S.C., and has served in this capacity since January 2013. She is responsible for implementing strategic plans and goals to meet and exceed total hotel budgeted revenues and strategies to promote client loyalty.

Bryant strives to provide superior customer service to all hotel guests, while directing the sales and marketing efforts for a team of seven. She encourages her team in their professional growth and commitment to the core values of Embassy Suites. Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Bryant now calls Columbia her home. She enjoyed her time at UofSC so much she moved back to Columbia after graduation. 

Tom DeLozier, ’99

Tom DeLozier is the general manager of Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, home of the 2017 PGA Championship, the 2021 President's Cup, and the annual Wells Fargo Championship. He received his Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration and Management from the University of South Carolina in 1999. He served as assistant general manager at Charlotte Country Club from 2000-2008 before moving to his current role at Quail Hollow. 

DeLozier works closely with Cathy Gustafson to make internships and other opportunities available to current UofSC students. He worked for Sodexo and Marriott while still a student at UofSC, and by the time he graduated at the age of 21, had landed a job as a regional manager for Marriott in Atlanta, overseeing a team of more than 20 employees.

Matt Hudson, ’00

Matt Hudson is a 2000 alumnus of the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management's Integrated Information Technology program. Hudson currently serves as owner of Mindlash, a leading website development firm in Columbia, S.C.. He is also the chief creative director at the public relations firm CarterTodd and Associates, Inc., co-founder of the tech company Palmetto Computer Labs, head graphic designer for Columbia Home & Garden magazine and creative director for the Internet startup company Voterheads. For his professional achievements and philanthropic involvements — led by his support of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind and its annual "Wine, Dine and Design” fundraiser — Hudson was named to The State newspaper's coveted "20 Under 40” list in 2011.

Olivia Hyatt, ’11, Chair

Olivia Hyatt graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management. She is the client services manager for Buonasera Media Services, an advertising and media buying agency servicing clients all along the East coast.

Hyatt began her career in marketing and coordination of live events before transitioning her skills over to marketing and advertising. Her passion lies in helping businesses find the balance in utilizing traditional and non-traditional opportunities to achieve their marketing goals.

Hyatt resides in Lexington, S.C., with her husband, Shane, and new baby boy, Ethan.

Tommy Kelaher, ’01

Tommy Kelaher graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Information Technology. After attending UofSC, Tommy went on to earn his MBA from Augusta University.

Kelaher owns Appliance Science, a residential appliance repair company. He loves being an ongoing contributor to the HRSM team and all of its students. 

Kelaher currently resides in Murrells Inlet, S.C., with his wife Kim, a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Pharmacy, and their two children, Kate and Finn. Kelaher is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys boating, camping, woodworking, and watching movies with his kids.

Darron Kirkley, ’07, ’08, ’10

Darron Kirkley is a hospitality and tourism management instructor at Central High School in Pageland, S.C. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Level Education, his Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management, and a Master in Sport and Entertainment Management from the University of South Carolina.

Kirkley has been involved in the hospitality and tourism industry since the age of 18 when he was hired as the director of the Pageland Watermelon Festival. Since that time, he served as the tourism director for Kershaw County and as a high school hospitality teacher in Kershaw, S.C. In addition to his current teaching responsibilities in Pageland, Kirkley is an adjunct instructor in the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at the University of South Carolina and is the tourism coordinator for Chesterfield County where he oversees the county’s tourism marketing and accommodations tax grant program.

Kirkley serves on the board of directors for the Olde English District Tourism Commission and S.C. Festival and Event Association. He was named the South Carolina Hospitality Employee of the year in 2006 by the S.C. Association of Tourism Regions.

 

Caroline Ward Manning, ‘10, Secretary

Caroline Manning received her Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management in 2010. She has worked as clubhouse manager and special events manager at Augusta National Golf Club since 2012. In her role, she oversees the hiring, placement and training of club operations and hospitality Masters Tournament employees, as well as the planning of hospitality for Masters Tournament sponsors, the Latin America Amateur Championship and the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. In addition, she plans Augusta National Golf Club member events. 

Becky Moran, ‘07

Becky Moran received her Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management in 2007. Since 2005, she has served as program manager for the McCutchen House, the student-operated learning lab and restaurant in the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. In that capacity, Moran is responsible for the planning and promotion of McCutchen House events which include luncheons, private meetings, graduation ceremonies, special dinners, parties and receptions, in addition to the restaurant's daily operations. Moran also helps oversee the college's annual alumni homecoming party and silent auction, a fundraiser for the College of HRSM Alumni Society Fund, which provides financial support for student study abroad and conference travel. She and her husband, Jim, have three sons and one daughter between them: Jimmie, Josh, Sean and Carson.

Sean Potter, ’04, ’05, Past Chair

Sean Potter is a graduate from the University of South Carolina where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management in 2004 and his Master of Science in Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management the following year. 

Potter founded Southern Valet in 2005, and has grown the company into various markets throughout South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina with a wide variety of parking and transportation services. Currently, Southern Valet has 132 employees throughout the state and is optimistic of future growth. 

Potter lives in Columbia with his wife, Melissa, their twins, Claire and Thomas, and their dog, Charlie.

Melissa Ramsey ’10

Melissa Ramsey graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management 2010 and moved to the upstate of South Carolina. In 2016, Ramsey received her MBA from Anderson University. Currently, her career has led her into manufacturing where she is the procurement and inventory manager of North America for an international steel manufacturer, Ovako. 

Ramsey and her husband, Rick have three children —  Joseph, Connor and Aubrey. 

Tina Weeks Weaver, ‘97

Tina Weeks Weaver serves as the director of alumni and external relations for the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. Weaver received her Bachelor of Science in Business from Coker College in 1991, and her Master of Arts in Teaching in Business and Marketing Education from UofSC in 1997. She also studied German and business at the Carl Duisburg Gesellschaft in Cologne, Germany. 

Prior to this position, Weaver was an instructor, advisor and internship coordinator in the Department of Integrated Information Technology where she taught business communications and supervision. In 2003, she received the Harry E. Varney Teacher of the Year award and the South Carolina Business Education Association Educator of the Year award.