Prominent Epsilon Epsilon Alumni
The Epsilon Epsilon Chapter has many graduates who are CEOs, Business Leaders, Top Philanthropists, O-State Hall of Famers and more. See sample list below of OSU Sigma Nu alumni who are also celebrated civic leaders, business visionaries, over achievers and global influencers.
Bob Fenimore
EE 0474
Brother Bob Fenimore was a halfback for the Oklahoma A&M football team from 1943-1946. Known as the "Blond-Bomber" He was OSU's first two-time All-American and partly responsible for OSU's only unbeaten season that occurred in 1945. As a college player, Brother Fenimore finished third in the Heisman voting and led the nation in rushing with 142 carries with 1,048 yards in 1945. He broke numerous school records including the most interceptions which he still holds today at 18. In 1947, he was the first overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. In 1972, Brother Fenimore was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and in 2007 he was inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame.
Neill Ford Armstrong
EE 0475
Brother Neil Armstrong was a football player for Oklahoma A & M before being picked 8th overall in the first round of the NFL Draft in 1947. He was picked by the Philadelphia Eagles where he won two NFL Championships in 1948 and 1949. Brother Armstrong concluded his career as a player in the early 1950s for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. After playing, Brother Armstrong was picked up as an assistant coach for the Houston Oilers in 1962. After serving two years on the Oiler's coaching staff he headed back north as head coach of the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos. He was then hired by the Minnesota Vikings in 1970, and became an integral part of developing the team's dominating defense. After helping the team reach the postseason in all but one of the next eight years, he was hired as head coach of the Chicago Bears on February 16, 1978. He held the position for four years before beginning the final leg of his professional coaching career as an assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys.
Jim Click, Jr.
EE0975
Brother Jim Click, Jr, initiated in 1963, graduated from Oklahoma State in 1966 following completion of his football career where he earned Academic All-American honors and made the Dean’ honor roll every semester. His brother, Joey Click (EE1217), was initiated in 1972 and is a successful musician living in Norman.
Brother Click learned the value of hard work from his father and great uncle and relocated to the Tucson, Arizona area in 1971 upon buying a dealership at age 27; this started his long career of selling cars in southern Arizona and California. Now the Jim Click Automotive Group owns 11 dealerships throughout the area. He is a board member at BBVA Compass Bancshares, funds scholarships and facilities at OSU and the University of Arizona and supports Boys&Girls Club.
In 1982, he was Tucson’s Man of the Year and is a member of the Tucson Conquistadores. In 1985, Jim Click received OSU’s Distinguished Alumni Award, and in 1985 he was honored as one of the University’s most outstanding graduates and inducted into OSU’s Hall of Fame. In 1999, President Bill Clinton presented Brother Click with the President’s Award for his extensive efforts to benefit those with disabilities.
J. Berry Harrison
EE 0818
Mr. J. Berry Harrison is Director of Southwest Bancorp Inc. Southwest Bancorp Inc. is the bank holding company for Stillwater National Bank (now branded as Simmons Bank) and the Bank of Kansas and has reported assets in excess of $4.8 Billion. It's branches can be found throughout the states of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas and it is publicly traded on NASDAQ. On top of managing such a large bank, Brother Harrison enjoyed many other achievements. He retired as an Oklahoma State Senator and was a rancher and farmer in Fairfax, Oklahoma since 1962. Mr. Harrison served as Conservation District Director of Osage County, President of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, and was a member of many other civic groups. J. Berry Harrison made many contributions to Osage County, Sigma Nu, Oklahoma State University, and the state of Oklahoma.
William S. Spears
EE 0882
Brother Bill Spears is the founder Cenergistic, formerly Energy Education, Inc., a Dallas based company that develops and implements energy conservation programs that enable schools to redirect funds toward educational needs. Cenergistic, which started in 1986, has helped public schools and other organizations save more than $1.3 billion. It is recognized as the only people-based energy conservation program of its kind. Brother Spears is also commonly known for the generous endowment to his Alma mater. The endowment given in 2004, was an undisclosed donation to the Business School in which the University recognized him by naming the Spears School of Business in his honor. In 2005, he was inducted into the Spears School of Business Hall of Fame. To add to his more recent accomplishments, Brother Spears contributed $1.5 mil to the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation and challenged all Epsilon Epsilon Alumni to match his pledged donation. As a result of this successful campaign the carriage house in Lexington, VA will be renamed "The Spears Family Epsilon Epsilon Center For Excellence". Also, $500,000 of that nearly three million dollars was given to the Epsilon Epsilon Chapter itself to pay for the most recent renovation. Brother Spears also stays active by serving on boards of numerous civic organizations and financial institutions.
Jerry E. Ryan
EE 0901
Brother Jerry Ryan is the former President and CEO of Fintube Technologies, Inc., a heat transfer technologies company based out of Tulsa. Within a year of graduating from OSU, Brother Ryan developed the first worldwide application of radio frequency electricity to high speed welding of steel fins to steel tubes: greatly reducing the cost of welding. Brother Ryan created Fintube with three other Ep Ep brothers. As President and CEO, the company grew to 525 employees before its sale to Lone Star Steel in 2000. He then served on the Corporate Board of Directors for Lone Star before it was sold to U.S. Steel Corp. Brother Ryan has previously sat on the boards of publicly traded companies AAON and Global Energy, served on the executive boards of the Tulsa Opera and Philbrook Museum, and was named an "Honorary President" at Southern Hills Country Club. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for Emcor Group, a Connecticut based Fortune 500 Company specializing in construction and facilities service.
V. Burns Hargis
EE 0992
Brother Burns Hargis has remained close to the Epsilon Epsilon Chapter since his active membership. Currently, Brother Hargis is serving as Oklahoma State University's 18th President. He is also the first chair for the Oklahoma Creativity Project. Before becoming president, Hargis practiced law in Oklahoma City for 28 years. He served as Vice Chairman of the Bank of Oklahoma, N.A. and is a former president of the Oklahoma County Bar Association, former president of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, as well as, a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Hargis has fulfilled other honors during his career such as vice-chairman of the Oklahoma State Election Board, the Oklahoma Constitutional Revision Commission, and as Chairman of the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services. He also was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of Oklahoma in 1990.
John Groendyke
EE 1020
Since 1965, Brother John Groendyke has dedicated almost his entire professional career to expanding and improving Groendyke Transport, Inc. Based in Enid, Oklahoma, Groendyke Transport, Inc. serves as one of the United States' largest tank truck transportation companies. The company currently operates 34 terminals in 12 states and hauls more than 420,000 loads of acids, lubricants, fuel, chemicals, vegetable oil and flour throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Brother Groendyke currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Groendyke Transport, Inc. and is actively involved in many of their subsidiaries. He was also elected to serve on the board of directors for OG&E Energy Corp. in 2003, which was ranked by Forbes as one of the 400 Best Big Companies. Groendyke was also inducted into the Oklahoma State Hall of Fame this February, the highest honor any alumnus of our alma mater could achieve. Brother Groendyke also serves on the board of directors for the Oklahoma State Fair
James W. Bradley
EE 0086
A former Regent of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Brother James Bradley and his High Council are responsible for returning Sigma Nu Fraternity's National Headquarters back to Lexington, Virginia in 1957. The seven and a half acre plot purchased was a historic step for Sigma Nu, since the land originally belonged to the son of General Frances H. Smith, the man who inspired James Frank Hopkins to found Sigma Nu. Located on the highest hill in corporate limits of Lexington, the home was ideally suited for conversion and development and Brother James Bradley is credited for contracting renowned Virginia Architect Milton L. Grigg (participant in the famous Williamsburg Restoration) to restore the home. Thanks to his commitment to Sigma Nu, the headquarters were dedicated in 1960, and remain there today.
Donald D Humphreys
EE 1063
Brother Humphreys, a 1971 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management is the former Senior Vice President and treasurer of Exxon Mobil Corp., as well as Exxon's Chief Financial Officer after retiring on February 1, 2013. He was also the Senior Vice President and Treasurer of ExxonMobil Chemical Company, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corp. He served as Vice President of Exxon Mobil Corp. from 1997 to 2006 and served as Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of Exxon Mobil Corp., Vice President of Esso Malaysia Berhad and Controller and Vice President of Esso Production Malaysia Inc. which are also subsidiaries of Exxon Corp. In 1993, he moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as Financial Director of the Exxon companies in Malaysia. He served as an Assistant Treasurer of Exxon Corporation since January 1997. Brother Humphreys serves on the Board of Governors of the Oklahoma State University Foundation and in 2007, he was named a Distinguished Alumni of OSU and was inducted into the Spears School of Business Hall of Fame. He also serves as a Director on the boards of Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. He is a member of Financial Executives International, the American Petroleum Institute and the Conference Board's Council of Financial Executives. He has served as a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council and in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1974. Brother Humphreys also has an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Tom Coburn
EE 1065
Brother Coburn (R) is a doctor from Muskogee, Oklahoma who is currently serving as a United States Senator for Oklahoma. He is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Intelligence Committee, the Indian Affairs Committee and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Prior to his election to the Senate, Dr. Coburn represented Oklahoma's Second Congressional District in the House of Representatives from 1995 through 2001. He was first elected in 1994, then re-elected in 1996 and 1998, becoming the first Republican to hold the seat for consecutive terms. In 1970, Dr. Coburn graduated with an accounting degree and as one of the Top Ten seniors in the Spears School of Business. While at college, Dr. Coburn served as president of the College of Business Student Council. A loyal brother of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Dr. Coburn has returned to the house frequently to meet with brothers and participate in events. His most recent visit was on April, 17 2008 during which he held a presentation to the active chapter involving Sigma Nu's National LEAD Program. Senator Coburn was recently recognized in 2013 as one of TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.
Carl Thoma
EE 1069
Brother Carl Thoma of Chicago, Ill., earned his bachelor's degree in agricultural economics in 1970. He received a master's degree in business administration from Stanford's Graduate School of Business in 1973. Thoma is a managing partner in Thoma Bravo LLC, which manages $2.5 billion and was one of the early partnerships in private equity, launching its first fund in 1980. As an OSU stduent, Thoma represented the College of Agricultural Sciences on the Student Senate, was president of the Blue Key Honor Society, and was named toWho's Who. He also served as Lieutenant Commander (Vice President) of Sigma Nu. Thoma began his career in private equity with the First National Bank of Chicago. In 1980, he founded Thoma Bravo, LLC, which has invested more than $4 billion in growing companies over the past 35 years. Fortune, The Wall Street Journal and Business Week have cited Thoma for his investment leadership. He is most noted for his success in Pagenet, where his firm made more than 100 times its investment and secured numerous cellular licenses that are now a critical part of AT&t cellular network. Thoma has served as chairman of the National Venture Capital Association and the Illinois Venture Capital Association, on the Boards of Copia, the American Center for Wine, Food, and the Arts, Northwestern Evanston Hospital and the Illinois Institution of Technology. Thoma is actively involved on the advisory councils of the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Illinois and National Venture Capital Associations. He was inducted into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 1998 and was named by the Illinois Venture Capital Association as the first recipient of the Stanley C. Golder Award as a leading venture capitalist in Illinois. He remains involved at OSU, serving currently on the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship advisory board and during the late 1990s on the Oklahoma Higher Education Regents Committee for the evaluation of state colleges. The Spears School of Business inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 1996, and in 2002 he received the OSU Distinguished Alumni Award. Brother Thoma is a life member of the OSU Alumni Association.
Charlie Eitel
EE 1096
Over the last 35 years, Brother Charlie Eitel has served in various capacities as CEO, President, COO, and Chairman of seven companies (4 public/3 private) ranging in size from $80MM to $1.2B. Brother Eitel served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Simmons Bedding Company from January 2000 through 2008, one of the world’s largest suppliers of mattresses. Charlie is on the board of directors of American Fidelity Assurance as supplemental health insurance provide based in OKC. From Nov 2009 until Mar 2014, Charlie and Jeff Armstrong operated a consulting practice known as Eitel & Armstrong providing hands-on operating and financial guidance to middle market firms. During that period, Charlie served as interim CEO of three companies. Charlie served as CEO and Chairman of WS Packaging Group, one of the largest printing and label converting operators in North America from April 2015 to February 2018. WS operates 17 manufacturing plants and produces high quality packaging products doing business worldwide. In Feb of 2018 the company was sold to Platinum Equity for $370M.
Charlie currently serves on the Board of Directors of Duke Realty Corporation (NYSE: DRE) and was a former board member of Mattress Firm Holding Corp. Charlie is active in many civic and professional organizations, including World Presidents’ Organization and “Points of Light Foundation” where he worked with President George H.W. Bush to promote the spirit of volunteerism. He is former Chairman of International Sleep Products Association. He was honored by the City of Hope with the Spirit of Life Award in 2004.
In 2008, Charlie was named the Ernst&Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee in the Consumer Products Category. In 2014, Charlie was selected as one of the Top 100 Graduates of the Oklahoma State College of Business. In 2008, Brother Charlie Eitel became the 46th person since 1869 to be inducted into the Sigma Nu Hall of Fame. He was inducted along with Super Bowl Champion and MVP Eli Manning, as well as, World Series Winning MLB Manager George ‘Dallas’ Green. Brother Eitel served as Regent of the Sigma Nu national fraternity, which is the highest office a Sigma Nu can hold nationally, from 2012-2014.
Link Newcomb
EE 1498
Brother Newcomb is currently serving as a Senior Advisor to the CEO of Oakley, Inc. His previous positions held at Oakley, Inc., since 1994, include Vice President of International Sales and Chief Operating Officer which he held from 1999-2006. From 1997-1999 he served as CEO and for about two years before 1997 he held the position of CFO. Oakley is a worldwide leader in performance optics including premium sunglasses, goggles and prescription eye wear. Brother Newcomb graduated from OSU in just four years with a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Accounting. After his time spent at OSU and Sigma Nu, Newcomb would work for a year before going back to school where he would obtain a law degree from the University of Texas. Link would then work as a corporate attorney for one of the largest law firms in the U.S. According to the current CEO Scott Olivet, "Link played an integral role building Oakley into one of the world's most respected brands and companies."
R.C. Buford
EE 1514
Considered by TIME Magazine as one of the top 50 sports executives in the world, Robert Canterbury Buford has lead the San Antonio Spurs to three NBA titles as General Manager and contributed to another NBA title while holding other positions within the organization such as Director of Scouting and Vice President/Assistant General Manager. Brother Buford was crucial in acquiring Tim Duncan and Frenchman Tony Parker and either championed or discovered Robert Horry and Bruce Bowen. While an active brother, Buford played basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and after college was a member of the Kansas Jayhawks coaching staff that won the 1988 National Title. Brother Buford is also currently serving as the president of sports franchises for Spurs Sports and Entertainment
Phillip Erdoes
EE 1540
Brother Philip Erdoes is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Bear Ventures, where he has years of experience creating and financing new enterprises. Philip is also founder and CEO of The New Traditionalists and ducduc, US-based manufacturers of furniture.
Mr. Erdoes is the Founder and Managing Member of Bear Franchising, one of the largest private 3PL providers in the country. He is also a Director at Alef Mobitech, an edge computing mobility company. Philip’s particular expertise lies in product design, sales, branding &identity, and entrepreneurship & strategic planning.
Brother Erdoes is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a national Board Member for TEDx, and a Member of the national advisory board of the American Film Institute, as well as being engaged in a number of charitable activities and foundations. Additionally, Philip is a Member of the Dean's Advisory Council at Harvard Business School.
Erdoes received a BS in Bio-medicine and Biology from Oklahoma State University. He continued his education to earn a JD from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Jeff Scott Wood
EE 1657
Brother Jeff SCOTT Wood is an award winning country music singer/songwriter who currently resides in OKC, OK. During his career he has opened up for Lee Ann Rimes, Martina McBride, Wynonna, Vince Gill and Blackhawk and performed as a solo act with just he and a guitar throughout the U.S. Jeff has composed numerous songs which have been recorded by some of country music’s biggest stars. Jeff is best known for writing the #1 hit song "Cowboy Love" which was recorded by John Michael Montgomery and a main contribution to the Album John Michael Montgomery which sold over 7 million UNITS. Jeff Wood has also performed on national television numerous times on shows such as Kathie Lee Gifford's CBS Christmas Special, TNN's show "Nashville Now" with Gary Chapman and "Ricky Skaggs Monday Night Concerts" on TNN at the Ryman Auditorium (which was the original and long-time home of the Grand Ole Opry). In his debut album "Between the Stars" he also had 3 top 50 hits. While a Sigma Nu at OSU Jeff Wood played at Wild Willies Saloon (which is a mere 200 yards from the Sigma Nu chapter house) "just playing for tips,” taking over the gig from fellow OSU alumn Garth Brooks. Another great memory of Jeff's would be the weeks he spent in France on a writing retreat hosted by Miles Copeland (the manager of The Police and Sting). There, he played alongside Keith Urban, Olivia Newton John and Peter Frampton, all of whom were in attendance. Jeff continues to pen songs for himself, other artists, and for T.V. and film, as well as write movie scripts, one of which is in the process of being produced. On top of these great accomplishments, IN 1989, Jeff earned the honor of Alpha status as a senior at OSU, which is given to the top ten seniors internationally by Sigma Nu Fraternity.
David Duncan
EE 1700
Brother David Duncan is executive vice president of INVISTA. He is responsible for INVISTA’s downstream businesses: Apparel, Interiors and Performance Materials. INVISTA, based in Wichita, Kansas, is an independently managed, wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., the world’s largest privately held company, according to Forbes. Koch companies have a presence in nearly 60 countries and employ about 80,000 people. Prior to this role, Brother Duncan served as chief financial officer for the Koch Mineral Services group of companies, which includes Koch Carbon, Koch Nitrogen, and Koch Exploration and Production, and other strategic investments. After joining Koch in 1997, he served as a managing director of Koch Ventures and Koch Equity Development, Koch’s merger and acquisition group. In the latter role, he was a leader of the INVISTA acquisition and transition team. Brother Duncan then joined INVISTA as vice president after the 2004 purchase before moving into his role at Koch Minerals Services. Prior to his time at Koch, David worked in the banking industry. He received his M.B.A. from Indiana University and his undergraduate degree in finance from Oklahoma State University.
Griff Jones
EE 1724
Brother Griff Jones is a Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Energy I, L.P. Eagle Energy is a Houston-based company that engages in the acquisition, management, and delivery of natural gas and electric power in the United States and Canada. Its services include a trading floor with 24/7 trading and scheduling; gas and power marketing; load and asset management; storage management; hedging services; transportation and transmission management; and long-term optimization through the management of fuels and forward contracts. Eagle Energy is one of the largest providers of market services to the wholesale gas and power sectors in North America and Canada specializing in energy logistics and asset optimization.