Eugene Edward Curtain, III - President
President & CEO of Diversity Search Partners, LLC.,and also leads the Firm's Integrated Services and Client Strategy efforts worldwide. Mr. Curtain is responsible for overseeing a group of offices across North America, as well as driving the Firm's state-of-the-art account management capability across all global markets and for delivering the Firm's best resources to its core clients via its proprietary product offerings. In addition, Mr. Curtain remains an active, hands-on executive recruiter. Mr. Curtain also serves as President of Diversity Initiatives for The Corporate Playbook and Chairman  of The Curtain Group , which holds Diversity Search Partners, Diversity Job List, Diversity Times.net, and Curtain Media. Mr. Curtain's additional relationships include recruiting consultant to HBCU Connect, the nations largest HBCU web resource and career web site for African American's. Over the course of 15 years in management, Mr. Curtain has built a world-class reputation for excellence and service delivery among consumer-oriented, marketing-driven companies around the world. Additional boards and committees  include, Chair of the Minority Search Council, former Co-Chair, Political Action Committee, NAACP, Hampton, VA, Social Service Advisory Board, Hampton, VA and Delegate to the Democratic Party, State of Virginia. Formerly, Mr. Curtain served in management positions with L-3 Communications, and AT&T. Mr. Curtain is a former U.S. Army Paratrooper and Jumpmaster serving with the elite 82nd Airborne Division. Mr. Curtain has served in combat operations during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and peacekeeping missions in Europe. Mr. Curtain attended Alabama A&M University, Hampton University and University of Maryland, Europe an holds degrees in Management, Leadership and Organizational Theory, and a Doctorate in Business Administration. Mr. Curtain is named to the National Dean's List and Who's Who in Black Columbus. Mr. Curtain is a member of The Professional Tennis Registry and USTA.

Chad Wise - Treasurer
Mr. Wise has an extensive background in finance and accounting, currently serving as Commercial Loan Officer at US Bank. In this role he works with companies that range from $5 million to $20 million dollars in annual revenue. He was previously employed as Commercial Credit Analyst with Sky Bank and Huntington National Bank, responsible for analyzing commercial/corporate credit facilities up to $50 million in revenue.

In addition to his role with US Bank, Mr. Wise is responsible for managing financial operations for the Mid Month Mixer, Last Chance Friday, the Capital City Cabarets and various other events in the City.  Chad is also the Director of Business Development for ColumbusBlack.com.


Emily Burkhart - Secretary
Emily Burkhart is the communications coordinator for the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The Ohio State University, where she writes and designs all department publications while engaging with corporations and alumni to cultivate department relationships. She received her B.A. and M.A. from the School of Communication at The Ohio State University in 2005 and 2007, respectively. Her research interests include society's health and diversity initiatives and her graduate thesis analyzed the issues surrounding organ and tissue donation in the African-American population. Emily enjoys traveling, athletics and volunteering time with local non-profit organizations: ColumbusReads, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, and Lifeline of Ohio. In her spare time, Emily also works as a freelance publicist—writing for local magazines and publicizing events state-wide for clients such as Disney on Ice and Ringling Brother's Barnum and Bailey Circus. She resides in Hilliard, Ohio with her son, Caden.


Judith C. Cockrell M.Ed., M.A. - Member
Ms. Cockrell is the Key Club Relationship Manager for the United Way of Central Ohio, a Metro IC affiliate raising over $50 million annually. Key Club is the premiere Leadership Giving initiative for African Americans in central Ohio. Ms. Cockrell also chairs the organizations Internal Diversity Committee work plan. Ms. Cockrell serves on the advisory board of the African American Leadership Academy, a leadership-training program for African American professionals, presented in partnership with the Ohio State University Kirwin Institute, Jefferson Academy of Leadership and Governance, and the United Way of Central Ohio. She is also on the African American Advisory Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Columbus, the Junior League of Columbus board, and is a member National Center of Black Philanthropy. Ms. Cockrell chairs the Economic Development committee of the Mayor’s Young Professional Commission. In 2007, Ms. Cockrell was recognized by Who’s Who in Columbus as an interesting personality because of her community involvement.

Ms. Cockrell received her bachelor and two masters degree for The Ohio State University.  She also holds a certificate in Philanthropy and Fundraising from New York University.


Dave Pfefferle - Member
Born and raised in Westerville, Ohio. 2002 graduate of Westerville North High School.  Went to Ashland University where he double majored in sport communication and electronic media production.  He played baseball for Ashland University, and after graduating college in 2006, he got a chance to play two seasons of professional baseball.  Currently, he works for NBC 4 sports as a part time sport reporter/producer.  He also owns and runs the Westerville Mini Golf and Batting Cages.  In his first year of owning the mini golf and batting cages he was able to raise profits 35%, including having the best numbers in over 10 years.


Gina Ginn - Member
Georgina (Gina) Ginn is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio.  She graduated with honors from Oak Hills High School in 1998 and pursued her B.S. in Environmental Science with a Minor is Biological Sciences from the University of Cincinnati, graduating in Spring of 2002.   Certain that she would attend medical school, she deferred her entrance for a year to travel with her social sorority, Theta Phi Alpha, as an Educational Consultant.  Being out on the road redirected her career goals to one that involved teaching and working with organizations to make improvements within to promote opportunities for marginalized workforce groups.   This decision led Gina to pursue her Masters Degree in Higher Education Administration at The Ohio State University.  Graduating in Spring of 2005, she knew that pursuing her PhD was the next step in her educational and professional pursuits. That goal led her to begin classes with in the Workforce Development and Education program at The Ohio State University, where she completed several courses before officially being accepted into the program in Autumn of 2006. Gina is currently is a Ph.D. student with interests in human resources/organizational behavior, adult education and women in the workforce. In addition, she is the Director of Development and Marketing for United Cerebral Palsy of Central Ohio where she has worked since graduating with her Master’s degree.


Kevin Lloyd - Member
Kevin Lloyd, President of Lloyds of Columbus, LLC is a native of New York City and a graduate of Tuskegee University. Lloyd, a very successful retail executive, has worked for a number of major retailers and currently holds the position of Group Merchandise Leader with Target. He is proud of his professional career which is complemented by his entrepreneurial endeavors.

Lloyds of Columbus, LLC (parent company of Columbusblack.com and Columbuslatino.net) is a Marketing, Internet and Entertainment firm, providing a myriad of services to clients including Comprehensive Marketing Plans, Web Design, Graphic Design, Event Planning and Consultation.

Columbusblack.com is the premiere website in Central Ohio targeted toward the African-American community and provides Entertainment, Event, News, Community Updates, a Business Directory and Career Board. The website is also a major resource and advertising venue for entrepreneurs, promoters and major companies targeting the African-American demographic.

Columbuslatino.net is the premiere website in Central Ohio targeted toward the Latino community and provides Entertainment, Event, News, Community Updates, a Business Directory and Career Board. The website is also a major resource and advertising venue for entrepreneurs, promoters and major companies targeting the Latin demographic.

Lloyd is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and First Church of God


Alexis Maddox - Member
Alexis Maddox took on the role of Director of the Buckeye Club in November 2005. She oversees and coordinates the activities involved with The Ohio State University Athletic Development Department's annual giving program. She is responsible for the annual membership drive, the student-athlete thank-a-thon and the Buckeye Club Reception.

Alexis received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and minor in Dance from The Ohio State University in June 2005 after working in the Athletic Development Department as a student-employee for three years.  Currently, she is pursuing a Masters in Business Administration from Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business through the working professionals program.  During her four years of undergraduate work she was very involved with the University, serving as a peer mentor, member of the Office of Minority Affairs Mentoring Program and recruiter for OSU's Admissions and OMA offices. Additionally, she was a sports intern at WBNS-10TV for a year, where she was on-air for nine months, reporting Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns games, as well as Ohio State athletics.

A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native, Alexis resides in Columbus.


Rich Garrett - Member
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Rich attended Ohio State University where he got his Bachelors degree in Business/ World Economy. He is currently a Business Candidate to receive his masters. Rich also started his own company named Media Diamond. His company was established a way to marketing avenue for companies along with graphic arts that may be needed.