Foundation Welcomes Newest Directors
The College of Southern Maryland Foundation has selected Rané Franklin as chair and welcomes Leah Estevez, Brenda Lowe, Bernadette “Birdie” Shannon, Gary Simpson and Stacy Trimble as directors.
“Higher education is the key to keeping the region competitive in the current economy,” said Franklin who joined the foundation in 2012 and succeeds 1987 CSM alum Christine Rush as foundation chair. “I am excited to help lead the CSM Foundation as we work to provide scholarships to students who without them would not be able to attend college. It is worth everything if I can help someone achieve their goals through education at CSM. I look forward to working with members of our community to become champions for CSM students.” Franklin said.
Franklin is president of Everilis Communications providing marketing, public relations, publicity services and media training. She honed her skills working in local government, the entertainment field and with a national media company. She is immediate past president of the Southern Maryland Chapter of Jack & Jill of America (an African-American organization for mothers to benefit their children), president of the Calvert County Arts Council, chair of the Arts Facet of the Southern Maryland Chain Chapter of the Links, Inc., and she serves on CSM’s Advisory Board for Calvert County.
Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Franklin has lived in Maryland since 1999. She has a master’s degree in music and a master’s in public administration from Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus. Her husband, Eric Franklin, president and CEO of Erimax, Inc., was the 2011 recipient of the CEO Leading Edge Award.