About Seminole Boosters

Charlie received his B.S. with a Major in Political Science and Minor in Sports Coaching; and a J.D. in law in 1993. He turned a college internship into a lobbying and legal career. He has owned and operated his own law firm since 1996 and began Floridian Partners lobbying and consulting firm, with multiple offices in Florida in 2000. Additionally, he owns and operates several other companies in law, consulting, marketing and real estate.

Charlie and his wife Alison split their time between Tallahassee & Jupiter, Florida. They have two children: Chas, who is a junior at FSU, Business School, Finance & Marketing Major, ATO Fraternity and Emily, who is entering her senior year of high school at Maclay School.

He took up tennis a few years ago and really enjoys getting out a few days a week and hitting the yellow ball. He recently decided to spend more time on golf. He enjoys all FSU sports, especially men’s basketball and tennis. He also enjoys consuming exceptional red wine. Charlie and Alison enjoy their time fishing, snorkeling and walking the beaches in Jupiter Island.

Warner Peacock is the Chairman and CEO of Peacock Automotive, a group of 17 dealerships located in Savannah, Ga.; Orlando, Fla.; Hardeeville, S.C., and Columbia, S.C. In addition to his expanding dealership holdings, Warner has invested in and developed properties for both himself and others all over the Southeast including car and motorcycle dealerships, casual dining restaurants, bank branches, residential communities, shopping centers and lifestyle properties.

A native of Tallahassee, Fla., Warner earned a degree in business with a major in accounting from Florida State University’s College of Business. Warner resides in Palmetto Bluff, S.C., and Windermere, Fla., with his wife, Mary Kaye. They have two children who live and work in New York City, and four white labs who live at home.

Beth earned her Bachelors Degree in Communications/Public Relations from FSU. She began her career with the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association. She then worked in the public relations with the Florida Association of School Administrators and the Florida School Board Association. She has remained active in her sorority, Kappa Delta, where she has held numerous offices in both the local alumnus chapter as well as national offices. She currently remains active locally at Trinity United Methodist Church and Maclay School. She has served on the boards of United Way, Junior League, Friends of LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library and the Brogan Museum of Art and Sciences as well as many others.

Beth is married to our Past Chair Lawton Langford and they have two children.

Phil earned his AA degree from Chipola Jr. College, his bachelor’s degree from FSU, his MD degree from UF and also trained in internal medicine and cardiovascular areas at the University of Virginia. He practiced medicine for 26 years.

Phil and his wife Deirdre currently reside in Thomasville, GA. They have three children: Daughter, Mary Hansen; daughter, Julia Florack (FSU grad); and son William. Besides being big FSU athletic fans, they operate a small farm that includes pasture and beef cattle management. They love gardening and Phil is a first responder/fire fighter with the local volunteer fire department.

Richard McCullough became the 16th president of Florida State University on Aug. 16, 2021, bringing more than 30 years of academic research and leadership experience to the role as well as a commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Prior to joining FSU, McCullough had served as vice provost for research and professor of materials science and engineering at Harvard University since 2012. In this role, he oversaw the development, review and implementation of strategies, planning, and policies related to academic research. In addition, he led an office of Foundation and Corporate Engagement and assisted in the oversight of more than 25 interdisciplinary institutes, centers and initiatives across the university.

During his tenure, McCullough successfully built and launched the new Harvard Data Science Initiative, a collaboration between 12 of the university’s schools and more than 120 faculty, which led to the creation of three new master’s programs and many new undergraduate courses.

McCullough developed and launched a new structural biology program and cryo-electron microscope facility that partners Harvard Medical School with three Boston-area hospitals. He also led the development of a new $100 million, multi-institution collaboration to build the Advanced Biological Innovation and Manufacturing Center and Facility, which will be a hub for medical research and education, as well as economic and workforce development.

Previously, McCullough spent 22 years at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where he began his academic career as an assistant professor of chemistry in 1990 and became the Thomas Lord Professor of Chemistry in 2009. He was promoted to head of the chemistry department in 1998 and then served as dean of the Mellon College of Science from 2001 to 2007 before becoming the university’s vice president for research.

McCullough, who holds multiple patents and is the founder of two companies, has a rich background in entrepreneurship and innovation. At Carnegie Mellon, he developed a vibrant innovation ecosystem, including the Greenlighting Start-ups Initiative that exponentially increased the generation of university spin-out companies and corporate engagement. In 2013, he was elected a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.

A staunch champion of diversity, McCullough created a diverse pipeline of Black/African American, Laxtinx and other underrepresented minority academics from both his research lab and as the founding creator of the Future Faculty Workshop: Diverse Leaders of Tomorrow, an annual workshop that helps diverse postdoctoral fellows and students obtain academic jobs. Now in its 15th year, the workshop has facilitated placing more than 50 underrepresented minority professors in the United States.

McCullough is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles and serves on the editorial boards of several academic journals, including Advanced Materials. He has been an innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer advisor to Oxford University, Princeton University and Washington University at St. Louis.

A first-generation college student from Mesquite, Texas, McCullough attended Eastfield Community College before earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1982 and a doctoral degree in organic chemistry from Johns Hopkins University in 1988. McCullough also spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University in New York.

He and his wife, Jai Vartikar, have two children, Jason and Dylan, daughter-in-law, Sarah Christian, and two granddaughters, Gladys and Archer.

Peter Collins is Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Forge Capital Partners, LLC (“Forge”). Mr. Collins directs all private equity activities for Forge and is the CEO of Forge’s real estate private equity fund business. Over the last 20 years, Mr. Collins has overseen more than $1.5 billion of real estate and corporate transactions including over eight million square feet of commercial and residential real estate development/acquisitions/dispositions.

Peter is a former Trustee of the Florida State University (“FSU”) Foundation and recently completed a 2-year term as Chair of the FSU Endowment. Peter is a past Executive Committee member of the FSU College of Business Board of Governors. In 2010, Peter was appointed by the Governor and Cabinet and confirmed by the Florida Senate to the $200 billion State of Florida Pension Investment Advisory Council and recently ended a term as its Chair. In 2019, Peter was elected to the Board of the Florida Council of 100. Peter is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the International Council of Shopping Centers.

An Eagle Scout, Mr. Collins is the past Southern Region, Area 4 (State of Florida) President and member of the Southern Region Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America (“BSA”). Peter is currently President of the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council. Peter is a past member of the BSA National Foundation Board of Trustees and former Chair of the BSA National Foundation’s Investment Committee. Additionally, Peter is the recipient of the BSA’s prestigious Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope and National Outstanding Eagle Scout awards.

Mr. Collins earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance as well as his MBA from Florida State University. Peter and his wife, Jennifer, live in Tampa, Florida and have four children. Mr. Collins is an avid golfer, hunter, and private pilot.

Michael Alford, who has a remarkably broad-based career with championship organizations including serving as CEO and President of Seminole Boosters, Inc., was named Vice President and Director of Athletics at Florida State University on December 9, 2021.

During his 26 years in intercollegiate athletics and professional sports, Alford has held positions with the Dallas Cowboys, the University of Alabama, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Southern California, the Cincinnati Bengals and was Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics at Central Michigan University from 2017-2020.

Under Alford’s leadership since 2020, Seminole Boosters added over 2,000 new annual members, raised $15 million towards a new football operations center bringing the total commitments to over $55 million, and conceived and launched concepts to dramatically improve the fan experience at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Prior to his arrival at Florida State, Alford served as Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics at Central Michigan University from 2017-2020. He is credited with leading Central Michigan during the most successful fundraising period in its athletics history. Notably, Alford hired eight coaches at Central Michigan, four of whom went on to win conference coach of the year honors in their first two seasons. Alford also guided the renegotiation of CMU Athletics’ apparel contract which resulted in a 600 percent increase in revenue, spearheaded an all-time high in Chippewa Athletic Fund memberships and oversaw the department’s all-time fundraising record in 2018-2019 that eclipsed the mark set in 2017-2018 by 50 percent. He also spearheaded the fundraising and project oversight for the Chippewa Champions Center which was completed in 2021.

From 2012 to 2017, Alford was the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development and Administration at the University of Oklahoma where he oversaw the Sooner Club, the principal fundraising arm of OU Athletics. The Sooner Club set annual giving records and increased membership to an all-time high under his leadership. He also played an integral role in the $160 million capital campaign for the renovation of the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and the university’s football facility. In addition, Alford oversaw the men’s basketball program, which advanced to the NCAA Final Four in 2016, the men’s tennis program, which finished as runners up for the NCAA Championship three times as well as the Sooner’s women’s tennis program.

Before joining Oklahoma, Alford was Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships and Sales for the Dallas Cowboys (2008-2012). With the Cowboys, he cultivated corporate relationships that resulted in over $400 million in contractual revenue for the club. In his role, he managed all aspects of programming for Cowboys Stadium.

Prior to joining the Cowboys, Alford was the General Manager of Crimson Tide Sports Marketing at the University of Alabama (2004 to 2008). Crimson Tide Sports was responsible for the management of the media rights for Alabama. He provided oversight for all aspects of sales and marketing, including corporate sponsorships, radio and television, sports marketing, and the internet. He was also involved in contract design, negotiations and hiring of coaches, and the management and enhancement of ancillary revenue streams – including licensed apparel, merchandising contracts and concessions.

Alford also worked at ABC Broadcasting in Los Angeles, where he provided oversight of sports sales for both the Anaheim Angels and Los Angeles Kings radio networks. Before ABC, he was Associate Athletics Director at the University of Southern California, where he oversaw all aspects of marketing, corporate sales and media contract negotiations.

Alford’s first position in professional sports was Corporate Sales Executive with the Cincinnati Bengals. In this role, he was actively involved in all facets of the planning, construction and corporate sponsorships for Paul Brown Stadium. In addition, he provided oversight for Ticket Marketing, Group Sales and Hospitality. His first position in Intercollegiate Athletics was at the University of Cincinnati as Assistant Director of Marketing.

Alford played baseball at Mississippi State before transferring to UAB, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication in 1993. He received a master’s in Athletics Administration from the University of Arkansas in 1995.

Alford is married to Laura, a collegiate volleyball student-athlete at Hawaii and former Division I head volleyball coach. They have three daughters Audrey, Ashley and Anna Leigh.

Mr. Graganella graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and was fortunate to play football for Coach Bobby Bowden 81-84. He is the President, CEO, and a founding shareholder of James Holding Company, Inc. He has 18 years of experience with a Fortune 500 insurance company, and now possesses over 37 years of experience directing all levels of the insurance industry. Graganella’s business skills, coupled with his risk management expertise, have resulted in him being recognized as an influential leader in the insurance industry.

Graganella’s innovative business and legal strategy development have allowed him to gain and sustain competitive advantage – demonstrating proficiency in the areas of research, strategic planning, and coordination of acquisitions, mergers, and divestitures. His areas of expertise additionally include government relations, securities/employment law, contract negotiations, portfolio management and analysis, real estate investments, and transition leadership. Graganella was the President, CEO, and founding member of Capitol Preferred Insurance Company, Southern Fidelity Insurance Company, Southern Fidelity Property & Casualty, Southern Financial Insurance Group, National Consumer Title Insurance, and Omega National Agencies. Graganella is the owner of Graganella Insurance Agency, Inc., G & G Title Agency, Inc., Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant, The Blu Halo, and Killearn Country Club.

Jimmy and his wife Lisa currently reside in Tallahassee, Florida. They have two FSU alumni children Nicole and Nick. Nicole and her husband Ryan Kelly both attended FSU, and Nicole was a member of the Golden Girls Dance Team. Nick and his wife Shelby are also both alumni of Florida State, where Nick played baseball for Coach Mike Martin. Jimmy and Lisa have 2 beautiful grandchildren Colton and Copland and awaiting the birth of their third grandchild Luca this fall. Jimmy’s hobbies include golf, hunting, fishing, and all things FSU.

Peter is well known as a first team All-America while playing football at FSU. He went on to play professionally for the Baltimore Ravens and in 1997 was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He also won a Super Bowl Championship.

Peter received his bachelor’s degree from FSU with a major in Management Information Systems. He is currently the Vice President of Legacy Toyota. He has been active in volunteer work as well. He has served on the Florida Board of Education. He also founded a private school, the Community Leadership Academy.

Betsy received her Bachelors and Masters in Accounting from FSU and then worked for Arthur Andersen from 1997-2002. She joined Deloitte Tax in Atlanta and is currently a partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions Transaction Services group. She is very involved with FSU as a major donor to the Boosters as well as supporting the College of Business, Student Affairs, the Marching Chiefs and the FSU Student Emergency Funds. This Spring she has served as a mentor in the FSU College of Business Seneff Honor’s Program.

Rich received his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois Univeristy, he master’s degree from FSU and has completed some of his coursework for a PhD at FSU. Rich also taught a masters level class at FSU in Lobbying. Rich is regarded as a leading republican political strategist and lobbyist. He has been in the business for over 35 years in both Illinois and Florida.

Rich and his wife Nancy currently reside in Panama City Beach, Florida. Their son Drew and his wife Brooke are both FSU graduates. Their daughter Katie went to Rollins College (but she is dating the former FSU great Ryan Izzo).

Rich and Nancy like to travel, they are sports enthusiasts and Rich loves the game of golf.

Andy received his undergraduate degree from FSU with a major in Politcal Science. He is the Managing Partner of GMF Construction. GMF is an AISC certified, state-of-the-art steel fabrication facility and structural steel erection company. They operate out of a 136,000 SF shop and have a collection of manufacturing equipment that allows them to complete almost any project entirely in-house. GMF has been a part of some high-profile projects including the expandsion of the Tampa Bay Times Forum, the Jefferson Pump Station Lake Pontchartrain Levy Rebuild in New Orleans, and the Harry Potter at Islands of Advanture Universal Studios in Orlando.

Andy and his wife Sheryl met at Florida State University. They reside in Lakeland, Florida with their 4 children; Libby, Maggy, Stuart and Charley.

Barry currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of The Suddath Companies. He joined Suddath in 1974. While serving as CEO he oversaw growth of nearly 300%. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Unigroup, LLC, the nation’s largest household goods and logistics transportation company. He has served on the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors and many charitable organizations, including Operation New Hope and Metro Kids Connection.

Barry and his wife Patti currently reside in Jacksonville, Florida. They have two sons and a daughter-in-law. Their son Eric received his undergraduate degree from FSU and then received his law degree from Stetson. They also have five grandchildren who keep them very busy.

In addition to being a big FSU fan since 1974, Barry loves anything with wheels. He is the owner of Vaughn Motorgroup of Jacksonville. He still holds his private pilot’s license as well.

Jorge Azor is a retired business executive from South Florida. He was previously on the Booster Board from 2010-2016. Jorge and wife Diana split their time between S. Florida, Tallahassee, and North Carolina.

Jorge has been a Booster member since 1985 and a Golden Chief since 1999. Since then the Azor’s have become MICCO’s, and Seminole Legacy golf course founders along with funding 2 endowed scholarships for women’s golf. The Azor’s are members of the Presidents society, and also support the FSU business school.

Jorge continues to serve as Treasurer of the South Florida Golf Foundation, and is currently President of the Mountain Harbour Property Owners Association and Mountain Harbour Golf Course in Hayesville, NC.