Ed Helton
Interim Executive Director & Director of the Leadership Institute

Doctor of Divinity, Judson College
M.A. Philosophy, Samford University
B.A. Communication and English, Samford University


Ed Helton is the Interim Executive Director of the Cunningham Center and Director of the Leadership Institute at Columbus State University. He is responsible for the operations of the Cunningham Center and the development and execution of the leadership programs facilitated by the Leadership Institute. He joined Columbus State University as Adjunct Professor of Philosophy in 2002. In 2004, in addition to his teaching duties, he began serving as a consultant with the Cunningham Center, where he became instrumental in promoting the leadership offerings. In May 2005, he assumed the position as Director of The Leadership Institute. He was appointed the Interim Executive Director of the Cunningham Center January 1, 2013.

He has served on a number of Boards and Committees in Columbus including The American Cancer Society, The United Way, and Partners-in-Education. Presently he serves on the Institutional Review Board of the Columbus Regional Healthcare System.

He is certified by the Center for Creative Leadership to facilitate the 360º Benchmark Assessment and a variety of other CCL assessments. Dr. Helton is also certified by Lominger International to facilitate the Leadership Architect Suite which includes the 360º Voices Assessment, certification from the Center for Psychological Types to administer the MBTI (Myers-Briggs), and certification from Competitive Edge for DISC Personal Profile System and the Values Model Assessment. He is accredited by the Hay Group to utilize the Emotional and Social Competency (ESI) for individuals and teams. He was trained by the Sonoma Learning Systems to facilitate Kouzes & Posner’s, The Leadership Challenge. He has received training as an Executive Coach from the Center for Creative Leadership and the Center for Psychological Types.

He is married to Lana Pearce Helton and has three children and seven grandchildren.

Susan Miller
Director of the Cunningham Conference Center and Cunningham Enterprise Center

M.S. Business Administration, Columbus State University
B.S. Business Administration – Marketing, Auburn University

Susan joined the University System of Georgia in 1999. Prior to joining the Cunningham Center., she served as Area Director of the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center. She now serves as Director of the Cunningham Conference Center where she is responsible for sales and coordination of events for the Center and also oversees operation of the Cunningham Enterprise Center which houses 33 permanent tenants and hosts on average an additional 25 mobile tenants.

Before her association with the SBDC, she was with SouthTrust Bank where she served as Public Relations Officer and later as Vice President of Business Banking. She was an adjunct professor of Marketing at the University of Alabama (Huntsville) from 1983 until 1989, and has held the position of Vice President of Small Business at the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

She has served on the Columbus, GA Better Business Bureau Board of Directors and also on the North Alabama American Heart Association board where she was awarded for Outstanding Public Relations in the Alabama district. For more than four years, she wrote a weekly business column for the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, a McClatchy Publication, and is a three-time national winner of the “Best in Business” Award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.

She is on the Board of Directors and serves as Secretary for the Chattahoochee Valley Chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals, is a member of the National Business Incubator Association. Susan has been a member for the past 11 years and has held several officer positions – currently as Treasurer - for the Valley Motorcycle Touring Association, the Valley’s oldest independent motorcycle organization.

Her background includes extensive experience in sales and marketing, fundraising for the arts, and commercial construction management.

Susan is married to Roger and they have two dogs – Sadie, a miniature Schnauzer, and Molly, a Yorkshire Terrier adopted from NC Yorkie Rescue.

Kimberly Eason Rozycki
Director of Events and Marketing

M.S. Business Administration, Columbus State University
B.S. Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Administration, University of South Carolina


A native of Columbus, Kim has 27 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She previously worked for Hilton and Hyatt hotels in food & beverage management, as a concierge, and in sales. Kim worked for several years as a Travel Agent & Group Tour Coordinator for domestic & international tours to over 11 countries. From 1997-2001, she was Director of Tourism for the Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau before becoming Director of Sales for the company. In 2001, Kim became Director of Rankin Events & Housing at Columbus State University in Uptown Columbus.

In 2005, Kim joined the Cunningham Center team as Director of Events & Marketing. For five years, she was responsible all events sales and coordination for the Conference Center. Currently, Kim is the producer, responsible for all elements of The Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum which boasts speakers such as George W. Bush, Robert Gates, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, Zell Miller, Newt Gingrich, Former First Lady Laura W. Bush, General John Abizaid, Lieutenant General Russel Honore´, James Carville, Mary Matalin, Dan Amos, General David Petraeus, Ken Blanchard, Tom Friedman, Daniel Pink, John Maxwell, Malcolm Gladwell and others. This annual two day event is the largest gathering of business leaders in the region. Kim serves on the planning committee for the Mind, Body and Spirit Retreat for Women- a partnership with Columbus Regional Healthcare. In addition, Kim is responsible for all marketing, events, and social media for the Cunningham Center and assists with business development.

She serves on a facilities marketing committee with the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and is active with the Georgia Society of Association Executives serving on the Professional Development Committee, Newcomer Committee and Supplier Council. Kim is a CSU Annual Fund and CSU Day Volunteer. Kim is a 2000 graduate of Leadership Columbus. An active community volunteer, Kim is a member of First Baptist Church serving as a Sunday School department director, Girls in Action leader and chair of the Publicity Committee. Kim is a member of Leadership Columbus Alumni and Network for Professional Women and previously served on both of those boards. Kim is a Vice President of the Miss Georgia Pageant Board of Trustees, is on the Brookstone Alumni Board, and serves the Hope Harbour Auxilliary as Publicity Chair. With a passion for adoption, Kim regularly advises prospective adoptive parents. Kim is married to Mark Rozycki and they have two children, James (25) and Caroline (13).

Shana Young
Assistant Director of The Leadership Institute at Columbus State University

M.A. Communication, Auburn University
B.F.A. Mass Media, Valdosta State University

Shana is a certified Human Behavior Consultant focusing on helping individuals to understand theirs and others personalities in order to improve communication and become a more effective leader. In addition, Shana is certified in Basic Behavioral Studies, the DISC Self Assessment Tool, the EQ-I Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory, Hogan Assessment, and consult/coach on 360° Assessments. She has received specialized training in DISC to work specifically with those in the field of Education to improve relationships and communication between all levels of administration, teachers and students. Shana is also to lead on research, development, and writing of strategic plans for many Leadership Institute clients, to include the 'City of Columbus's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness' and Muscogee County School Districts 5 year plan.

She has been a keynote speaker for Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, Tri-Community Director of Volunteers, the Columbus chapter of the National Association of Professional & Executive Women, and a breakout session leader for the Georgia Convention and Visitors Bureau Annual Winter Meeting, The Women’s Leadership Development Conference as well as the Mind, Body and Spirit Retreat host by Columbus Regional Healthcare Systems.

Shana coordinates the speakers for The annual Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum which boast past speakers such as politicians Zell Miller, Judge Griffin Bell, Sam Nunn, Phil Gramm, Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, Newt Gingrich, and President George W. Bush, Former First Lady Laura W. Bush and Former Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert Gates; Military leaders such as General John Abizaid, Lieutenant General Russel Honore´, General Colin Powell and General David Petraeus; as well as authors and TV personalities such as Ken Blanchard, Tom Friedman, Daniel Pink, John Maxwell, Norah O’Donnell, Malcolm Gladwell, James Carville and Mary Matalin.

Shana is a member of:

• ‘5 Under 40’ by Columbus and the Valley Magazine 2012
• TSYS Future Scholars Foundation, Inc, External Scholarship Applicant Evaluator, 2012
• Columbus Symphony Orchestra Board Member, 2012 - Present
• Home For Good, Advisory Board Member, 2011 - Present
• St. Francis Hospital, Bunco for Breast Care, Committee member since 2008, 2012 event Chair
• Leadership Columbus Class of 2009
• Jr. Service League of Columbus, 2008 – Present
• Vice President of Placement, 2013
• Placement Advisor, 2012
• Chair, Project Prom, 2011
• Columbus Regional, Advisory Board Committee Member, Mind, Body & Spirit Retreat, 2007 - Present
• America Society for Training & Development, 2003 – Present

Shana is married to Donnie Young, also of Columbus, and they have 2 daughters, Parker Ruth and Camryn Ann.

Eva Cooper
Assistant Director of The Leadership Institute at Columbus State University

Currently enrolled in Doctoral Program, pursuing an ED.D. Leadership and Curriculum, Columbus State University
ED.S. Business Education, Troy State University
M.S. Management, Troy State University
B.S. Business Administration, Columbus State University

Eva joined Columbus State University in 2010 as Assistant Director. She has extensive experience in the management/leadership and organizational development arena. Immediately prior to joining Columbus State University, she held the position of Training and Development/Quality Assurance Manager for a global company. Eva was responsible for planning, initiating, and managing training and development programs and was also responsible for the management , development, and implementation of the quality assurance, quality monitoring and adjustment programs while providing business solutions to improve the overall quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of the call centers at two locations.

Eva also has experience as an Organizational Development Consultant/Corporate Trainer with the Business Resource Center, where she developed and delivered organizational development programs and training curriculums as a consultant/trainer for large 500 companies that included Aflac, Synovus, TSYS, W.C. Bradley Co., and governmental and quasi-governmental agencies as well as smaller companies.

Eva also has experience as a business owner/entrepreneur. She led a successful business venture through the stages of business planning, financing, business formation and growth while building a solid customer base that was sold with the business.

Eva also held the position of Instructor of Management/Supervisory Development at Columbus Technical College where she developed new courses for the department while also instructing and advising students. While with Columbus Technical College, she also served as the Leadership Team Liaison between leadership and faculty, chaired the Commission of Colleges Steering Committee, and was Instructor of the Year Finalist.

Eva also has extensive experiencing speaking at conferences and for numerous groups. Her organization affiliations and certifications include:

• Alumnus, Leadership Columbus, 2005
• Member, American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)
• Member, Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
• Member, Network for Professional and Executive Women
• Executive Coach Candidate (International Coach Federation)
• Certified in Administering the Myers Briggs Personality Indicator (MBTI)
• Certified in Administering Right Path® Profiles
• Certified in Administering the Emergenetics International Assessment

Eva is married to David Cooper and has two sons (John and Michael), two daughters-in-law (Krissy and Lindsey), and two grandchildren (Julia and Maddox). She will be happy to show you pictures of her grandchildren!

Thomas Bobek
Facility Manager

B.S. Education-Communications & Technical Theatre

Born and raised in Ohio, Thom moved to Columbus GA in 1993. He comes to the Cunningham Center with 34 Years of hospitality service. Some of his past position achievements include, Marriott Hotels, Shaker Heights Country Club, Green Island Country Club. Along with his expertise in Communications and Technical Theatre, Thom brings a wealth of knowledge to the table as he manages the facility, handles relations with caterers (and other event-oriented partners), and oversees the details of making the Cunningham Center aesthetically match the mantra, “Excellence Begins Here!”

James Turner
Multi Media Production Specialist

James Turner is originally from Macon, GA but made his way to Columbus after being accepted to the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. James brings more than five years of experience and knowledge to the Cunningham Center from his prior position with St. Luke United Methodist Church of Columbus’ Multimedia Ministries Department. In addition, he has acquired much needed experience having worked and performed with local area theatre companies such as The Springer Opera House and The LaGrange Lyric Theatre.

M. Elizabeth (Libby) Smith
Senior Administrator Assistant

Libby majored in education and accounting at Kennesaw State University, Frances Marion University, and is currently enrolled in Columbus State University's Turner College of Business. She brings over 20 years of experience in the banking, publishing, and educational areas to her position as senior administration assistant. Since returning to Columbus in 2002 and prior to her position with the Cunningham Center, she served as Business Manager and Facilities Coordinator at the Schwob School of Music at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.

Kathy Mercer
Tenant Services / Office Manager of the Columbus Cunningham Enterprise Center

Kathy joined the Cunningham Enterprise Center in September of 2009 after a 30 year career with Tom's Foods, Inc., where she most recently served as Customer Service Manager. Just prior to arriving at CSU, she served as a Sales Assistance with B&B Beverage Co. in Columbus, GA.

She has extensive experience in the areas of office administration, order processing, accounts receivable, field sales staff support, and customer service team management.

Her hobbies include camping and gardening.

Lindsey Groenewald
Graduate Assistant, The Leadership Institute at Columbus State University

Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Lindsey moved to Columbus in 2006 to attend Columbus State University on a tennis scholarship. Lindsey joined the CCLD team in 2007 and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Community Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. Upon graduation Lindsey hopes to open her own counseling practice, pursue her doctorate degree and continue working in leadership as a consultant. Lindsey is a member of Columbus Young Professionals, The American Counseling Association, National Honor Society in Psychology (Psi Chi), and the former Student Government Representative for Psi Chi. Lindsey’s background includes personality assessment and analysis.