Perdue School Advisory Board Welcomes Five New Members

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University’s Franklin P. Perdue School of Business recently welcomed five new members to its executive advisory board.

They include Wesley Cox ’02 of Salisbury; David Harkins of Salisbury; Jennifer Layton M’07 of Vienna, MD; Mike Petry ’06 of Baltimore; and David Ryan M’90 of Salisbury.

Cox is a senior advisor at SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate. He also has served on the Perdue School’s Career Advisory Board, is past president of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Wicomico Rotary Club, and is currently a member of the Provident State Bank board of directors. He received SU’s Young Alumni Award in 2014, and has been named SVN International Humanitarian of the Year and the Maryland Association of Realtors Community Service Person of the Year.

Harkins is the owner, CEO and president of The Harkins Companies, a conglomerate of companies specializing in real estate, development, general contracting, concrete construction and ready-mix manufacturing. He also serves on the SU Foundation, Inc., board of directors, as well as the Life Crisis Center board of directors and Salvation Army local advisory board.

Layton is the general manager of Layton’s Chance Vineyard and Winery in Vienna, overseeing the winery, tasting room and marketing strategy for the business. A 2014 Leadership Maryland Fellow, she also serves on the board of directors for the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore.

Petry is an audit partner in the Baltimore office of KPMG, LLP, where he co-leads the area’s life science practice. He serves as treasurer for MENTOR Maryland/D.C., and is the committee chair for his local Cub Scout pack and a youth sports coach. He previously was chair of the Perdue School’s Career Advisory Board and a member of its Accounting Advisory Board.

Ryan is executive director of the Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development Corp., a public-private partnership charged with strengthening the economy of Salisbury, Wicomico County and the surrounding region. He is one of 18 current members of the Maryland Economic Development Association Hall of Fame.

“We are proud to have such strong business leaders and alumni providing guidance for the Perdue School,” said Dr. Christy Weer, dean of the Perdue School. “As active members of the SU, business and greater communities, they not only are giving back, but also serve as role models for our students.”

The Perdue School Executive Advisory Council is comprised of 40 prominent business and management executives who cultivate external support and serve as advocates for the school and its students, working to forge a close bond between the business and academic communities.

Learn more about SU and opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours at the SU website.