Commandant of Cadets—Office of the Commandant, The Citadel
Col. Tom Gordon serves as the Commandant of Cadets at The Citadel, a role he assumed in July 2021 after retiring from a distinguished 30-year career in the United States Marine Corps. An alumnus of The Citadel, class of 1991, he returned to his alma mater to mentor the next generation of principled leaders. Throughout his military service, Col. Gordon commanded at every operational level, including leading recruit training at Parris Island and commanding both Bravo and Alpha Companies of the 2nd Tank Battalion. He also served as the first commander of the Black Sea Rotational Force, operating in regions such as the Caucasus and the Balkans.
In staff roles, Col. Gordon specialized in operations, coordinating force rotations and coalition support in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa as the Plans Branch Chief for USCENTCOM. He also directed operations for Marine Forces Central Command, integrating U.S. Marine activities across 20 Middle Eastern countries. His academic credentials include an MA from Webster University, completion of the U.S. Army’s Armor Officers Advance Course, the Joint Forces Staff College, and senior-level education as the Commandant’s Fellow at MIT. Before his current position, he directed the Marine Corps’ Command & Staff College in Quantico, Virginia.
President & Chief Executive Officer, North Oaks Health System
Michele Kidd Sutton is the president and CEO of North Oaks Health System, dedicating over 37 years to enhancing healthcare access on Louisiana’s Northshore. She began her career in banking before transitioning to healthcare, serving as North Oaks’ community resources officer from 1988 to 2006, then as executive vice president and COO until 2016, and subsequently ascending to her current role. Board-certified in healthcare management as a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Sutton has held significant leadership positions, including ACHE regent for Louisiana and serving on its Board of Governors. In March 2024, she was installed as chair-elect of ACHE, set to become chair in March 2025.
Sutton’s contributions extend to the Louisiana Hospital Association, where she serves as chair-elect and leads various committees. Under her leadership, North Oaks achieved recognition as one of the Top 10 Best Performing Health Systems by Modern Healthcare and received international acknowledgment for its COVID-19 response. Her efforts have been honored with numerous awards, including the ACHE Distinguished Service Award and Southeastern’s Alumna of the Year. Sutton holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and an MBA from Southeastern, where she also served as an adjunct professor and continues to engage with the College of Business Advisory Board.
Chief People Officer, Netchex
Adam Massman is the chief people officer at Netchex, bringing over two decades of experience in human resources and organizational development. Prior to joining Netchex, he served as chief human resources officer at Sun Capital Partners, where he honed his expertise in talent strategy and organizational effectiveness. His career includes significant roles at Jones Lang LaSalle, Rockwell Collins, Kellogg Company, and Procter & Gamble, where he collaborated with C-suite leaders to implement impactful talent management and diversity initiatives.
Massman holds a background in industrial-organizational psychology, which has informed his approach to enhancing employee engagement and fostering inclusive work environments. His leadership in human capital management has been instrumental in aligning HR initiatives with business goals, driving both employee development and organizational growth.
President, Jani King Gulf Coast
John “JJ” O’Neil is the president of Jani-King Gulf Coast Region, where he is responsible for shaping and executing the organization’s strategic vision. With over 18 years at Jani-King, O’Neil has held various leadership roles, including regional vice president and executive vice president, where he excelled in coaching regional directors and franchise owners, driving business development, and implementing operational improvements.
O’Neil’s career highlights include securing and managing contracts for high-profile clients such as the Superdome, Louis Armstrong International Airport, and Jefferson Parish Government. He holds an IICRC certification in stone, masonry, and ceramic tile cleaning and a Louisiana commercial contractor’s license. A graduate of Southeastern with a degree in marketing, O’Neil is recognized as a key executive in the success of Jani-King, solidifying its reputation as “The King of Clean.”
Officer VP, Talent Experience, Chick-fil-a
Libby serves as the VP of Talent Experience which includes the following areas Culture, Campus Planning and Operations, Org and Talent Readiness, Talent Acquisition, Talent Consulting, Talent Operations and Planning, and Total Rewards. Together these functions are responsible for creating a compelling Staff experience while aligning with Chick-fil-A’s purpose, goals, and strategic direction.
Libby spent the bulk of her career working for The Coca-Cola Company. In her 18 years at Coca-Cola, she served in a variety of leadership roles within HR and the Coca-Cola Foundation, including Organization Effectiveness; HR Business Partner Community Affairs, Global Talent Development; and ultimately serving as SVP Human Resources for Coca-Cola’s North America.
Before joining Chick-fil-A, Libby served as the Chief Human Resources Officer for BlueLinx Corporation, a public lumber distribution company, Libby holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke University, a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin and a J.D. from Emory University.
She and her husband, Bruce, have three children Amelia, Hunter and Emma Jane and reside in Atlanta, GA.
