New Foundation Board Members

The FSU Foundation, Inc., recently welcomed six new members to its Board of Directors.

Lisa Byrd '94

Lisa Byrd '94, a Baltimore native, is a dynamic leader with a rich tapestry of experience in event production, logistics management and community development. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Justice Studies, and her journey has been defined by her unwavering commitment to excellence and her passion for fostering meaningful connections.

Currently serving as the Director of Events & Business Development at the Greater Baltimore Committee, Byrd orchestrates impactful events and sponsorships, leveraging over 20 years of experience in the field. Her career spans across esteemed institutions such as the Department of Juvenile Justice, Prince George’s Community College, Notre Dame University (formerly the College of Notre Dame), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, The George Town Club, Delaware North and Aramark.

Byrd's roots in community engagement run deep, nurtured by her active involvement in student organizations during her time at FSU. As a former member of the Student Government Association, Black Student Alliance, and other key groups, she honed her leadership skills and cultivated a passion for collaboration.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Byrd is dedicated to serving her community. She currently serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation and holds the role of Secretary on the Visit Baltimore Education and Training Foundation Board of Directors.

In her personal life, Byrd finds joy in spending time with her family, including her daughter, two grandchildren, two dogs, and a goldfish.

Steven Glasbrenner '18

Steven Glasbrenner '18, CPA, is the managing partner of Hamm & Glasbrenner CPAs, which has offices in Frostburg and Cresaptown. H&G CPAs began in 2023 after Glasbrenner bought Regina Hamm’s existing business. H&G CPAs has seen significant growth in the 18 months with him at the helm, including an expansion to Frostburg.

Glasbrenner earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He went on to earn his CPA license in 2019. For two years prior to moving back to his hometown of Frostburg, Md., Glasbrenner worked at Squire, Lemkin & Company under fellow FSU alumna Tracy M. Morey '04, CPA.

As a supporter of FSU, Glasbrenner often returns to watch basketball games, volunteer at Homecoming and visit old friends. He also hires interns from the Accounting Department, and his most recent intern, Andrew, is now a full-time employee at H&G CPAs. Glasbrenner also established the Hamm & Glasbrenner CPAs Accounting Scholarship.

Glasbrenner is a board member at Mountain Laurel Medical Center, and he volunteers with Allegany County United Way. He is also a former member of the FSU Alumni Association.

When Glasbrenner is not in the office or serving the community, he is at home in Cumberland with his wife Cheyenne, daughter Joey, and two dogs. You can also find him on the golf course, playing basketball or enjoying a night out with friends.

Zach Heeter M'16

Zach Heeter M'16 is the Mission Advancement Director of National Lutheran Communities & Services and a masters degree graduate of Frostburg State University's Interdisciplinary Program. He has fundraised over $10 million for non-profit causes including benevolent care, international relief, and scholarships.

Heeter began his career at FSU first as an admissions counselor, where he met with students from around the world to recruit them to come to FSU. He then went on to become a development officer to fundraise for student support. After working at FSU, Heeter and his wife, Rae, started a scholarship to help assist first generation college students.

He is a board member of the Chesapeake Planned Giving Council and serves on his church council at St. Luke's Lutheran Church on the Avenue.

Heeter and his wife live in Baltimore with two children under two and their fluffy Bernadoodle, Feta.

Diane Watson Hurd '87

Diane (Watson) Hurd '87 grew up in Prince George County Maryland. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in social work, and while at FSU, she was a member of the Women’s Track and Field team from 1983 – 1987. As a sprinter, Hurd became a 13-time All American and a member of the 1986 4x100 meter relay National Championship team.

Professionally, Hurd works for the State of Maryland at The Maryland Department of Human Services as a Family Investment Case Manager. She is very active in her community and has served on various non-profit boards. Hurd first began her community service as a Track and Field Coach for the Excel Youth Track Program with the North Carroll Recreation Council. She has seen the participants of her youth program go on to have thriving track and field careers at Division I colleges and some even received invitations to try out for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team. While serving on the rec council, Hurd was a coach, program coordinator, board member and a Grievance Committee member. She helped to build recreational programs, encouraged volunteerism and stimulated the principles of youth sportsmanship.

Hurd is a Board Member of the Carroll Arts Council where she helps to enrich the community, both culturally and economically, by supporting a wide variety of arts opportunities for the residents, visitors and artists. Being a member of this Board for the past three years has allowed her to have a voice in the overall cultural experiences of all who live in or visit Carroll County, Md.

Hurd joined the Carroll County Maryland Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and she worked actively to coordinate and manage events such as the Freedom Fund Banquet and the MLK Breakfast. Additionally, she helped promote Voter’s Registration Drives and Smoking Awareness Programs. While a member of the NAACP, the divide between races became more apparent and the goal to educate and find ways to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination became more of her focus. This led her to become a co-founder and President of Speak On It Act On It, Inc., a 501c 3.

Recognizing the need to dive deeper into the community with respect to diversity and equality, the mission of the non-profit is “To encourage Carroll County, Md. residents of African American descent to embrace and share their culture and history. To Speak and Act on injustices faced by their children and within their communities. To be an agent of change.” The organization hosted the first ever Juneteenth in Carroll event, and it has created strong relationships with local colleges, companies and other non-profit organizations. Hurd sees Speak On It Act On It, Inc. as her most accomplished feat to date. Through the organization and her other community involvement, she hopes to be able to make a positive impact on everyone she meets.

Hurd currently resides in Manchester Md., and is married to Maynard Hurd, III '87. They have two beautiful daughters, Alexis Symone (Hurd) Johnson and Erika Nichol Hurd.

Kristofer T. Lyon '91

Kristofer T. Lyon '91 is a retired executive and serial entrepreneur focused on helping others achieve success. His primary role today is managing KM1 Capital, a private investment company with portfolio holdings in real estate, public equities, private equity, venture capital and several operating companies.

Lyon's largest portfolio company is Carmel Solutions, a high-growth financial technology firm that reduces the complexity in managing funds, data and servicing between credit issuers, financial institutions and private capital. He founded the company in 2009, served as CEO until 2016, and serves as Chairman today.

Prior to starting Carmel, Lyon held executive positions in the financial services industry at Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo, leadership positions in higher education at American Public University and Loyola College in Maryland, was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Phoenix and worked in international development as a finance manager for a Johns Hopkins University program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

He earned his B.S. in Political Science from FSU, his MBA in Finance from Johns Hopkins University (2000), his Master's Certificate in Project Management from Villanova University (2002) and is a CPA in both Maryland and Florida.

Lyon met his wife, Melanie (Martinelli) Lyon '90, in photography class in FSU’s Pullen Hall in 1989 and the couple were married in 1991. They have six grown children and have lived in Stuart, Fl., since 2019.

Kathryn Kaori Williams '00

During Kathryn Kaori Williams '00 time at FSU, she actively participated in various activities and organizations. As a member of the track & field team, she competed in shotput, discus, javelin and hammer events. Williams also worked in the Lane University Center as part of the technical crew, joined the choir and became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Lambda Lota Chapter in 1998.

After completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education/Health Fitness, she worked as a personal trainer for two years. Since then, Williams has transitioned into a career with the federal government and has been a federal civil servant for 22 years.

Her journey in the federal government began with the General Services Administration (GSA) Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program where she served as an Information Technology Specialist from 2001-2008. Not only did this intern program allow her to enhance her IT skills, but it also provided opportunities for teaching, traveling and leading projects.

After completing the GSA Fellows program, Williams joined the Pension Benefits Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) as a Human Resources Program Manager for IT Systems, a role she remained in from 2008-2016. In this role, which further solidified her expertise in both IT and HR, she led the implementation of human resources management systems and collaborated with human resources project teams to integrate new technologies into the organization.

After graduating summa cum laude from Capella University in 2017 with a Master of Science degree in Human Resources Management, Williams relocated to Atlanta, Ga., to embark on a career with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Human Resources. Currently, she is a Senior Program Manager of Human Resources Management Systems. Within the capacity of this position, her responsibilities encompass leading change initiatives, managing personnel and achieving tangible outcomes. Moreover, Williams serves as a consultant and technical advisor, offering guidance on operational strategies and implementing measures to enhance leadership capabilities and staff dedication in the realm of human capital and HR programs.

In 2016, Williams established the Phillip Charles Lee 2001 Scholarship with the FSU Founcation to commemorate her close friend and to provide financial support to other students in their educational pursuits. Alongside her professional career, Williams prioritizes spending time with her family, cooking, participating as an usher at her church and overseeing the operations of her sneaker recycling company, Kathy Recycles Sneakers, LLC.

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