Four new members appointed to the Malone University Board of Trustees
Malone University would like to welcome four new members to their Board of Trustees. These individuals are committed to the Malone mission, and are eager to support the Institution’s ongoing work.
Board members are appointed to serve for terms that are three years in length and are eligible to serve for as many as three terms.
“It is truly an exciting time to be serving Malone and our students, and I’m encouraged by the wealth of knowledge that our new board members will bring to the table,” said President Gregory J. Miller, Ph.D. “We continue to draw leaders who are committed to our mission of serving the Church, community, and world, and I am excited to work with all of our board members as they contribute to our ongoing strategic discussions. I’m also deeply grateful for the ways they advocate for Malone in their individual circles of influence.”
Joining the Malone Board of Trustees in October are the following:
Brian Karmie co-founder, ForeverLawn, the producer and designer of premium synthetic grass products and solutions. In 2004, Brian and his brother, Dale Karmie, founded ForeverLawn in Albuquerque, NM. In 2007, they moved their families and the growing business back to Ohio. A small, three-room office in Hartville with four team members quickly transformed into a 12,000 sq ft office building in Marlboro township with more than 80 team members.
The Karmies desire not only to be people of impact, but to also develop people of impact in their daily work. ForeverLawn’s business is built on the core values of integrity, quality, and innovation, and holds principles above profits. Their workplace culture is shaped by the Five ForeverLawn F’s: Faith, Family, Friends, Freedom, Fun, (and Grit).
Tim Powell has been an integral part of Wally Armour Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Alliance since 2004. He has held a management role since 2007 at a dealership that has
consistently maintained its status as Stark County’s leading volume dealership.
Beyond his work in the automotive industry, Powell and his wife, Sabrina, have been involved in real estate through their company, Feels Like Home Properties, since 2008. Together, they
share a passion for serving others and have spent years working with youth ministries, college and career groups, and providing marriage and pre-marriage counseling.
Kimberley Vandegrift ʼ91 is an experienced litigation paralegal with Milligan Pusateri Co.
LPA. She stewards the medical malpractice defense work of the firm. Vandegrift’s extensive
experience in litigation has been integral in the growth of the practice and retention of its largest client. Her 30 years of experience have also provided opportunities to assist in a variety of legal matters involving insurance defense, railroad litigation, construction, and corporate defense work.
Vandegrift graduated from Malone with a B.A. in Communication Arts. Her studies included a semester in Washington, DC in the American Studies Program. During her time at Malone, Vandegrift was involved in a variety of leadership roles in Malone’s student organizations. More recently, Vandegrift’s involvement with Malone included a four-year term on the Malone Alumni Executive Board, where she served as President from 2016-2017.
Jason D. Yost '99, CPA, JD, has been involved in the healthcare field since 2009 as an attorney for US Acute Care Solutions in Canton, Ohio. He currently serves as a member of the legal department as Vice President, Employment and Litigation Counsel, and is responsible for a wide range of legal functions. Prior to this, Yost served as legal counsel to a handful of other Stark County businesses.
Yost has attended First Friends Church since his days at Malone, and is a member of the Marriage and Family Ministry team, a past member of the Finance committee, and leads an adult small group. Yost's board experience consists of the Malone Alumni Association and Finding Home, Inc. Jason is also one of 13 family members who have attended Malone.