Chapter Officers
President: Don Jordan
charlotterattlers@gmail.com
Bio: Don Jordan is a 1984 graduate with a B.S degree in Data Processing (now known as Computer Information Systems). He was born and raised in the sprawling Tallahassee “suburb” better known as Midway, FL. He is one of the founding members of the Charlotte-Metro chapter in 1993 and has served as President on 2 different occasions: 1993-1998 and 2019-2024. Mr. Jordan is a 2015 recipient of the National Distinguished Alumni Award and a Lifetime member of the National Alumni Association.
Don spent the 1st 20+ years of his career as a Programmer/Application Developer before making a career change to become a Business Analyst in 2007. He is currently employed as a BA working for W. W. Norton, Inc. based in New York city. Don considers himself a sports enthusiast in that he enjoys all three major sports (football, baseball and basketball) as well as golf and tennis. Aside from FAMU athletics, his favorite sport is the NFL and his favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys.
Don’s top priorities in life are (in order): 1) Faith, 2) Family/Friends, 3) FAMU, 4) Everything else. Don and his wife, Miriam, have 2 beautiful daughters, Erica and Dionne, and he has an older beautiful daughter named Shaundria as well.
Duties:
In the absence or disability of the President, or upon the President’s request, performs the duties of the President
No presidential appointments can be made while serving as the temporary presiding officer
Steers and guides both standing and appointed committees
Leads special projects at the designation of the President and Executive Board
Fosters communication with NC/SC FAMU Alumni Association chapter presidents
Kopper Thatch, Vice President
Vice President: Kopper Thatch
charlotterattlers.vicepres@gmail.com
Bio: Kopper Thatch, MHA is a healthcare operations leader from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and an alumna of Florida A&M University, where she earned her Master of Healthcare Administration in 2019. She currently works in managed care for a large Medicaid health plan, leading the health equity resource coordination, community partnerships team.
With 21+ years of healthcare experience spanning payer, provider, and clinical settings, Kopper is recognized for building high-performing teams, strengthening compliance and operational frameworks, and partnering cross-functionally to deliver sustainable improvements at scale.
She is passionate about health equity, health and fitness, financial literacy, and community service, grounded in her belief that health is wealth. Outside of work, Kopper enjoys picnics with her future Rattler daughter, reading, cycling, volunteering, traveling, serving at her church, and cheering on FAMU athletics, the NBA, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Duties:
In the absence or disability of the President, or upon the President’s request, performs the duties of the President
No presidential appointments can be made while serving as the temporary presiding officer
Steers and guides both standing and appointed committees
Leads special projects at the designation of the President and Executive Board
Fosters communication with NC/SC FAMU Alumni Association chapter presidents
Marlene Lawson, Secretary
Secretary: Marlene Lawson
charlotterattlers.secretary@gmail.com
Duties:
Record and file records of the minutes of all meetings
Send meeting agendas meetings to the general body at least 2 days in advance
Provide copies of the minutes to active members within 7 days of adoption
Provide copies of the membership and executive board meeting agendas, and maintain a repository of the minutes, sign-in sheets, copies of contracts, and other pertinent business documents for the Chapter
Form 990
Bylaws
Dr. Layla McCall Stafford, Treasurer
Treasurer: Dr. Layla McCall Stafford
charlotterattlers.treasurer@gmail.com
Dr. Layla McCall Stafford is serving as our Treasurer. This Baxley, GA native is a 2000 graduate of FAMU. She, along with her husband and 2 children, lives in Harrisburg, NC. This life member is also a 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awardee in the area of community service presented by the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association, which is the highest award presented to alumni in their respective fields.
Duties:
Receive and disburse the Chapter’s funds
Complete membership reports
Complete fundraising report annually
Coordinate transferring of accounts at the end of a term
Ensure disbursements are made in accordance with the guidelines in the Chapter’s annual budget and approved by the membership
Submit the current financial statement during each executive board and membership meeting
Submit an annual financial report at the May general membership meeting of the Chapter and send a copy to the Association
Parliamentarian
Parliamentarian:
Duties:
Provide answers on parliamentary procedures and constitutional issues
Serve on the Constitution and Bylaws Committee
Provide parliamentary opinions to the President when requested
Donarah Sheppard, Chaplain
Chaplain: Donarah Sheppard
Donarah Sheppard was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida. A third generation rattler, she graduated from Florida A&M University with her B.S. in Music with a concentration in voice. During her matriculation on The Hill, Donarah served as:
•Member, Chaplain and Director of FAMU Gospel Choir
•Member and Section Leader of FAMU Concert Choir
•Spring 2017 initiate of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
•Senior Class President of the Graduating Class of FAMU'18
By vocation, Donarah is a proud music educator, teaching piano and voice. With a passion for the spiritual enrichment of her community, Donarah currently serves as the youth director of her local church, as well as youth leader in her church's national denomination. Among her achievements, Donarah's greatest achievement is her personal relationship with Christ, and spreading His love with others.
Duties:
Provide Spiritual guidance for the Chapter
Lead the opening prayer during all Chapter sponsored meetings/events
Lead the closing prayer during all Chapter sponsored meetings/events