Jim G. McGuire is a first-generation graduate of Southeastern. He earned his degree in Business Administration in 1982. He then earned an MBA in Finance from Saint Louis University. Mr. McGuire is retired from AT&T, where he served as Corporate Vice President. He and his wife, Cherryl Taylor McGuire (SE Class of ’82) make their home in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Heather Hillburn Burrage graduated from Colbert High School in 1995, Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1999, and went on to graduate, with honors, from the University of Oklahoma College of Law with a Juris Doctorate in 2002. She began her practice of law in Durant in 2002 with the establishment of Burrage Law Firm. Heather is a member of the Bryan County Bar Association and the Oklahoma Bar Association. She has been named as a top 100 Super Lawyer in the State of Oklahoma for numerous years. Heather is a member of the Durant Education and Service Sorority and PEO Chapter GV. Along with her service to the Board of Directors for the Southeastern Foundation, Heather also serves the Texoma Community Foundation and Communities Foundation of Oklahoma. Heather was named as a Journal Record 40 Under 40 and 50 Women Making a Difference. Heather specializes in general litigation and trial practice, probate, and estate planning.
Brian K. Mantzey is a 1996 graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a degree in Banking and Finance. He received the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award while attending Southeastern. Mr. Mantzey currently serves as the North Texas Market President for Shamrock Bank NA. He and his wife, Teresa, live in McKinney, TX. And they have two sons.
Amanda Johnson serves as executive director of education for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, where she leads 23 programs serving more than 38,000 students nationwide from early childhood education to higher education and workforce training. She also oversees a Bureau of Indian Education residential school and the School of Choctaw Language. The Choctaw language is currently taught in 48 public schools and three universities across the Choctaw Nation Reservation.
Throughout her 21 years of service to the Choctaw Nation, Amanda has held various roles in education and commerce. She actively contributes to several advisory councils and boards focused on community and education. A first-generation college graduate, Amanda earned a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science in 2014 and a master’s degree in Native American Leadership in 2017, both from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
Jenny Sanchez is the President of Cherokee Communications. She graduated from William Woods University but continued her education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She works alongside her husband, Samuel Sanchez, a Southeastern graduate. They have one son, Gaius. Jenny enjoys her time serving on several boards and organizations in our community.
Adrian Beverage resides in Moore, Oklahoma, and serves as President /CEO of the Oklahoma Bankers Association. Mr. Beverage is a 1995 graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a double major in Political Science and Communications. He was also a member of the men’s basketball team at Southeastern.
Sharla J. Frost is a distinguished attorney, community leader, and proud alumna of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She brings more than three decades of professional excellence and civic engagement to her role on the Southeastern Foundation Board. A native of Frogville, Oklahoma, Ms. Frost earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Speech Communication from Southeastern in 1984 and her Juris Doctor from Baylor Law School in 1987. As a nationally recognized trial lawyer, Ms. Frost has served as first-chair counsel in dozens of complex civil cases. She holds the AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating from Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating for ethics and professional ability, and has been named a Texas Super Lawyer for multiple years. Her professional service includes leadership as President of the Litigation Counsel of America. Beyond the courtroom, Ms. Frost has served as Chair of the Oklahoma Southeast Economic Development Organization, where she championed regional revitalization and sustainable growth. She is the author of Power at the Table and Power at the Table 2, a work on leadership and empowerment inspired by her own professional journey. She is also an Amazon best-selling author of the *Frogville: Quest* children's series. Her dedication to Southeastern Oklahoma and its students underscores her enduring commitment to educational access, leadership, and community advancement. She was honored as a Distinguished Alumna in 2004.
Karl James Karl is a graduate of Henryetta High School and received undergraduate degrees from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Mathematics and Accounting. He received an MBA from Houston Baptist University and is an Oklahoma Certified Public Accountant. He began his professional career with Conoco in Ponca City, OK, and has held positions of increased responsibility in Accounting and Finance with Conoco, ConocoPhillips, Freeport LNG, and Phillips 66. Leveraging his business acumen and financial skills, Karl has served in operating and headquarters leadership roles in OK, TX, LA, and AK across Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream segments of the energy industry. He retired from Phillips 66 in 2022. Karl volunteers with and has served on boards and committees of civic and faith-based organizations in the communities where he has lived and worked. He and his wife Michell reside in Midlothian, TX, and are parents of Kevin, Meagan, and Clara.
Brandon Johnson has been with First United Bank for more than 20 years and currently serves as the Southeast Oklahoma Regional Market President. He lives in Durant, Oklahoma, with his wife, Tammy, and their three children: Breydon, Brody, and Tynley. Brandon enjoys hunting, fishing, and traveling with his family. An Eagle Scout, Brandon earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2002. He has completed the Oklahoma Bankers Association Consumer Lending School and the American Bankers Association Commercial Lending School and is a 2011 graduate of the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. Brandon currently serves on the boards of the Durant Chamber of Commerce, Legacy Christian School, and AllianceHealth – Durant.
Jared Johnson graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southeastern in 1999 with a degree in Finance. Mr. Johnson lives in Denison, TX. where he serves as Community Bank President of First United Bank.
Melissa Perrin serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Culture Officer at First United Bank, where she focuses on Stakeholder engagement, brand voice, develops organizational culture, and has built and brought to life the “Spend Life Wisely” aspect of the organization. Melissa began her career with First United in 2004, and in her current role, she oversees Culture, Human Resources, Learning and Development, Marketing, Communications, and Facilities and Real Estate. Melissa holds a degree in Public Relations and Communication from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Human Resource Management course, the Stagen Integral Leadership Program, and a two-time graduate of the Stagen Advanced Leadership Program. Melissa has been honored as one of Conscious Company’s 35 World-Changing Women and as one of D Magazine’s Women of Influence. Melissa and her husband, Josh, have two daughters. Outside of the bank, she enjoys spending time with her family and serving her community.
J. Scott Pruitt currently resides with his wife Renee in Prosper, Texas. He graduated from Southeastern in 1986 with a degree in Accounting and minors in Business and Computer Science. Mr. Pruitt was employed for nearly 38 years by Phillips 66 and its predecessor companies, ConocoPhillips and Conoco Inc. He retired from the position of Vice President and Controller of Phillips 66 in 2024, and is currently a licensed Certified Public Accountant.
