Photo: (Top) Jennifer Collins, Bob Sasser, Terrence Williams Jr., Leslie Webber and James “Chef” Barlow. (Middle) Lauren Albaum, Larry Hogan, Mary Katherine “Cricket” Mannheimer, Eduardo Pérez and Andrea Friall. (Bottom) Delores Spearman, Guy Spearman, Ashlee Fontes, Zach Heng and Kenneth Cagnolatti.
Florida State University will recognize 15 outstanding alumni during Homecoming weekend, Oct. 31–Nov. 2.
“Our 2025 honorees exemplify what it means to be a graduate of Florida State University,” said Julie Decker, associate vice president for University Advancement, Alumni Engagement and president of the FSU Alumni Association. “They inspire our students, uphold the values of leadership and excellence that define the Seminole spirit and embody the lifelong bond shared with FSU. Through their achievements and dedication, these alumni continue to strengthen our university and make it better every day.”
The FSU Alumni Awards ceremony will take place on Friday, Oct. 31, at Goodwood Museum & Gardens. The event will honor 11 distinguished alumni, including recipients of the Reubin O’D. Askew Young Alumni, The Inspire, Circle of Gold and The Bernard F. Sliger awards.
Guy and Delores Spearman
The event honors alumni from across the university, including Guy and Delores Spearman, who have been key supporters of the College of Social Work, including helping to establish the Arts and Athletics Program and sponsoring the college's 2025 Scholarships and Awards dinner, also being held on October 30, during FSU Homecoming weekend.
On Saturday, Nov. 1, the FSU Homecoming Breakfast, presented in partnership with the FSU Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), will celebrate four recipients of the Grads Made Good award at Bricks & Brass.
The Reubin O’D. Askew Young Alumni Award honors alumni age 35 or younger whose achievements exemplify outstanding professional success and a commitment to service. The 2025 Askew Award honorees are:
Lauren Albaum (B.M. ’11) serves as vice president of student affairs at Florida Southern College, overseeing more than 100 staff and 15 functional areas. A Notable Nole, she is recognized nationally for transformative leadership in higher education and widely honored for her civic engagement, including leading literacy initiatives and serving as president and CEO of the Junior League of Greater Lakeland.
Kenneth Cagnolatti (B.S. ’21) is a private wealth client performance analyst at Wells Fargo Advisors, where he has worked with ultra-high-net-worth clients managing billions in assets. A Certified Financial Planner™, he also is deeply committed to mentoring and community engagement, having founded Invest A Nole and led service programs through Kappa Alpha Psi and Progressive Black Men Inc.
Terrence Williams Jr. (B.S. ’13, MPA ’14) is director of contracts at GE Aerospace, where he leads negotiations on multimillion-dollar defense programs supporting global security. A first-generation graduate of FSU’s CARE program, he has excelled as a Florida Gubernatorial Fellow, mentor and motivational speaker, continuing to inspire future leaders through service and professional excellence.
The Inspire Award recognizes graduates who have distinguished themselves as leaders in their professions while serving as role models for current and future students. The 2025 Inspire Award honorees are:
Ashlee Fontes (B.S. ’04, Ph.D. ’24) is a groundbreaking leader in the global soccer industry and an advocate for women in sports. She was the first woman of color to lead a U.S. professional sports franchise, co-founded the Girls Academy and served as president of United Soccer Coaches, the world’s largest coaching organization. At FSU, she has taught sport management courses, mentored students and established partnerships to expand professional opportunities for future leaders.
Delores SpearmanDelores Spearman (B.A. ’98, M.A. ’08) has dedicated her career to service and philanthropy, impacting both her community and Florida State University. A founder of Project Hunger through the United Way of Brevard, she has helped provide meals to more than 1,600 children weekly during the summer months. At FSU, she has served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Seminole Boosters Board and Presidential Search Committee, and with her husband, Guy, established the Guy and Delores Spearman Endowed Professorship and supported multiple scholarships and facilities.
The Circle of Gold honors alumni and friends of the university who, through their service and achievements, personify the university’s tradition of excellence. The 2025 Circle of Gold inductees are:
Jennifer Collins (B.S. ’93, J.D. ’06), a two-time FSU graduate, is an accomplished attorney and dedicated alumna. She co-founded and chaired the FSU Parent & Family Advancement Council and serves on the International Programs Council, helping foster a culture of philanthropy that strengthens the university community. Collins began her legal career as an assistant attorney general in Tallahassee before moving into private practice as a complex commercial litigator, where she earned recognition for her strategic insight and leadership. Her professional achievements and commitment to Florida State reflect a career defined by excellence, service and lasting impact.
Andrea Friall, M.D. (B.S. ’93) is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, physician leader and dedicated advocate for medical education. She was the first female physician at North Florida Women’s Care and now serves as vice president and chief medical officer at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. Her numerous roles at FSU include service on the Foundation Board of Trustees and presidential and dean search committees. She also established the Walter T. King Scholarship for aspiring physicians.
Zach Heng (B.S. ’07) is a visionary HR executive, nonprofit board director, entrepreneur, community advocate and speaker. He has been a driving force in building the FSU Asian American Alumni Network and served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Recognized nationally for his leadership, Heng continues to advance diversity and community engagement while supporting students and alumni as a mentor and advocate.
Mary Katherine “Cricket” Mannheimer (BFA ’81, M.S. ’94) has devoted nearly four decades to elevating FSU’s School of Dance. As co-founder and longtime leader of Friends of Dance, she helped establish the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography and has created opportunities for students, faculty and the arts community.
Bob Sasser (B.S. ’73), former CEO of Dollar Tree, guided the company’s growth into a Fortune 200 business. A member of the FSU College of Business Hall of Fame, former FSU Board of Trustee member and generous benefactor, Sasser has made transformative investments in Legacy Hall and student success.
The Bernard F. Sliger Award, the Alumni Association’s highest honor, is named for FSU’s 11th president and recognizes a lifetime of service to the university. The 2025 honoree is Guy Spearman.
Guy SpearmanGuy Spearman (MSW ’75) is the founder and president of Spearman Management in Cocoa, Florida. A former legislative aide in both the Florida House and Senate, he built a respected government relations firm that has served clients across industries for decades. Spearman has dedicated much of his life to advancing Florida State University, serving on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Seminole Boosters Board and the College of Social Work Advisory Council. He also played a role in selecting the university’s 15th president as part of the Presidential Search Committee. With his wife, Delores, he established the Guy and Delores Spearman Endowed Professorship and has supported scholarships, facilities and athletic programs, ensuring opportunities for generations of students. His leadership, philanthropy and loyalty to FSU embody the spirit of the Bernard F. Sliger Award.
FSU Homecoming Breakfast—Saturday, Nov. 1
The Grads Made Good Award recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions in their fields. The 2025 Grads Made Good Award recipients are:
James “Chef” Barlow (B.S. ’95) is a retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and entrepreneur who transformed military training. He founded Blue Air Training Corp., which pioneered the use of contracted pilots and aircraft to train joint terminal attack controllers and fighter pilots, creating a new global industry. The company has executed more than 45,000 airstrikes, trained allied forces worldwide and saved taxpayers more than $1 billion. Under his leadership, Blue Air Training earned repeated recognition on the Seminole 100 list and merged with Top Aces Inc. to become the world’s leading provider of contract air services.
Larry Hogan (B.S. ’78) served as governor of Maryland from 2015 to 2023, and he is recognized as one of the most popular bipartisan leaders in America. He cut taxes for eight straight years, turned a $5.1 billion deficit into a record surplus and chaired the National Governors Association, where he led national responses on infrastructure and the COVID-19 pandemic. Hogan was also chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and co-chair of No Labels.
Eduardo Pérez (B.S. ’89) is a marketing innovator and entrepreneur. He co-founded PM3, a nationally recognized Hispanic advertising agency acquired in 2021, and has been a leading voice in multicultural marketing. He now invests in startups, including EQUIHEMP, an emerging leader in hemp-based animal health products. Pérez serves on advisory boards for FSU’s College of Communication and Information and the Center for Hispanic Marketing. A lifelong athlete and passionate Seminole, he remains committed to advancing entrepreneurship and diversity.
Leslie Webber (BSN ’99) is director of nursing for pediatric emergency services at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, where she oversees the emergency, ECMO and flex teams. She has been honored as one of the Great 100 Nurses of Northeast Florida and received the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. Under her leadership, Wolfson’s emergency department earned the 2024 Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association, one of just 15 pediatric emergency rooms nationwide to receive the honor. A nurse for more than 25 years, Webber has advanced from bedside caregiver to executive leader while mentoring the next generation of nurses.
About the FSU Alumni Association
The FSU Alumni Association works to create meaningful connections between alumni and Florida State University, strengthening the alumni network and supporting students on campus every day. All graduates of FSU are members of the FSU Alumni Association; no dues are required. Alumni are encouraged to stay connected through the Alumni Association’s career resources, networking opportunities, mentorship programs, travel benefits and more.
