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Candidate For Vice President

Emmet Howle

Citadel Alumni Association
Go Dogs
Emmet Howle

Emmet Howle, a proud alumnus of The Citadel (Class of 1985), brings a wealth of leadership experience, deep alumni engagement, and a lifelong commitment to the college’s values, making him an exceptional candidate for Vice President.

With a proven track record in business, extensive involvement in Citadel alumni activities (two-term CAA District Director), and a passion for preserving the college’s traditions while considering evolving perspectives, Emmet is poised to strengthen the alumni community and advance The Citadel’s mission.

About Emmet
About Emmet

Emmet N. Howle, III ’85
Life Member

CAA Board of Directors
District 12
3325 Fielding Avenue
Charlotte, N.C. 28211-3957

“Emmet has the leadership and work ethic to take our CAA to a new level of proficiency. He has my most enthusiastic endorsement.”

— MG Mike Regner, USMC, Ret., ‘76

Education:

B.S. Business Administration, The Citadel, 1985.

Citadel Activities:

Alpha Company Rocket Cadet; The Sphinx, Advertisements Editor 1985; President’s Cup, 3 Years; Summerall Cup; 3 Years. The Citadel Rod and Gun Club.

Alumni Involvement:

Citadel Alumni Association, Life Member and current CAA Director District 12; Current member of the CAA Ring Committee and Finance Committee; 40th Reunion Representative; Battalion Representative for the Our Mighty Citadel Campaign; Citadel Volunteer; Brigadier Club Member and Contributor; The Citadel Foundation Contributor.

Occupations:

National Sales Manager, Wilmar, Inc. in Charlotte, North Carolina

Vice President/Partner, Carolina Upfitters, LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina

Memberships & Offices Held:

Citadel Alumni Association, Life Member; current Director for District 12; Theta Commission, Kappa Alpha Order, Life Member; Kappa Alpha Crimson and Gold Society; Charlotte Citadel Club; The Stray Dog Society; Myers Park Presbyterian Church; and Belle Acres Golf and Country Club.

Awards & Honors – Civilian:

Multiple local, regional, and national OEM sales, performance, and customer satisfaction awards (Mercedes Benz and Ford Motor Company) throughout my four-decade career in the retail, commercial, fleet, variable, and fixed operations segments of the automotive industry.

Personal:

Married to my soulmate, Glenda Howle (nee Young) of Charlotte, NC.
Son, Jordan Williams, his wife Stephanie, and grandson Booker (’47?).
Son, Emmet, IV, Class of ’16 (Alpha Company, Southern Conference Football Champion 2015 and Gamecock de-featherer) and his wife Hallie.

Candidate’s Statement:

If elected, I pledge to represent all Citadel alumni with pride and integrity, ensuring our voices are heard and respected by the Association and Administration. The customs, traditions, and values we embraced as cadets form a perpetual bond across generations. While our values are timeless, I recognize that perspectives evolve. I am committed to listening, learning, and thoughtfully representing all views of our alumni. I am humbled to have endorsements spanning eight decades of Citadel classes—an indication of broad-based support, trust, and confidence in my leadership.

I will support, promote, and advance the ideals and purposes of The Citadel; preserve the history, values and traditions of The Citadel, the Corps of Cadets, and our alumni; uphold and administer the honor of wearing The Citadel ring; and will work to ensure The Citadel remains the nation’s top senior military college producing principled, patriotic leaders while attracting the next generation of successful cadets.

“Emmet has the desire, experience, and perspective to serve as VP and eventually, lead the CAA as president.”

— Col Leo Mercado, USMC, Ret., ‘79

Three Core CAA Missions

1.

Ensure that the Corps of Cadets’ heritage, traditions, values, and character-developing environment endure and continue to cultivate principled, patriotic leaders who serve our nation.

2.

Foster and maintain a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship between the CAA, fellow alumni, and the administration, along with The Citadel and Brigadier Foundations to advance the ideals and purposes of The Citadel.

3.

Enhance CAA membership metrics and increase active alumni participation in all Citadel activities to support and strengthen the culture, network, and benefits of being a Citadel graduate and member of a preeminent alumni association.

“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Emmet for almost 20 years, and I can say without hesitation that he leads with integrity, experience, and a sincere dedication to serving others. These aren’t just qualities on paper—they’re who he is at his core. No one I know loves The Citadel more or holds its traditions in higher regard, and I truly believe he’s the kind of leader who can help guide the CAA to a stronger, more unified future. I’m proud to call him my friend, a brother, and a fellow alumnus.”

— Charles Vernon '05

Letter to Alumni

Dear Bulldogs,

My name is Emmet Howle ‘85, and it is an honor to inform you that I am running for Vice President of the CAA. I’ve lived in Charlotte for the past 37 years, but I’m a proud native of Columbia, S.C. I am happily married to Glenda, and we have two sons: Jordan and Emmet IV ’16 (Southern Conference Champion and Gamecock de-featherer). Most weekends, you can find us at our farm near Cheraw, S.C.

Professionally, I’ve spent four decades in the automotive industry and currently serve as National Sales Manager for Wilmar, Inc., a leading commercial and fleet management company. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on achieving results, developing operational efficiencies, executing strategic initiatives, and fostering professional growth rooted in cultivating strong relationships and generating new opportunities across all revenue streams.

My life has been guided by three tenets: faith, family, and The Citadel. The lessons learned and friendships forged grounded in mutual sacrifice, trust, respect, and honor, have shaped my character. As cadets, we upheld these core values; as graduates, we live and lead by them with even stronger conviction.

If elected, I pledge to represent all Citadel alumni with pride and integrity, ensuring our voices are heard and respected by the Association and Administration. The customs, traditions, and values embraced as cadets create an unbreakable bond across generations. While our values are timeless, I recognize that perspectives evolve. I am committed to listening, learning, and thoughtfully representing all views of our alumni. I am humbled to have endorsements spanning eight decades of Citadel classes—an indication of broad-based support, trust, and confidence in my leadership.

I have reviewed, understand, and will support the objectives of the Citadel Alumni Association (CAA) as defined in its Bylaws. If given the privilege to serve, I will:

  1. Support, promote, and advance the ideals and purposes of The Citadel.
  2. Preserve the history, values, and traditions of The Citadel, the Corps of Cadets, and our alumni.
  3. Help uphold and administer the honor of wearing The Citadel ring.

I will also fulfill my fiduciary responsibilities as a Board member while maintaining consistent communication with Citadel Club Presidents, CAA members, and alumni regarding key developments, activities, and achievements. In addition, I will focus on three core missions:

  1. Preserve the character of the Corps of Cadets by supporting the traditions, values, and principled leadership development that define our alma mater.
  2. Strengthen collaboration between the CAA, the Alumni, Administration, and The Citadel and Brigadier
    Foundations to promote our shared mission.
  3. Expand alumni engagement by improving CAA membership and increasing active participation across all classes of both cadets and students to support the strength and network of our alumni community.

Now, in the twilight of my professional career, I have the time, energy, and unwavering commitment to serve. I will work to ensure The Citadel remains the nation’s premier senior military college that continues to produce principled, patriotic leaders and attracts the next generation of successful cadets.

Most Sincerely,
Emmet
Emmet Howle, III ‘85

Family Photo

“A happy family is but an earlier heaven.”

— George Bernard Shaw
Thank you to my wonderful family, Citadel classmates, and alumni for making me a better man, father, son, husband, friend, and Citadel ambassador. — Emmet Howle

Endorsements

Endorsements (partial list)
Scroll to see all
PersonPersonPerson
Joe Culbreth '54Alec Giles '83Allen Mitchell '91
Bob Dixon '61LTC Clint Burrell '83MAJ Scott Massey '92
Jim Cherry '61John Moorman '83Chuck Lawless '94
Tony Goldin '61Mark Stephens '84Harvin Barnes '94
David Anderson '62Edwin Martin '84Shawn McClesky '99
Steve Clifford '66Chris Clark '85Philip Sawyer '02
DG McIntyre '67COL Jimmy Nicholson, SCM, '85John Chase '02
LtCol John Munn '67Johnny Reeves '85Neal Pinson '04
COL Russ Olsen '69LG Tom James '85Charles Vernon '05
Lex Knox '69Ulises Carrillo '85Hampton Jordan '05
Mike Rogers '70Rev Al Ivens '85Michael Glenn '05
Dan Merle '71COL Jenks Reid '85CDR Ryan Birkelbach ‘05
Claude Saleeby '71Col Tom Clark '85Zack Haney '05
COL Gene Pinson, SCM, '72Steve Hartnett '85Stephanie Allen '06
Ray Truluck '73John Darby '85Thomas Hughes '06
F. Carey Budds '73COL Scott Pacello '85John Thompson '06
Col. Chris Cook '74Greg Lapointe '85Berry Mattox '06
Chet Wingate '74Bubba Graham '85Brett Miller '07
Vann Lott '74Clark Smith '85Brian Elender '09
Kevin Elmore '74Pete Norman '85Rachelle Riegerix '12
Fred Keefer '74James Duggan '851LT Eric Donaldson '13
COL Fred Price, SCM, '75Paul Gawrych '85Allen Wilson '14
Rick Crosby ‘75LTC Todd Laliberte '85Buck Coleman '14
John Chase ‘75Lee Chapman '86Jillian Meyer '14
Henry Johnson '75Luke Kissam '86Taylor Addison '14
MajGen Mike Regner '76COL David Rosenblum '86Cal Rhoden '14
David Compton '77Eddie Hammett '86Emmet Howle, IV '16
Rob Hoak '78Jamie Shoemaker '86Jeff Bennedict '16
COL Alvin Perkins '79William Moorman '86Briggs Schoen '16
CAPT John Orem '79COL Laurence Hutto '87Taylor Jurney '16
Mike Wiggins '79John Brandon '87Dane Anderson '16
Tommy Jordan '79Jim Uschelbec '87Craig Miller '16
Col Leo Mercado '79Bill Horner '87Hugh Mc Faddin '17
LTC Will Culbreath '79Jeff Plumley '88Jack Taylor '17
CAPT Tony Albano '79Robert Patton '88Jay Davis '18
Eric Wooten '79Steve Summers '88Grant Miller '18
Andy Warlick '79Col Ched Beam '89Capt David Days '19
Bill Wilson '79LTC Bernard Benson '89Sara Mauney '22
CDR Brian Keefer ‘79LTC Matt Gore '89Jake Hunter '23
Fred Whittle '80Chris Maxon '90Mac Stuckey '24
Marty Cook '80Norm Poole '90John Copeland '24
Carl Steinhoff '81Deric Boston '91Camden Adams '24
Ken Pickens '82Blake Edmunds '91Zoe Crecos '25
LTC Neil Couch ‘82 CAPT Mark Kleinhenz '91

Photos

“I wholeheartedly support you! I’m going to join the CAA just so I can vote for you.”

— Clark Smith ‘85

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