
Emmet Howle


About Emmet
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.


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.”
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.”
Three Core CAA Missions
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.
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.
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.”
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:
- 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.
- 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:
- Preserve the character of the Corps of Cadets by supporting the traditions, values, and principled leadership development that define our alma mater.
- Strengthen collaboration between the CAA, the Alumni, Administration, and The Citadel and Brigadier
Foundations to promote our shared mission. - 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
Get involved now

“A happy family is but an earlier heaven.”
— George Bernard ShawEndorsements
Person | Person | Person |
---|---|---|
Joe Culbreth '54 | Alec Giles '83 | Allen Mitchell '91 |
Bob Dixon '61 | LTC Clint Burrell '83 | MAJ Scott Massey '92 |
Jim Cherry '61 | John Moorman '83 | Chuck Lawless '94 |
Tony Goldin '61 | Mark Stephens '84 | Harvin Barnes '94 |
David Anderson '62 | Edwin Martin '84 | Shawn McClesky '99 |
Steve Clifford '66 | Chris Clark '85 | Philip Sawyer '02 |
DG McIntyre '67 | COL Jimmy Nicholson, SCM, '85 | John Chase '02 |
LtCol John Munn '67 | Johnny Reeves '85 | Neal Pinson '04 |
COL Russ Olsen '69 | LG Tom James '85 | Charles Vernon '05 |
Lex Knox '69 | Ulises Carrillo '85 | Hampton Jordan '05 |
Mike Rogers '70 | Rev Al Ivens '85 | Michael Glenn '05 |
Dan Merle '71 | COL Jenks Reid '85 | CDR Ryan Birkelbach ‘05 |
Claude Saleeby '71 | Col Tom Clark '85 | Zack Haney '05 |
COL Gene Pinson, SCM, '72 | Steve Hartnett '85 | Stephanie Allen '06 |
Ray Truluck '73 | John Darby '85 | Thomas Hughes '06 |
F. Carey Budds '73 | COL Scott Pacello '85 | John Thompson '06 |
Col. Chris Cook '74 | Greg Lapointe '85 | Berry Mattox '06 |
Chet Wingate '74 | Bubba Graham '85 | Brett Miller '07 |
Vann Lott '74 | Clark Smith '85 | Brian Elender '09 |
Kevin Elmore '74 | Pete Norman '85 | Rachelle Riegerix '12 |
Fred Keefer '74 | James Duggan '85 | 1LT Eric Donaldson '13 |
COL Fred Price, SCM, '75 | Paul Gawrych '85 | Allen Wilson '14 |
Rick Crosby ‘75 | LTC Todd Laliberte '85 | Buck Coleman '14 |
John Chase ‘75 | Lee Chapman '86 | Jillian Meyer '14 |
Henry Johnson '75 | Luke Kissam '86 | Taylor Addison '14 |
MajGen Mike Regner '76 | COL David Rosenblum '86 | Cal Rhoden '14 |
David Compton '77 | Eddie Hammett '86 | Emmet Howle, IV '16 |
Rob Hoak '78 | Jamie Shoemaker '86 | Jeff Bennedict '16 |
COL Alvin Perkins '79 | William Moorman '86 | Briggs Schoen '16 |
CAPT John Orem '79 | COL Laurence Hutto '87 | Taylor Jurney '16 |
Mike Wiggins '79 | John Brandon '87 | Dane Anderson '16 |
Tommy Jordan '79 | Jim Uschelbec '87 | Craig Miller '16 |
Col Leo Mercado '79 | Bill Horner '87 | Hugh Mc Faddin '17 |
LTC Will Culbreath '79 | Jeff Plumley '88 | Jack Taylor '17 |
CAPT Tony Albano '79 | Robert Patton '88 | Jay Davis '18 |
Eric Wooten '79 | Steve Summers '88 | Grant Miller '18 |
Andy Warlick '79 | Col Ched Beam '89 | Capt David Days '19 |
Bill Wilson '79 | LTC Bernard Benson '89 | Sara Mauney '22 |
CDR Brian Keefer ‘79 | LTC Matt Gore '89 | Jake Hunter '23 |
Fred Whittle '80 | Chris Maxon '90 | Mac Stuckey '24 |
Marty Cook '80 | Norm Poole '90 | John Copeland '24 |
Carl Steinhoff '81 | Deric Boston '91 | Camden Adams '24 |
Ken Pickens '82 | Blake Edmunds '91 | Zoe Crecos '25 |
LTC Neil Couch ‘82 | CAPT Mark Kleinhenz '91 |
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“I wholeheartedly support you! I’m going to join the CAA just so I can vote for you.”