I. VANESSA PURNELL is the Executive Director of the SEPA Education Foundation. She is a graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law and Morgan State University. Ms. Purnell is a long time resident of the city of Baltimore, and has been involved in numerous community activities around the state of Maryland. She has over 30 years of experience in activities related to federal, state and local advocacy in healthcare industry. Ms. Purnell has utilized her experience in government relations at the local and federal level, public affairs, and corporate governance and social responsibility to implement events and fundraising activities for numerous non-profit organization, including the SEPA Education Foundation.
.___
.
THOMAS G. HICKS, SR. is the founder and former President and CEO of Sports & Entertainment Performers of America, Inc. in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Thomas Hicks is the Certified FIBA Agent for SEPA, Inc. Mr. Hicks currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the SEPA Education Foundation. He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and University of Baltimore School of Law. Mr. Hicks has a record of advocating for the “little guy.” He served as the Senior Attorney and Program Manager with the Resolution Trust Corporation’s (RTC) Office of Legal Programs in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. As the Program Manager in the RTC’s northeast region, he oversaw the development of the minority and women’s program that advocated for the inclusion of minority and women-owned law firms in the provision of legal services to the RTC as receiver or conservator of failed savings and loans associations during the savings and loans crisis in the 1990s. His experience in government also extends to serving as the Small Business Regulatory Compliance Officer with DOL’s Office of Small Business Programs where he assisted small business owners around the country navigate the maze of government regulations. With S.E.P.A, Inc. Hicks advocated for the development of independents in the music, entertainment, and theatrical arts.
Mr. Hicks, an avid golfer, recently scratched an item off his “bucket list” 
by playing golf in all fifty states.
He is a member of the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association and the Sports, Film, and Entertainment Committee.
.
.
.___
KEISHA BOWNES serves as the Corporate Secretary and a member of the Board of Directors for the SEPA Education Foundation. She is responsible for organizational development and fundraising for the Foundation. She has a B.A. degree in psychology from Towson State University and a master’s degree from Morgan State University. She is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
.
.___
JEFFREY “BUFF” DOGGETT is the Senior Vice President of S.E.P.A, Inc. and heads the Entertainment Management and Planning Division. He is affectionately called “Buff” by family and closest friends. He is a graduate of Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida where he received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Music Production. At an early age, Jeffrey had a passion for getting involved in the music business, specifically music production. While at Full Sail University, he “fine tuned” his music production skills and abilities and met many indivduals who shared his ambitions and desires to produce music. As a student, he learned to develop an understanding of contemporary music hardware and software technology and created his own songs, scores, and soundtracks. In addition to enhance his knowledge of music production, he gained a thorough knowledge of music marketing and business concepts to help potential clients flourish in the music industry. In 2006, he founded Amalgam Arts & Entertainment (AAE) with a friend that combined production companies to service a diverse range of clients in the music and multi-media industries. 
In 2007, S.E.P.A., Inc. became the parent company of AAE, and Jeffrey was named the Vice President of S.E.P.A., Inc. Today, he is responsible for enhancing and developing the company’s key functions such as artist management; entertainment management; and events planning and management. He is constantly involved in all aspects of the company’s business. He is actively involved in the tourism business.
Jeffrey has over 5 years of business development experience and more than 10 years of experience working on entertainment related projects.
.
.
___
.
BRUCE W. DOGGETT is SEPA’s Fashion Consultant and Director of SEPA’s Model, Casting & Dance Group. He is a “fashionista.” Bruce was born in Baltimore, Maryland and if you walk past five people in the city, there is a real possibility that at least one of them will know Bruce. He has numerous relationships with stylists and designers in Baltimore and New York City, and now has the opportunity to use those connections to advance and enhance the careers of models signed to SEPA’s Model, Casting & Dance Group. Additionally, he has over 20 years of experience in planning and coordinating events in the Baltimore area. He has worked closely with vendors and other outside contractors to develop unique and special occasions for family and friends. He is known for producing very special events and parties in the Washington/Baltimore area.
.
KEVIN “KEV” GILBERT is Vice President of our Sports Management Division and In charge of our West Coast operations. Kev has a Master of Business Management in Health Care Management and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources Management and Sports Management. He is former basketball player for Central Valley Titans men’s basketball team and a collegiate athlete for Salem University’s Men Basketball and Cross Country Team. He is a former basketball coach for Salem University’s women basketball team and is a certified by the American Sports & Fitness Association as a personal trainer.
.___
.
LLAURYN ASHLEY HICKS is a summer intern with S.E.P.A., Inc. She is completing her junior year at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Llauryn has assisted SEPA personnel in supporting many administrative functions, and assisted with the production of the company’s Annual Crab Feast and Mother’s Day Brunch. At UMES, she has worked as a residence hall assistant and student director, and is currently an intern with Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Her anticipated graduation date is May of 2015.
