Tom Williams, chairman of Boy Scout Troop 62 at First Baptist Church-West, was named Apache District Scouter of the Year.

Chartered in 1941, Troop 62 is the oldest African American troop in the Mecklenburg County Council, and Williams, 81, has been credited for keeping that streak alive.

Williams volunteered to be scoutmaster in 1996 when the troop needed a leader and was in danger of collapse. Over the years he has overseen popcorn sales, camping trips and the making of one Eagle Scout.

Williams retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of first sergeant after more than 22 years of service. He said he was drawn to scouting because, in some ways, it reminded him of the military.

But he also likes what scouting does for boys who need direction and leadership training.

"I look at the community and the surroundings and the young black males,” he said. "They need leadership to keep them out of trouble and out of jail. Scouting does that. It’s a good thing to teach young black males to grow up to be a man, to take care of his family.”

John Crapster, director of the Apache District, called Williams “an outstanding leader, teacher, mentor, a great scouter and all-round gentleman.”

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Anthony Holloman, a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, was named vice president for institutional advancement at South Carolina State University.

Prior to joining the S.C. State, Holloman was director of athletics at Tuskegee University. He begins his new job on Jan. 16.

He will work with the offices of alumni relations, development, university relations and marketing and will serve as the executive director of the S.C. State Education Foundation. He also will work with the school’s Board of Visitors.

Holloman also worked as associate vice president for university advancement at Tuskegee, a job that required him to raise millions of dollars for the school, and as director of development at N.C. A&T University.

Holloman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from JCSU with a minor in English. He has a Master of Science degree in sports administration from the United States Sports Academy, as well as a certificate in fundraising management from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

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Brian Cromwell has joined the Charlotte law office of Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, where he will focuses his practice on white collar criminal defense, environmental crimes defense, internal investigations and regulatory and compliance issues.

Prior to entering private practice, Cromwell was both a state and federal prosecutor. From 1997-2000, he worked as an assistant district attorney in Mecklenburg County. From 2000-2004, he was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Western District of North Carolina. Prior to entering law school he worked as a securities analyst and as a tax consultant.

Names in the News is a celebration of achievemwent. Email submissions to editor@qcitymetro.com.

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