The Walsh College Board of Trustees has elected Dee Dee McKinney Odom and John Falcon to three-year terms as members of the Walsh College Foundation Board of Directors.Established in 2004, the Walsh College Foundation Board of Directors serves as the official fundraising arm of the college. The Foundation encourages private giving and ensures the integrity of the college’s philanthropy program.Walsh College alumni make up the vast majority of the Foundation Board of Directors, which now totals 26 with the addition of McKinney Odom and Falcon. It is staffed by employees of the College and led by volunteers who are business, industry, and community leaders.“We are excited to have Dee Dee and John join the Foundation Board,” said Susan Foley, vice president and chief development officer at Walsh College. “Their dedication to the College over the years is unmistakable. They are both proven business leaders in their communities, and we are certain that they will bring creative and innovative fundraising initiatives to the board.”
McKinney Odom is the director of public affairs for MGM Grand Detroit. She has three degrees from Walsh, a Bachelor of Accountancy (’91), a Master of Finance (’00), and a Master of Business Administration (’01).
McKinney Odom is a Detroit resident and is involved in a number of community organizations, including the Urban League of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan; Black Family Development Inc., where she serves as the board chair; and the MGM Grand Detroit Charitable Contributions Committee.
Falcon is the chief financial officer and treasurer at Ross Controls, an international provider in custom pneumatic control solutions for the fluid power industry. He has two degrees from Walsh College, a Bachelor of Accountancy (’02) and Master of Science in Taxation (’08).
Falcon, who lives in Royal Oak, is a staunch supporter of the College, and he recently joined the College’s Scholarship Golf Classic committee. He credits the connections he made at Walsh for helping him succeed in the business world.
He is also active in his community. He and his family volunteer for the annual MOM race, which is a fundraiser for mental health awareness, and participate in Boys and Girls Clubs of Royal Oak events.
Falcon is a member of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
