Executive Committee

Rhakeem J. Brown is an attorney at Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P., where his nationwide practice focuses on defending clients in product liability, premises, commercial, insurance, and general liability disputes in both state and federal courts. He represents manufacturers and service providers across a range of industries, including security and alarm services and consumer products. He also dedicates a significant portion of his time to pro bono work, with a focus on helping individuals navigate landlord-tenant disputes.

Born and raised in Beaufort County, South Carolina, Rhakeem earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Communications, from the University of South Carolina-Beaufort in 2016, where he was also a member of the cross-country and track & field teams. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law in 2023. While at Emory, he interned with a Fortune 100 biopharmaceutical company and an AMLaw 200 firm, served as head student ambassador of BARBI, and served on the Executive Board of the Black Law Students Association.

Rhakeem currently resides in Kansas City, Missouri, and remains deeply committed to giving back to the Lowcountry community. He volunteers and hosts career development events at local high schools in Beaufort County. He also serves as Vice Chair of The Briefcase, a publication of the DRI Young Lawyers Committee, and as a Steering Committee Member of the Kansas City Symphony Forte Committee.

Originally from Manning, S.C., Kelli attended the University of South Carolina Beaufort and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. Following graduation, she was hired by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. In her seven-year tenure, she served as the Research and Digital Marketing Coordinator and later as the Director of Programs & Events. Kelli is a graduate of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber’s Leadership Program (class of 2018). She also received her master’s degree in education in 2022 from the University of Georgia through their Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development program. In 2024, Kelli completed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s esteemed Institute for Organization Management (IOM).

Kelli currently works as a Senior Project Manager for the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation. Her role focuses on attracting and retaining businesses within Beaufort County, marketing for the organization, facilitating roundtable events along with the CONVERGE Economic Summit, as well as working with investors. She has completed the South Carolina Economic Development Institute through the South Carolina Economic Developers Association and is currently enrolled in the Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute.

Cassie (Beato) Critchlow graduated from the University of South Carolina Beaufort in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, concentrating in Coastal Ecology. While at USCB, she was a student-athlete competing in both cross country and track. She went on to earn her Master’s in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver. In 2024, Cassie completed the Lowcountry Master Naturalist course. 

Cassie currently serves as the Naturalist at Montage Palmetto Bluff and also teaches Evolution of Ecology and Marine Ecology at USCB. Before joining Montage, she worked at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, gaining valuable experience in environmental education and outreach.

Cassie and her husband, John Critchlow (USCB Class of 2014), reside in Bluffton and are excited to welcome their first child in January 2026. 

Originally from Western New York and proudly born a Buffalo Bills fan, Christina has been lucky to call the Lowcountry home since 2000. USCB played such a meaningful role in her journey—both personally and professionally. Since graduating with a degree in Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management, she's stayed connected to this incredible community through causes close to her heart, including Pledge the Pink and the Women’s Council of Realtors Lowcountry. Christina is also honored to serve on the USCB Education Foundation Board and now the Alumni Executive Committee. She truly believes in the power of giving back and supporting the next generation of Sand Sharks—it’s her way of saying thank you to a place that gave her so much. 

Bio Coming Soon

Bio Coming Soon

Bio Coming Soon

Kacie was born and raised in upstate New York before making her way south for college, graduating from the University of South Carolina Beaufort with a degree in Human Services. USCB played a pivotal roll in Kacie’s success after college. She credits her faculty mentor, Dr. Najmah Thomas for always being her supporter and advocate while in the program and after graduation. Post graduation, she worked for PPR (now Medical Solutions) Travel Nursing as a Quality Management Specialist and then went on to work as a paralegal for an attorney in South Carolina. She was an integral member of the fundraising team with the Wounded Warrior Project in Jacksonville and is now the Associate Director of Development and Alumni Affairs with the University of Florida College of Nursing.  

Kacie and her husband, Gavin, now live in Gainesville, FL. While no longer in SC, Kacie still holds the lowcountry and USCB near to her heart. Last year, she founded the Kacie Perryman Excellence in Human Services Scholarship, to give back to deserving Human Services students at her alma mater. She sees the value of private philanthropic support in higher education and hopes to continue to support the success of students within the program that gave her so many wonderful memories and opportunities. n