DATE: April 03, 2008

CONTACT: Kim Dawson, (864) 656-0740
dawson@clemson.edu

WRITER: Teresa C. Hopkins, (864) 656-1222
hopkin1@clemson.edu

Clemson Renaissance Center to recognize alumni entrepreneurs

GREENVILLE – Two Clemson University graduates will be recognized this month for their entrepreneurial spirit.

Bill Masters and Joe Turner will participate in the third annual “Celebration of Clemson Alumni Entrepreneurs” on Thursday, April 10, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Greenville, beginning with a presentation at 5:30 p.m. followed by a reception at 7 p.m.

Masters is president, owner and/or partner in several businesses, including two kayak companies, Kinetixx, Inc. and Evolution Kayaks, and several real estate development operations. From 1974 to 1978 he was the owner and founder of Perception Kayaks in Easley, during which time Perception became the largest kayak manufacturer in the United States. Masters is a 1974 Clemson graduate with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.

Turner, a 1971 alumnus with a bachelor's degree in industrial management and an master's degree in management (1977), is the co-founder, chairman and CEO of First Sun Management Corp., one of the largest Wendy's franchise owners with 50 restaurants in the Southeast. First Sun Management is listed in the Monitor 200 as one of the 200 largest franchised restaurant operators in the country. The company also is listed among the 100 largest privately held businesses in South Carolina.

The event is a Clemson Renaissance Center activity and is sponsored by the Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Clemson students and faculty, entrepreneurs and members of the business community are invited to attend. For additional information and to register go to http://business.clemson.edu/Spiro/newsEven.htm#event.