Leadership
Max Allen
Senior Vice President & Chief of Staff, Clemson University
Since his arrival at Clemson University in June 2015, Max Allen has helped strengthen the overall national reputation and awareness of the Clemson brand. He serves as the chief advisor to President Clements and is the primary liaison with the vice presidents and other direct reports to the president. Under his leadership, he has helped design and implement the Clemson Forward strategic plan, coordinated a strategic reorganization of the campus diversity efforts, served as the primary liaison with key community leaders and partners, served as a member of the university’s crisis decision team, and helped with the successful completion of the $1 billion “Will to Lead” capital campaign.
Prior to Clemson, Allen served as the chief of staff at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and the executive assistant to the president and director of university relations at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA. A retired Navy Lieutenant Commander, Allen has had many successful years of challenging assignments as a Navy public affairs officer.
Allen holds a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville University in Florida and is a graduate of the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and the Leadership Georgia Class of 2000. Previous leadership service includes: Past President of the 100 Black Men of Coastal North Carolina and Past Chair of the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education. He is a member of Sigma Pi Phi (Delta Beta) fraternity. Allen serves on the Greenville, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Clemson Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Alliance Pickens Board, the UpState Alliance Board, and the BB&T Local Advisory Board in Greenville, SC.
John Hannon, Ph.D.
Founding Director
jmhanno@clemson.edu
864-656-5868
Ph.D., Management, Cornell University
MBA, Finance, University at Buffalo
B.S. Industrial Engineering, Clarkson University
Since earning his Ph.D. at Cornell, John Hannon has been honored to teach and mentor MBA and Undergraduate students at eight world-class universities in the US, Singapore, Japan and China (Cornell, UCLA, Purdue, Buffalo, Keio, Renmin, Singapore and Clemson).
John Hannon has a track record as an excellent teacher, researcher, colleague, and program builder. John consistently earns within the top 10% of his teaching evaluations. He has authored over twenty academic papers - including eight articles published in Tier I journals.
Dr. Hannon has extensive entrepreneurial experience through the creation of his own successful companies in Education, Hospitality, Sports and Entertainment.
John’s full-time industry experience includes executive roles in multiple top-ranked companies, including National Grid (Utility), IBM (Technology) and M&T Bank (Finance).
Given his experience in academia, as an entrepreneur, and in industry, John is adept and comfortable in any environment, from classrooms to boardrooms to laboratories to farms to factories.
Staff
Enoh Amon, MBA
Operations Manager
eamon@clemson.edu
864-656-5882
MBA Marketing
B.A. Business Management with Minor in Accounting
Born in the Ivory Coast, Enoh Amon moved to the United States after completing high school to continue his education. He earned a degree in Business Management with a minor in Accounting and an MBA in Marketing from Liberty University.
Fluent in both English and French, Enoh Amon comes from a lineage of entrepreneurs, ignited by the profound influence of a successful entrepreneurial mother. As a former campus minister in the greater Atlanta area he devoted efforts to uplift students towards greater self.
Over the years Enoh Amon became involved with various small businesses, offering invaluable support to entrepreneurs with their marketing needs. Enoh Amon pursued his own business endeavor and started a successful small construction business, focusing on residential and commercial painting.
In his spare time, Enoh Amon enjoys cycling, hiking, and playing the guitar.
Pam Holladay, MBA
Operations Manager
pdholla@clemson.edu
864-656-5882
MBA, Leadership, Southern Wesleyan University, Central, SC
B.A., Business Administration, Southern Wesleyan University, Central, SC
Pam, a native of Central, SC, attended D.W. Daniel High School. Pam continued her education at Southern Wesleyan University, first obtaining her undergraduate degree in Business Administration. After some time, she also obtained her MBA at Southern Wesleyan University.
Pam entered the professional workforce working for a Debt Collection Company in Greenville, SC. During her 18 years with this organization, she had the opportunity to be in many different roles, from individual contributor to leader within Customer Service, Audit, Compliance, and Operations Management. Pam was responsible for leading multiple teams and working on numerous projects, including creating a new dispute investigation platform, as well as overhauling the company's outbound lettering process. Pam was recognized as a Circle of Excellence award winner and a three-time Presidents Award Winner.
Most recently, Pam worked for a privately held company in Greenville, SC where she led all facets of operational support. Pam's specific areas of operational responsibility included Collections, Legal, Support Operations, and Customer Service. Additional responsibilities included maintaining staffing models, monitoring budgets, business metrics, and real-time performance data.
Pam and her husband Chuck have two children, Nate and Allie. Pam enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and leading worship at Cannon Church in Central, SC. You can also find her at local sporting events, cheering on the youth in our community.
Martin J. Levins
Operations Manager
levins4@clemson.edu
864-656-7898
As a Brook T. Smith LaunchPad Operations Manager, Martin provides direct support and program management for the LaunchPad. Responsible for facility oversight while prioritizing and completing a wide variety of program support.
Originally from Ireland, Martin has extensive experience in customer relationship management and project management. Martin has worked for a number of start-up companies, including organizations funded by venture capitalists, Angel funders, high-worth individuals. Martin’s has held positions with Global Access Partners, HCYTE Management, Experience Inc, Kronos Incorporated, W.A. Wilde Company, Lloyds Registrars in the UK and Bell Communications in Ireland.
Martin studied at UCD, Dublin and continues his education achieving a Customer Loyalty Marketing recognition with the Direct Marketing Association, Project Management with PMI and CRM Administrator.
Martin’s engagements include keynote speaker at the Employer Relations & Higher Education seminar at Clemson University, University of Notre Dame Employee Relations Student Conference, keynote speaker at the CRM for SME Marketplace seminar for the Boston Emerging Technologies and Telecommunications Entrepreneurs roundtable, Chair of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Michelle Navis
Project Manager
mnavis@clemson.edu
864-656-5874
B.A. Elementary Education, Clemson University
Michelle Navis, a native of Easley, SC, has been a die-hard Clemson fan since birth. Driven by a passion for helping others, her career began as an elementary school teacher in GA and WI for nearly a decade. After that time, she served as PTSO president, responsible for fundraising, financial management, community engagement and event organization.
Her organization, communication skills and passion for making a difference and helping others led her to become an office manager/mentor with the Spiro Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership. She continues to provide guidance and support and cultivate a love for entrepreneurship among the students with whom she works. She enjoys being a part of this exceptional opportunity at Clemson to serve a diverse population of students across all colleges.
Lillian Burns, MBA
Office Manager
lillian@clemson.edu
864-656-3898
Master of Human Resource and Development, Clemson University, Clemson SC B.A., Business Administration/ Computer Technology, Anderson University, Anderson, SC
Lillian joined Clemson University in January 2008 as an Administrative Specialist II with the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. She went on to join the School of Architecture as the Administrative Assistant and oversaw the office's daily operations, including HR procedures and student hires.
Lillian received her associate degree in Computer Technology from Tri-County Technical College in 2001. She later attended Anderson University, obtaining her B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Technology. In 2013, as an employee, she participated in Clemson University’s Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP) and obtained her master's in HRD. Lillian is a 2023 graduate of the CU Grow Professional Development cohort. She is also a member of the 2024 CU Grow Advisory Board.
Lillian is a native of Anderson, SC. Lillian and her husband have five children and eight grandchildren. She is an active member of her church and enjoys spending time with her family, reading, sewing, and creating DIY merchandise.
Location and Hours
Address
390 College Avenue
Clemson, SC 29631
The Brook T. Smith Launchpad is located in downtown Clemson. We are housed in a 9,000-square-foot space occupying the first two floors of 390 College Avenue. Hourly street parking is available in front of the facility and the City of Clemson municipal parking garage.
Hours
Monday-Friday: 8:00am-9:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Parking and CATbus Information
As parking is NOT available in the UCentre Garage, parking choices are:
- Keith Street Parking Garage (1 Keith St, Clemson, SC 29631; $1 Hourly/Free after 4:30 pm)
- Free street parking starting at 4:30 pm, as time limits will not apply
- The Red Line CATbus stops at Tiger Town Tavern and Study Hall, a short walk to the Brook T. Smith Launchpad
