Join us on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 4:30pm for a special ceremony at the Alumni Walk, Marian Lawton Langford Library Courtyard, as we celebrate the Class of 2025 honorees.

In 2024, the Maclay School Alumni Walk honored it's first class during Homecoming.  We were thrilled to be able to highlight the accomplishments of our truly exceptional alumni – for what they do in their careers, the ways they contribute and  give to their communities, and for what they do to share the legacy of Maclay School far and wide. One of the most exciting elements of this program is the prominence and visual reminder that it creates daily for our students of what is possible to accomplish.  It is a privilege to be able to place these ten alumni stories at the center of our campus for students at all ages to be surrounded by, look up to, and learn from on a daily basis.  Our alumni are showing our students where their dreams can take them, and it is our distinct honor to support and highlight this.

Dr. Ashkan Abbey ('01)  graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and earned his medical degree with honors from Weill Cornell Medical College.He completed residency at the renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami and advanced fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery at William Beaumont Hospital. In 2015, he joined Texas Retina Associates, where he has served as Director of Clinical Research since 2020. A board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Abbey specializes in the full spectrum of retinal and vitreous diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, macular holes, and pediatric retinal disorders. He is internationally recognized for his expertise in sutureless intrascleral fixation of intraocular lenses, having performed more than 1,000 surgeries and shared his pioneering work through publications and lectures worldwide. Dr. Abbey has authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and abstracts, with research focused on retinal vascular disease and advanced surgical techniques. He serves as a reviewer for leading journals and sits on editorial boards, including the ASRS Retina Atlas, Retina Specialist, and Modern Retina. A respected leader in his field, Dr. Abbey is active in multiple professional societies and has received numerous honors, including recognition as a “Best Doctor in Dallas,” “Texas Super Doctor,” and one of “America’s Leading Doctors” by Newsweek.

Sarah Casteel Dean ('11)  is an author and illustrator who founded The Midnight Post, a whimsical storytelling brand built around her original book series set in the world of Burrowood. She holds a BFA in Graphic Design from Samford University and previously worked as an art director, leading creative campaigns for a wide range of brands and large-scale events. Dean now channels her design expertise into writing and illustrating her own series, blending narrative and imagery to create immersive, family-friendly stories. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including in Tokyo, Japan. Residing in Greenville, South Carolina, she finds joy in tending her garden, getting lost in novels, and walking with her husband. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of children through stories that nurture imagination, wonder, and whimsy.

John Ho ('77) A member of the class of 1977, John Ho was a student athlete and played on both the Baseball and Basketball Teams at Maclay. John was awarded the prestigious Chairman’s Award his Senior year. He is the son of John TJ Ho, a long-time professor of Anthropology at Florida State University and Lucy Ho, who was also a long-time employee at FSU in the School of Music. John attended Yale University for his BA in Political Science and later received an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School. John retired after 35+ years in the banking industry most recently as the Chief Credit Officer at Mizuho Bank, Ltd. At Mizuho, John attained the rank of Executive Officer, one of the first non-Japanese to receive this title. John is the father of two children and resides in the New York area. He currently serves on the Maclay Board of Trustees and coaches youth basketball in his spare time.

 

Kerry Guilday Inger ('98) Dr. Kerry Inger teaches accounting and tax classes in the Harbert College of Business at Auburn University. She has won several teaching accolades at the national, university, and college level. Dr. Inger's research focuses on the intersection of financial accounting and corporate taxation, as well as sustainability issues related to accounting. Her work has been published in journals including The Accounting Review, The Journal of the American Taxation Association, Issues in Accounting Education and Tax Notes. Her work has been cited by the popular press, including the_ Wall Street Journal, CFO Magazine, and Bloomberg. She currently_ serves as an editor at Issues in Accounting Education and holds several editorial board appointments. Dr. Inger is deeply passionate about study abroad opportunities for students, serving as the School of Accountancy’s Director of International Programs and has taught at universities in Germany. She is active in the American Taxation Association and currently serves as the VP of Finance

Christina Criser Jackson ('02) has dedicated her life to strengthening communities through her work in nonprofit leadership. A lifelong Gator, she earned her bachelor’s degree in English and her master’s in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences from the University of Florida. As President and CEO of United Way of Central Florida, she leads efforts that improve lives across Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties, including the opening of the Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children’s Resource Center, the George W. Jenkins End Hunger Initiative, and key partnerships in behavioral health and early intervention. The United Way team is honored to serve as the local coordinators of the Publix Super Markets, Inc. - United Way partnership, which generates over $50 million each year to support communities across their eight-state region. Known for her compassion and vision, Christina credits her team at United Way for leading the community through times of growth and disaster, always with a focus on building a stronger, healthier future. She and her husband, Eric, make their home in Lakeland with their daughter, Olivia.

Scott Jennings ('84) is the retired President of Moeller Purcell Construction Company, a design and build commercial general contractor based in Alpharetta, Georgia. Over a career in commercial construction that spanned five decades, he developed lasting partnerships with clients in technology, education, nonprofit, religious, and corporate sectors. As President, he led the company with a focus on quality, client service, and long-term relationships, helping establish Moeller Purcell as a trusted builder across the Southeast. Scott’s professional expertise was matched by his dedication to service. He held leadership roles with the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, including service on the Executive Board and the President’s Strategic Planning Committee. He also chaired the Advisory Board of the Georgia Tech School of Building Construction and served as Past President of the Rotary Club of Dunwoody. His industry involvement included CoreNet Global’s Atlanta Chapter, the Construction Owners Association of America, the Society of College and University Planners, and the Association of Physical Plant Administrators. Committed to education and mentorship, Scott served as a part-time lecturer in the Georgia Tech School of Building Construction. A 1989 graduate of Georgia Tech with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he also completed the Cooperative Work Program. He and his wife, Tracey, live in Dunwoody and are the proud parents of three adult children, Emily, Lauren, and Ryan.

Liz Landers ('09) Emmy and Webby Award-winning journalist who previously worked at Scripps News as a national security correspondent and anchor. Prior to Scripps, Landers was the chief political correspondent at Vice News, conducting exclusive interviews with the Vice President, Secretary of State, and members of Congress. Landers spent time as a television and radio reporter at ABC News in Washington in 2023. In the earlier years of her career, she worked for CNN, covering the 2016 campaign following Bernie Sanders and Mike Pence, then the White House and Capitol Hill as a producer and reporter. Her love of politics and news stems from her upbringing in Tallahassee and education, starting in Pre-K, at Maclay School. In 2023, Landers was a fellow at the International Strategy Forum at Schmidt Futures. She is a 2013 graduate of Tufts University, B.A. Political Science. She resides in Washington, D.C.

 

Blake Miles ('87) Blake is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner with Healing Biologix and SWS Carbon. Healing Biologix provides wound care kits to patients to aid in healing from chronic wounds or surgical procedures. The company is also working to develop a novel drug spray delivery system that will eliminate the use of needles for products like insulin, GLP's, Peptides, and HRT.SWS Carbon provides project management, capitalization, and regulatory compliance across various sectors, including biotech, carbon credits, cut & cap wells, rare earth mining, and data centers. The company provides support from early-stage deal formation through implementation, including assistance with government, operations, and management. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare sales and marketing, Blake has a proven track record of driving growth and innovation in the medical device industry. He has successfully led national sales teams, created and managed startups, and partnered with manufacturers and distributors to provide high-quality solutions to healthcare professionals and patients. Blake's expertise includes creating and managing startups in healthcare, biotech, and carbon credits. He is passionate about improving patient outcomes through cutting-edge medical technology. He is also passionate about developing environmental solutions that will help to reduce methane gas emissions and assist the United States government with rare earth mining initiatives and data centers.

Palmer Proctor, Jr. ('85) is CEO of Ameris Bank & Ameris Bancorp, the largest bank headquartered in Atlanta. In this role, Proctor guides the strategic direction of the bank, which serves businesses and consumers through full-service financial centers across the Southeast and lending platforms nationwide. A longtime advocate for financial wellness and community impact, Proctor has a history of board service and philanthropic involvement. He currently serves as emeritus director of Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, co-founder of the ALS Night of Hope Gala, director of Choate Construction Company, Trustee of Pace Academy and a board member of Inspire Brands and Brown & Brown Insurance.

 

 

J. Ben Watkins III ('75) was appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Cabinet as Director of the Florida Division of Bond Finance in 1995. He is widely recognized for his leadership in the municipal bond industry, serving in key roles with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, the Government Finance Officers Association, the National Association of State Treasurers, and the National Association of Bond Lawyers. Watkins has received national recognition for his contributions to public finance, including the Jim Lebenthal Infrastructure Champion Award (2017), the National Federation of Municipal Analysts Industry Contribution Award (2009), and the Tanya Gritz Award for Excellence in Public Finance (2001). He also practiced public finance law
with Sutherland Asbill & Brennan in Atlanta. Beyond his professional work, Watkins is active in civic and educational organizations. He has served as past chairman of the Economic Club of Florida and as a board member of the Municipal Code Corporation, the Florida State University Coastal and Marine Lab Advisory Board, the Maclay School Board of Trustees, and the Tall Timbers Research and Land Conservancy Board. A Florida native, Watkins earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Auburn University. He and his wife Joy have two daughters and reside in Tallahassee.