Board Member Spotlight
Michael Coakley ’91, P’23*
After earning a bachelor’s degree in management from Clemson in 1991, Michael joined the C.J. Coakley Company Co., Inc. and then rose through the ranks to become its co-president. Today, the family-owned business that started in 1962 is a full-service interior contractor and one of the largest drywall companies in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
As co-president, Michael manages major construction projects that include many at iconic national landmarks such as the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The company received a special commendation from the Department of Defense for work on rebuilding the part of the Pentagon that was damaged on 9/11.
Among his many volunteer roles for Clemson, Michael is a longtime leader of the Baltimore/Washington, DC Clemson Club, which also serves northern Virginia. He was the club’s co-president for 11 years (2000-2011) and has co-chaired its regional board of directors since 2012. He has served the Clemson Alumni Association on its alumni council and board of directors.
He is a member of the Clemson Legacy Society, which honors donors who have included Clemson in their estate plans, and the 1889 Vision Society, which honors donors for significant cumulative giving. He has made annual gifts for academics since he graduated and was an inaugural member of the President’s Leadership Circle.
Michael and his wife, Beth, have a son, Neil, who graduated from Clemson in December 2023, and two daughters, Lauren and Evelyn.
* This information was taken from the Clemson Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award website.
Upcoming Events
See AllYoung Alumni at DC Defenders
Young Alumni at DC Defenders
May 9
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1:30 pm
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3:30 pm
Join the Clemson Young Alumni Club for an afternoon of football and fellowship as we cheer on the DC Defenders at an exciting home game!
📅 Saturday, May 9
⏰ Kickoff: 1:30 PM
📍 Game Location: Audi Field
Before the game, meet up with fellow Tigers for a pre-game gathering at 12:00PM at:
Solace Outpost in Navy Yard
71 Potomac Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20003
Come early to grab a drink, meet other Clemson young alumni, and get ready to head over to the stadium together to watch the Defenders bring the energy. Whether you’re a football fan or just looking for a fun way to connect with fellow Clemson grads around DC, this is a great chance to show your Tiger pride and enjoy a great afternoon in the city!
Wear your Clemson gear and bring your Tiger spirit!
CU@Home - How AI is Transforming Healthcare
CU@Home - How AI is Transforming Healthcare
May 18
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12:00 pm
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1:00 pm
Join us for a virtual lunchtime chat with Dr. Aaron Masino, Associate Professor in Clemson’s School of Computing and the Dr. Gary Spitzer Endowed Distinguished Professor in Genomics. Dr. Masino’s research focuses on applying artificial intelligence to medicine, particularly using data-driven approaches to better understand and diagnose rare diseases, an area where patients often face long and difficult diagnostic journeys.
Drawing on experience across academia, industry, and clinical research, Dr. Masino develops AI tools that integrate biological knowledge with patient data to support more precise, informed medical decision-making. His work highlights how emerging technologies are reshaping healthcare and opening new possibilities for patients with complex and often overlooked conditions. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear how AI is transforming healthcare – and what it means for the future of medicine – from a leader at the forefront of the field.
TigerTown Bound Send off Party - VA
TigerTown Bound Send off Party - VA
July 14
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6:30 pm
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8:00 pm
Join the Baltimore/Washington DC Clemson Club for a casual reception and to meet local Clemson Alumni, current students and parents. The event will be held in Vienna, VA. Event details including location address will be sent two days prior to the event. We look forward to welcoming you to the Clemson Family!
TigerTown Bound Send off - MD
TigerTown Bound Send off - MD
July 15
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6:30 pm
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8:00 pm
The Baltimore/DC Clemson Club will welcome incoming students and their families at a casual gathering in Annapolis, MD. Join us at this free event to meet new students and discuss all things Clemson! Local Alumni, current students and current parents will be in attendance to help answer questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to the Clemson Family! Address will be sent two days prior.
24th Annual Crab Feast
24th Annual Crab Feast
August 1
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2:00 pm
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6:00 pm
Don’t miss one of our favorite summer events – back for its 24th year!
Held on the banks of the beautiful West River in Shady Side, MD, the menu for this all-you-can-eat Crab Feast also includes low country boil, hush puppies, hot dogs, beer and soda. Don’t be shy if you’ve never had crabs before – we’ll teach you to pick like a pro.
And there is more to do than just eat! Go for a swim in the pool, try to catch a few crabs yourself, take out a kayak or canoe or join a guided boat tour of the river. A huge thank you to Mark ‘91 and Cindy ‘90 Derrick P’25, P’29 for hosting.
Early Bird pricing is available until May 31st. Early Bird Member adult tickets are $44. Early Bird Member child tickets are $19. Members may purchase up to 4 tickets at the Member price, even if guests are not Club members.
After May 31st, member adult tickets are $54. Member children tickets are $25. Clemson Club Members may register for up to 4 member tickets even if the guests are not Clemson alumni or Club Members. Non-member adult tickets are $85. Non-member children are $39. Children under 3 are free.
