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 AllWreaths Out
Wreaths Out
January 11, 2025
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8:00 am
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11:00 am
By January, the holiday spirit has lessened and the weather is colder. The 250,000+ holiday wreaths that were placed at Arlington National Cemetery in December are ready to be removed. Â Coordinated by Wreaths Across America, this is an often overlooked volunteer opportunity. Â Join the Clemson Club to help retrieve/remove wreaths as we honor veterans, their service and their final resting place.
This volunteer opportunity is open to everyone and many hands are needed to help! Â
Mom's Care Package Party - VA
Mom's Care Package Party - VA
January 30, 2025
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6:30 pm
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8:30 pm
Hosted by Angie Paolozzi P’24 & Helen Bath P’23 at Angie’s home in Vienna, Virginia.
We would love to have you join us for a very casual evening of Clemson camaraderie! We’ll enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages, meet some great local Clemson moms, and assemble care packages for our Clemson students in time for a Valentine’s Day surprise.
Here’s how it works: Once we have a confirmed guest count, each person is asked to bring one item to contribute to the care packages. For example, if we have 15 people joining, then you would bring 15 of one item (Rice Krispies treats, lip balm, ramen noodles, fuzzy socks … you get the idea!) and at the end of the night, you’ll walk away with a box full of goodies that you can mail to your Clemson student(s).
Sounds like fun,right?!
Mom's Care Package Party - MD
Mom's Care Package Party - MD
January 30, 2025
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6:30 pm
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8:30 pm
Hosted by Jenny Sprungle P’25, P’28 at in Severna Park, Maryland.
We would love to have you join us for a very casual evening of Clemson camaraderie! We’ll enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages, meet some great local Clemson moms, and assemble care packages for our Clemson students in time for a mid-term surprise.
Here’s how it works: Once we have a confirmed guest count, each person is asked to bring one item to contribute to the care packages. For example, if we have 15 people joining, then you would bring 15 of one item (Rice Krispies treats, lip balm, ramen noodles, fuzzy socks … you get the idea!) and at the end of the night, you’ll walk away with a box full of goodies that you can mail to your Clemson student(s).
Sounds like fun,right?!
Football Thursday Lunch - February
Football Thursday Lunch - February
February 6, 2025
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12:00 pm
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1:00 pm
Gather with fellow Tigers to break down this year’s Football season on Thursday, February 6, 12:00pm – 1:00pm at at Allen Martin’s office, 499 South Capitol Street, SW, Suite 600, Washington DC. Registration is $10 for Club members; $25 for non-members. Come prepared to discuss some Clemson Football with special guest Graham Neff. Graham Neff will join via Zoom. Lunch will be provided.
