Marietta College has welcomed two new members to its Board of Trustees with the appointments of Richard Burgstresser ’76 and Melissa Yusko Clawson ’05, who began their terms on July 1. Together, they bring decades of leadership experience in business, governance, finance, and operations, along with a longstanding commitment to the College and its mission.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Richard and Melissa to the Board of Trustees,” said Board Chair Jim Wilson ’69. “Their professional backgrounds and experience, love of the College, and desire to see the College grow fit exactly with the profile of a dedicated Trustee. We look forward to working with them both.”
Burgstresser and Clawson join the Board as Marietta College continues to advance its long-term strategic priorities and build on its nearly two centuries of academic excellence and leadership.
“Richard and Melissa each bring exceptional professional expertise, thoughtful leadership, and a spirit of service to Marietta College,” said President Kathleen Poorman Dougherty. “Their leadership and insight will strengthen the work of our Board of Trustees as we continue building on the legacy of this institution, ensuring it remains strong for generations to come.”
Burgstresser brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience with Fortune 500 companies, spanning sales, marketing, strategic planning, business transformation, and supply chain management. He currently serves as principal of Tall Pines Group LLC, a New Jersey-based property management, commercial, and luxury real estate enterprise.
A 1976 graduate of Marietta College, Burgstresser earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications and was a four-year varsity coxswain of the men’s rowing team. He has remained connected to the College through the rowing alumni community and credits his Marietta experience with helping shape both his professional and personal journey. He has also served as a guest lecturer and mentor for MBA programs at Rutgers Business School and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
“The legacy of Marietta College is deeply important to me,” Burgstresser said. “The College played a transformative role in my life and helped prepare me for both my professional and personal journey. I am honored to serve in a role that helps perpetuate that legacy and ensures future generations of students have access to the same opportunities and experiences that shaped me.”
Clawson serves as Chief Audit Executive for The Wendy’s Company, where she advises executive leadership and the company’s Audit Committee on enterprise risk, corporate governance, internal controls, and compliance. Prior to joining Wendy’s, she spent more than a decade with Ernst & Young providing risk advisory and internal audit services to organizations across a variety of industries.
A 2005 graduate of Marietta College, Clawson earned a Bachelor of Arts in public accounting with a minor in leadership studies, followed by a Master of Accounting from The Ohio State University. She has remained actively involved with the College through alumni leadership, volunteer service, mentoring, and advisory roles, including service on the Marietta College Alumni Association Council and the McDonough Leadership Advisory Board. Clawson received the Liz Tribett MCAA Service Award in 2025.
“I am passionate about giving back to the College, and I feel that this is a natural next step in how I serve,” Clawson said. “This is an opportunity to help ensure Marietta continues to strengthen its impact and expand opportunities for both current and future Pioneers.”
The appointments of Burgstresser and Clawson reflect Marietta College’s continued commitment to strong governance and forward-looking leadership. As trustees, they will work alongside fellow Board members to support the College’s vision, strengthen institutional priorities, and guide its continued success.