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Chester County Press

Oxford Area High School to induct Distinguished Alumni class on May 29

05/28/2015 12:25PM ● By Steven Hoffman

On Friday, May 29, Oxford Area High School will hold its ninth Distinguished Alumni induction ceremony. The Class of 2015 includes John A. Featherman, Class of 1956, Dr. Gammon Earhart, Class of 1990, and Brian Summers, Class of 1994.

The Distinguished Alumni Program was established in 2006 to ensure that the lives and achievements of Oxford's most accomplished graduates will be forever known among fellow graduates, current and future high school students, and the Oxford community. A luncheon in honor of each year's inductees is held each spring and is followed by a ceremony attended by the high school student body. Portraits of all the honorees are displayed in the high school's rotunda.

The Chester County Press will highlight one of the Distinguished Alumni inductees in each edition leading up the ceremony on May 29.

In this edition, we highlight the accomplishments of Brian Summers, Class of 1994.

Summers is Corporate Operations Officer, owner and member manager of BarkClad International, Asheville, N.C., which manufactures commercial cladding products. He is responsible for defining corporate strategy, raising investment capital and all daily operations of the company including product development, manufacturing, marketing, sales, distribution, service and administration.

Summers is also founder, president and CEO of sgblue Inc., and is responsible for the acquisition, commercialization, development, manufacture and distribution of an innovative air and water purification technology for use in residential, medical, commercial and industrial applications. The purpose of the technology is to improve living conditions and wellness for those afflicted with asthma, allergies, and immune-deficiencies. Thousands of individuals and numerous hospitals have benefited from the technology and it continues to grow under the license of Allergy Partners, the largest asthma, allergy and immunology practice in the United States.

Summers is also a key account consultant for Bridgestone Tire America.

After graduating from Oxford, Mr. Summers entered the U.S. Naval Academy where he graduated with a B.S. in aerospace engineering. He was awarded the academy’s Meritorious Unit Commendation as a member of the Class of 1998.

Summers had a distinguished 10-year naval career during which he flew over 40 combat missions and amassed over 200 combat flight hours, 1,500 total flight hours and 250 carrier landings in support of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He served in many capacities including Casualty Assistant Calls Officer, Operations Officer, Strike Subject Matter Expert, CSFTL Strike Training Officer, Instructor Pilot, Section Lead and Division Lead. Mr. Summers received numerous awards and commendations, most notably the Atlantic Fleet Junior Officer Leadership Award.