Trustee Emeritus
J.D. Emory University
B.S. ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ
Year Elected to the Board: 2006
Year Elected Emeritus Trustee: 2017
City of Residence: Atlanta, GA
Felker W. Ward, Jr., is a principal in the Investment Advisory Firm of Pinnacle Investment Advisors, LLC. After graduating from Tuskegee Institute (now ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ), he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and served 20 years on active duty. He spent most of his career as a pilot, Logistics Officer, and Public Affairs Officer. He flew numerous helicopter combat missions in Vietnam, and was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star for his war service. He retired from the Army in 1974, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.Â
Upon retiring from the Army, Felker embarked on his second career, as a lawyer. He practiced law for 15 years, engaged principally in business and finance practice. In 1988, he launched a new venture -providing investment advisory services to institutional investors, including pension funds, endowments and the like. Since his retirement from the Army, he has achieved many honors and awards, including the Emory Medal--the highest achievement award given by the Emory University Alumni Association.Â
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee Institute (now ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ) School of Commercial Industries in 1953 and a juris doctorate from Emory University School of Law. He also received an honorary doctorate of law from ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ. He has been inducted in the Georgia State University Business Hall of Fame.
Ward is a trustee emeritus of Emory University and serves on the Board of Trustees for ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Gas and Light Company, Georgia Research Alliance, and Georgia Cancer Coalition. He is a member of 100 Black Men of Atlanta and recently completed his one-year term as president of the Rotary Club of Atlanta. Mr. Ward also serves as civilian aide emeritus to the Secretary of the Army, with equivalent rank as three-star general.