About MSYDS

FOUNDER / PRESIDENT

Marcus M. Bryant is Founder and President of Military Scholars Youth Development Services, Inc. Marcus oversees all MSYDS campaign and advocacy work throughout the Carolinas, including planning drill competitions, finance committees, public relations, and strategic planning. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia State University.

Prior to founding MSYD, he served in the Virginia Army National Guard and has received the Army Achievement and the National Defense Service Medals, with an Honorable Discharge.  Marcus has served as a drill team instructor with Armstrong-Kennedy High school in Richmond, VA, and Independence and West Charlotte High Schools in Charlotte, NC.

In 1995, Marcus started the Southern Invitational Drill Championship in Charlotte, NC, and changed the name to the Queen City Drill Classic in 1996. After several years of competition, the meet came to an end in 2002. Marcus has been a college football official with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), as a Back Judge. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Marcus resides in Kannapolis, NC.

VICE - PRESIDENT

Bob Giles is a Native of Winston-Salem, NC. A resident of Charlotte NC since 1992.  Bob has been for 38 years and is the father of 3 children and has 6 grandchildren.

 Bob is a graduate of North Carolina A & T State University with B.S., in Industrial Technology, with honors Cum Laude, 1984. In 2018 Retiree from Duke Energy, as site Nuclear Chemistry Training Program Manager and Lead Instructor.

 Bob is a Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Charlotte Alumni Chapter. Past Charlotte Alumni Chapter Man of the Year and has been active for 15 years in Chapter youth mentoring and program development endeavors as Past Guide Right Chairman, past Chairman and Advisor of Charlotte Kappa Beautillion Militaire, past Chairman and Advisor of Charlotte Kappa League.

 In addition to his community service, Bob has volunteered for civic activities: Former Youth Sports Coach, Cities in Schools program, Voting Precinct Judge, United Way Volunteer, and Neighborhood Association president.

 Bob will serve as Vice President, and his duties include planning, developing, and enforcing policies and objectives for MSYDS to ensure it maintains its values and meets established goals.

Bob resides in Charlotte, NC.

SECRETARY

Wayne C. James was Born in Cumberland County, North Carolina, on April 04/04/1961. I am married to Lavon James. He is the father of four children and has 10 grandchildren.

 Wayne served in the US Army from July 1979 to December 1985. His duties as a Combat Engineer consisted of handling military-grade explosives, training in certain weapons, and operating heavy construction equipment. He also attended Austin Peay University while stationed at Fort Campbell KY.

  In 2011, he retired from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s with exemplary service.  In 2013, Wayne was hired by Walden Security, a contract service for the United States Marshal Service. He is currently serving in the capacity of a Federal Court Security Officer and is responsible for the security of Federal Judges and the security of Federal court houses for the Middle District of North Carolina.

 Wayne has a passion for high school football and is currently involved with the booster club at his grandchildren's high school, In his spare time Wayne enjoys fishing, walking, and listening to music. Wayne serves as the Operations, Security, and Compliance Officer for MSYDS.

Wayne resides in Winston-Salem, NC

TREASURER

David Probst, Ed.D., is an educator in the Fairfax County Public Schools System. He received his B.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University in Political Science and his Master’s and Doctorate from Virginia State University in Educational Leadership. Dr. Probst worked in Richmond Public Schools for seventeen years before moving to the Fairfax County Public School system where he currently serves as an Advanced Academics instructor. In addition to teaching Dr. Probst is very active in his community as a Prince Hall Mason.

David resides in Chester, Virginia

ASSOCIATE MEMBER

Samuel Patterson is currently employed with the Richmond City Council as a City Council Liaison to provide advice and support for the East End/7th District Council Member. Samuel serves as the liaison to other City departments, the public, outside agencies, consultants, attorneys, and professional associations. Samuel also plans, develops, and coordinate events; assist in legislation research and development; analyze data, conduct projects, gather and evaluate statistical information, and investigate and resolve citizen complaints. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology: Human Exceptionalities-Exceptional Education. Prior to serving as a City Council Liaison, he served as an Exceptional Education Instructional Assistant/Teacher and a member of the Richmond Police Department where he received numerous Police Instructional and Leadership awards and Police Accommodations. He has served as a Drill Team instructor for the Richmond Police Department Explorers Post Drill Team, the John F. Kennedy High School JROTC Drill Teams and the Armstrong-Kennedy High School Complex JROTC Drill Teams. In 1992, Samuel started the Martin Luther King Jr. East Coast Invitational Drill Team Championships in Richmond, Virginia until 2005.

Sam resides in Richmond, Virginia.

ASSOCIATE MEMBER

Venisha Bowler has been involved at many levels of the Special Olympics organization including local volunteer coach, area director, sports director at state level, member on the National Sports Advisory Council in 2000 and progressed to the international platform. Venisha currently serves as the primary sports operation staff liaison to the World Games Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for 8 Winter Sports (2,000 athletes) and 24 Summer Sports (7,000 athletes). This key leadership role entails working closely with the LOC in the planning, execution and evaluation of the sport specific operations to ensure a safe, quality and dignified sports competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities. She also has oversight of the selection, training, management, and evaluation of the global volunteer sport specific technical delegates for World Games and international sports technical officials, and guidance in sports operation policy direction. Throughout the past 23 years on the international platform, Venisha has secured 10 Special Olympics World Games in her career profile. Prior to joining staff with the Special Olympics movement, Venisha worked with the 1996 Olympics Games in Atlanta in the Sports Department – Training Sites. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education from Virginia State University and a Master’s Degree in Sport Management from Virginia Tech.

Venisha resides in Raleigh, North Carolina