The Phi Kappa Tau fraternity is delighted to announce the election of two outstanding individuals to lead the National Council. Michael McCrum, a distinguished attorney, and Michael Lummus, a senior executive in the software industry, were elected as President and Vice President, respectively, by the vote of the Convention body at the 65th National Convention of Phi Kappa Tau in Las Vegas, NV.
Introducing Michael McCrum, Texas State ’75
President McCrum delivering his acceptance speech.
McCrum's journey is one of dedication, excellence, and unwavering commitment to public service. After graduating from Texas State University, he embarked on a remarkable career in law enforcement, starting with the Arlington Police Department and later joining the Dallas Police Department. Driven to broaden his horizons, Michael pursued a law degree and graduated with the third-highest scholastic average in his class. Throughout his legal career, he achieved remarkable success in commercial transactions and litigation before joining the U.S. Department of Justice as a federal prosecutor. During his tenure, Michael McCrum chaired various interagency, state, and federal task forces; he led national and international economic fraud investigations and prosecutions—his work earned him several national awards.
Following his distinguished tenure with the U.S. Department of Justice, he ventured into private practice, successfully operating his own law office for over two decades. Michael's expertise and dedication were recognized by federal judges, who appointed him to serve on various committees. Notably, he garnered joint bi-partisan written recommendations from prominent U.S. Republican Senators and the entire Democratic Congressional Caucus from Texas for the prestigious role of President's appointed U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Texas. Additionally, his outstanding contributions to the legal community led to his election as the attorney of the year by his professional peer organization in 2016. His reputation as a non-partisan attorney with specialized knowledge in public corruption, constitutional law, and economic crime earned him a remarkable opportunity to be appointed as the prosecutor in the investigation and prosecution of former Texas Governor Rick Perry, a testament to his legal acumen and integrity.
Outside the legal realm, Michael's passion for Phi Kappa Tau remained unwavering. His service within the fraternity began as Rush Chairman and President of the Resident Council in the late 1970s. He continued to actively support his Gamma Psi Chapter, even after its unfortunate closure. However, his determination and hard work, alongside other alumni, eventually led to the successful restart and re-chartering of Gamma Psi in 2015. McCrum served as the inaugural Graduate Council President for five years for Gamma Psi in addition to lending his talents to other Phi Tau chapters in the area.
When asked about what he is most excited about McCrum had this to say, “I am excited to bring a fresh, experienced perspective and energy to national governance. I look forward to applying the skills I have acquired over the past 45 years to serve the interests of all brothers within our great fraternity," reflects his enthusiasm and dedication to Phi Kappa Tau's future.
Meet Michael Lummus, Belmont ’06
Vice President Lummus delivering his acceptance speech.
Michael Lummus brings a wealth of executive leadership and strategic planning expertise to the National Council. As the Senior Vice President of Strategy and Chief of Staff at Aprimo, an AI-powered content software company, Michael has demonstrated his prowess in leading transformative change and turnarounds in high-growth organizations.
His professional journey includes significant leadership roles at Teradata and Acxiom, where he focused on connecting strategic vision to execution, building consensus within diverse teams, and tackling complex challenges with analytical and honest approaches.
Lummus’ commitment to Phi Kappa Tau has been equally remarkable. Having volunteered as a BOG member, Domain Director, and National Councilor for the past 7 years; he has actively contributed to the fraternity's success. Some of his most memorable experiences revolve around facilitating various educational programs that empower Phi Kappa Tau members to grow and thrive.
Lummus expressed his excitement for the fraternity's future, saying, "I'm excited about the important time we're in, the team we have in place, and the opportunity to see firsthand the progress we're primed to make. We have new leadership, a new CEO, an ambitious Strategic Plan, and a mandate for positive change and building a better Fraternity."
A Bright Future for Phi Kappa Tau
The National Council reciting their oath of service.
With Michael McCrum as President and Michael Lummus as Vice President, Phi Kappa Tau is poised to embrace a bright future. Their diverse backgrounds and unwavering commitment to the fraternity's values will undoubtedly elevate Phi Kappa Tau to new heights.
The National Council welcomes these elects with enthusiasm, eager to see their fresh perspectives and dedication benefit the entire fraternity. As Phi Kappa Tau embarks on a new chapter in its history, the members look forward to the positive impact of these two exceptional leaders.