Citi Foundation

The Citi Foundation is committed to the economic empowerment of individuals and families, particularly those in need, in the communities where they work so that they can improve their standard of living. They fulfill this mission by providing grant support for programs that are aligned with their priority focus areas, promote collaboration and effective use of philanthropic resources, engage our employees, and demonstrate impact and positive outcomes.

They are particularly interested in supporting program innovations with education programs that help improve quality and access to primary and secondary education in Citi markets internationally, and in the United States programs that increase the number of low-income and first-generation students who enroll in postsecondary education and earn a degree.

Expanding educational opportunities and helping to improve academic achievement can be one of the most effective strategies for economically empowering households and increasing the ability of young people to contribute positively to the broader economy. Citi Foundation seek to support programs that focus on basic elementary and secondary education, as well as higher education programs that enrich the educational offerings at undergraduate and graduate schools of business. Recognizing how critical obtaining a college degree is to increasing earning power and breaking inter-generational cycles of poverty, they are particularly focused on efforts to generate a dramatic and sustainable increase in the number of low-income and first-generation students who enroll in college and obtain a degree.

The Citi Foundation reviews proposals by invitation only from organizations with demonstrated successes in its outlined focus areas. Citi Foundation has sharply focused their grant making to satisfy ongoing commitments in these areas throughout the world. Please note that Citi Foundation will not review any unsolicited letters of inquiry or proposals.

Do you know anyone that can get us an invitation for funding by the Citi Foundation?

Find BDPA Volunteers in HandsOn Network

Krystal Cooper was on the 1991-1992 high school computer competition (HSCC) teams trained by BDPA Los Angeles. It turns out that she graduated from the same college (University of California, Riverside) as the BETF executive director. Cooper is currently an arts patron and visual effects professional who enjoys pop culture, advocacy and community service.

Anyhow, she contacted BDPA about Disney for a Day program created to inspire one million people to volunteer and celebrate volunteerism with a free ticket to a Disney theme park.

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) ended up participating in this program through the HandsOn Network. HandsOn Network provides a remarkable process for any BDPA chapter to identify volunteers.

BDPA Orlando was the first chapter to take advantage of this program. Chapter president Pablo More wrote,

---

BDPA Orlando signed up thru the BDPA Foundation to participate in the Hands on Network Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day program. This program has been very successful for us in getting volunteers for various program meetings as well as for next month's Black Family Tech Awareness Week activities. We have received more than a dozen responses from potential volunteers in the first 2 weeks of the year. I would like to thank John Malonson, BDPA Los Angeles chapter President, for making us aware of this program, as well as Wayne Hicks (BDPA Foundation) for coordinating this fantastic program!

I encourage other chapters whom are in need of volunteers to take a look at this program and also search out other similar programs in your area that can be utilize like this for volunteers. I believe that we will see this model replay itself with other non-profit organizations and private enterprise giving the economic climate and the call for more community action and volunteering to help our neighbors and those less fortunate.

---

So far we have three chapters -- Los Angeles, New York and Orlando -- participating in this program. Who's next?

Goldman Sachs Foundation

The Goldman Sachs Foundation was funded in 1999 with a $200 million donation from The Goldman Sachs Group. The Foundation’s mission is to promote excellence and innovation in education worldwide. The Foundation is an important extension of the tradition of philanthropy and public leadership at Goldman Sachs.

The company is considering new charity rules to soften criticism over the size of its bonuses, which are expected to be among the largest on Wall Street, bringing average pay to about $595,000 for each employee — with far higher amounts for top performers.

Grants have been awarded in excess of $114 million since its inception, providing opportunities for young people in more than 20 countries.

Their Program Interests - Funding priorities are determined by a periodic assessment of needs and opportunities in the field of education. Current priorities are:

• To develop the abilities of promising high potential youth worldwide
• To support high quality education for young people in leadership, entrepreneurship and business education
• To enhance academic performance and prospects for life achievement of students at the secondary school level

Candidates for Funding - The Foundation makes only a small number of large grants to effective, high quality organizations that:

• Implement achievement oriented education programs
• Produce substantial, measurable results
• Possess a well delineated plan for broad dissemination and outreach
• Demonstrate exceptional promise
• Employ strong leadership
• Command distinguished records of accomplishment
• Evidence a clear capacity to expend sizable grants wisely

The Foundation is able to respond favorably to an extremely small fraction of the requests that it receives. Rarely will a grant be made in response to an unsolicited proposal.

Letter of Inquiry - Prospective applicants are invited to explain their ideas informally by submitting to the Foundation a short letter (of about two pages) describing the program or organization for which a grant is sought, its mission, accomplishments, budget size and current funding needs. Documentation of results achieved to date is highly desirable. Submission of published program descriptions or brochures also is encouraged. On the basis of this information, staff will determine whether additional materials are required and contact prospective grantees accordingly.

Deadlines - With few exceptions, there are no fixed deadlines. The Foundation makes grants throughout the year.

Grant Inquiries Should be Directed to:

The Goldman Sachs Foundation
85 Broad Street, 22nd floor
New York, NY 10004

Take Five: Carter Hill (Atlanta)

BDPA Atlanta chapter elected Carter Hill to take them to the next level. I look forward to seeing how he does over the coming months and years. For now, we are grateful to Carter for participating in our Take Five interview series. Here is what he had to say:

---

1. How did you get involved in working with BDPA? - I originally got involved with BDPA back in the year 1994. I was working in Omaha, Nebraska and was beginning to network with various organizations. I had been a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and was intrigued with an organization for African Americans specifically in the IT field. Within a year, I had helped found the Omaha chapter and served as its Treasurer. After moving from the Midwest to Atlanta, I took a break from BDPA. But I've been involved with the Atlanta chapter consistently since 2007 and wouldn't trade these experiences for the world. [NOTE: Carter is shown in photo with past Atlanta chapter president Teresa Williams]


2. What is the most rewarding aspect of working with BDPA? - The thing I find most rewarding with BDPA is our community outreach particularly the HSCC programs. Our ability to change the lives of young people and show them an alternative is priceless. The mass media seems to want to tell young Black people their only career options are in sports and entertainment. The election of Barack Obama to the Presidency has greatly helped to counter that notion. However, organization like ours working nationally and at the grass roots level still have a lot of work to do. BDPA instills in our students the belief that they can achieve in any legitimate field of endeavor that they wish. If we can do the same at the middle school and collegiate level, then we can definitely live up to our vision of "From the classroom to the boardroom"


3. Tell us about a defining moment in your life? - The defining moment of my life was the day I got a scholarship letter from my undergraduate institute Morris Brown College. Prior to this time nobody on either side of my family had ever attended college. It was then that I realized that dreams can come true and you can change your life through hard work. From that moment forward my life has drastically changed from that of my peers and family. Education and perseverance are key to succeeding in life. I think that is why I believe so deeply in BDPA's mission. When we teach the HSCC students we are not just teaching them web development and database concepts, we are teaching them how to change the course of their lives.


4. Who is your hero and why? - There are several people that I have admired for their accomplishments like Nelson Mandela, James Doolittle or Paul Robeson. But I can't really say that I have one that I would call a personal hero.


5. Any advice for people considering donation to BETF? - BETF allows BDPA chapters to function and operate their SITES programs. So I would tell a potential donor to give abundantly and often.

---

I remember when we had the BDPA chapter in Omaha NE. Although that chapter didn't survive it is wonderful to see that the talent uncovered in Nebraska is still supporting our BDPA efforts! I hope that you will take a moment to share some BDPA-Love with Bro. Hill!

Matching Gift: Prudential Foundation

Each year, The Prudential Foundation invests over $25 million in grants in efforts that support the revitalization of communities and support Prudential employees' community engagement efforts.

Coram Rimes is a Prudential employee who made a generous donation to the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) last year. He took the next step of applying for the 180% matching gift from the Prudential Foundation. BETF recently deposited a $225 check from Prudential Foundation into our Jesse Bemley Scholarship Fund on behalf of Coram.

I hope that other Prudential employees that are supporters of BDPA will make this same move in 2010. In fact, I hope that all BDPA supporters working in Corporate America will take a moment to find out whether or not their employer has a matching gifts program. If so, please let us know!

Where Are They Now: Black IT Professional Magazine

Do any of you remember the Black IT Professional Magazine that we published back in 2004-2005 era? I was very proud to be national president when this glossy-covered magazine was a publication shared with all BDPA members and conference attendees.

There were a number of BDPA members, entrepreneurs and experts in the August 2004 issue of the magazine (see list below). I wonder where they are now?

• Robert Anthony - 'Securing Our Resources at Home and Abroad'


• Mario Armstrong (Mayor's Office of Baltimore) - who's who in IT


• Adrian Backus (Princeton Theological Seminary) - who's who in IT


• Tonee Bell (A Unity System) - 'Making His Mark in Computer Technology'


• Robert Bonow, MD - 'Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle'


• Vercilla Brown (BDPA Exec Director) - 'Membership message'


• Todd Stephen Burroughs - 'Securing America Post 9-11'


• Geary Broadnax (Dovarri) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'


• Dale Bryant (The Bryant Group) - 'Finding Financial Security'


• Stampp Corbin (RetroBox) - 'IT Entrpreneurs Creating Our Own'


• Richard Campbell (Securiant) - 'Securing Our Future Through Technology'


• Tony Davis (ElliottRoth & Associates) - 'Supercharge Your Career'


• Sharon Dawes - 'Securing America Post 9-11'


• Linda DeLavallade (Hewitt Associates) - 'Supercharge Your Career'


• Lurita Doan (New Technology Management) - 'Securing Our Future Through Technology'


• David Dobrin - 'Securing America Post 9-11'


• Sonya Donaldson - 'Securing Our Future Through Technology'


• Pierre Dunagan (The Dunagan Group) - 'Finding Financial Security'


• William Farrow (Chicago Board of Trade) - 'Supercharge Your Career'


• Marvin Fields - 'Supercharge Your Career'


• Elizabeth Fife, Ph.D. (Center for Telecom Management) - 'Careers in Telecommunications'


• Ansel Floy (Medstar Health VNA) - who's who in IT


• Sharon Gazaway-Bell (Audio X-Press) - 'Team Building: Play Your Way to Profits'


• Chance Glenn, Ph.D. (Syncrodyne) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'


• Melvin Gravely, Ph.D. (Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'


• Charles Hickey (BDPA Los Angeles) - 'BDPA Member Invovled in Community Outreach'


• Wayne Hicks - BDPA president's message


• David Hinson (Wealth Management Network) - 'Finding Financial Security'


• Gerald Hoffman - 'Securing America Post 9-11'


• Pamela Horne (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts) - who's who in IT


• Jamal Jackson (Detroit MI) - letter to the editor


• Dr. Mae Jemison - 'Dr. Mae Jemison is Headliner at BDPA Conference'


• Pamela Jeter (Verizon Communications) - who's who in IT


• Channelle Johnson (Washington DC) - letter to the editor


• Josephine Johnson, MD - 'Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle'


• Marcus Johnson - 'Team Building: Play Your Way to Profits'


• Patrice Kelly - 'Team Building: Play Your Way to Profits'


• John Laney (CM IT Solutions) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'


• David Malone (Information Logistics Group) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'


• Cathy Marks (Houston TX) - letter to the editor


• John McCarthy - 'Securing America Post 9-11'


• Pamela McElvane - publisher's page


• Lamont Meeks (ComSys) - 'Securing Our Future Through Technology'


• Sheryl Nance-Nash - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'


• Sherreen Ogletree (Wiltech Systems Group) - who's who in IT


• Deborah Owens - 'Get Your Wealth Online'


• James Owens - 'Careers in Telecommunications'


• Tyrone Parker (Hewitt Associates) - 'Supercharge Your Career'


• Francis Pereira, Ph.D. (Center for Telecom Management) - 'Careers in Telecommunications'


• Bruce Scheier - 'Securing America Post 9-11'


• Matthew Scott - 'Finding Financial Security'


• Mary Spio (Gray-Spio Digital Media) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'


• Lolita Standifer - 'BDPA Member Involved in Community Outreach'


• Stephen Trilling (Symantec) - 'Careers in Telecommunications'


• Arthur Varnardo (T. Rowe Price) - 'Get Your Wealth Online'


• Montressa Washington - 'Get Your Wealth Online'


• Carolyn White - 'Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle' and 'Making His Mark in Computer Technology'


• Gregory White (Watson Wyatt Worldwide) - 'Careers in Telecommunications'


• Rebecca Whitener (EDS) - 'Securing Our Resources at Home and Abroad'


• Charmon Parker Williams, Ph.D. - 'Supercharge Your Career'


• Don Woodard, MD - 'Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle'


• Annette Yates (BDPA Richmond) - 'Member Spotlight'

Where are they now?

Top Rated Charities by City

GreatNonprofits published the first-ever "top charities" lists based on user ratings and reviews. BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) was very interested in the top-rated charities focused on support of youth programs.

GreatNonprofits also identified the highest-rated charities in 13 cities:

Top Nonprofits by City:

1. Boston
2. Chicago
3. Los Angeles
4. Twin Cities
5. New York
6. Bay Area
7. Philadelphia
8. Pittsburgh
9. San Diego
10. San Francisco
11. San Jose
12. Seattle
13. Washington, D.C.

Do you see any corporate foundations or nonprofit foundations on the youth or geographic lists that may find synergy with our Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program?

Do Any of the Outstanding Science, Math, Engineering Teachers or Mentors Support BDPA?

Did you see where President Barack Obama named more than 100 science, math, and engineering teachers and mentors as recipients of two prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence? I wonder if any of these educators are aware of the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program implemented by BDPA in 45 cities around the nation?

Anyhow, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, awarded each year to individuals or organizations, recognizes the crucial role that mentoring plays in the academic and personal development of students studying science or engineering and who belong to minorities that are underrepresented in those fields. By offering their time, encouragement and expertise to these students, mentors help ensure that the next generation of scientists and engineers will better reflect the diversity of the United States.

Candidates for the Presidential Mentoring Award are nominated by colleagues, administrators, and students from their home institutions. The mentoring can involve students at any grade level from elementary through graduate school. In addition to being honored at the White House, recipients receive awards of $10,000 to advance their mentoring efforts.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded annually to the best pre-college-level science and math teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process done at the state level. Each year the award alternates, going either to science and math teachers in grades K through 6 (as it did in 2009) or to those teaching in grades 7 through 12.

"There is no higher calling than furthering the educational advancement of our nation’s young people and encouraging and inspiring our next generation of leaders," President Obama said. "These awards represent a heartfelt salute of appreciation to a remarkable group of individuals who have devoted their lives and careers to helping others and in doing so have helped us all."

The individuals and organizations receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in 2009 are:

• Frank T. Bayliss Jr., San Francisco State University, CA
• Laura Lynne J. Bottomley, North Carolina State University, NC
• Goldie S. Byrd, North Carolina A&T State University, NC
• Suzzette F. Chopin, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, TX
• Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, University of Central Florida , FL
• Patricia A. DeLeon, University of Delaware, DE
• Nancy L. Elwess, SUNY College, Plattsburgh, NY
• Benjamin C. Flores, University of Texas, El Paso, TX
• Susan M. Kauzlarich, University of California, Davis, CA
• Philip Kutzko, University of Iowa, IA
• Cato T. Laurencin, University of Virginia, VA
• Jerzy R. Leszczynski, Jackson State University, MS
• Mary Anne Nelson, University of New Mexico, NM
• Steven B. Oppenheimer, California State University, Northridge, CA
• Stacy Phelps, Chief Executive Officer, The American Indian Institute for Innovation, SD
• Ashanti Johnson, University of South Florida and Institute for Broadening Participation, FL
• Kennedy J. Reed, Lawrence Livermore Natl. Lab. and the University of California, CA
• Kenneth S. Sajwan, Savannah State University, GA
• Richard N. Zare, Stanford University, CA
• Leadership Alliance, Providence, RI
• Maria Mitchell Association, Nantucket, MA
• Project Exploration, Chicago, IL

The individuals receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2009 are:

• Vickie Ahlstrom, Lehi, UT
• Charles Bertsch, Polson, MT
• Mary Black, Dubuque, IA
• Georgia Boatman, Kennewick, WA
• Michele Brees, SeaTac, WA
• Stacie Broden, Southbury, CT
• James Brown, Albany, NY
• Sharon Brown, Middle River, MD
• Jane Callery, East Hartford, CT
• Susan Carter, University City, MO
• Cary Cermak-Rudolf, Roseburg, OR
• Melissa Collins, Memphis, TN
• Kathleen Conroy, Charlotte, NC
• Zan Coonce, Reno, NV
• Jo Anne Deshon, Newark, DE
• Jeri Doane, Edmond, OK
• Kari Dombrovski, Saint Cloud, MN
• Keri Dowdy, Mayfield, KY
• Christa Duthie-Fox, Charlotte, VT
• Candy Ellard, Austin, TX
• Amy Ellis, Starkville, MS
• Gay Lynn Erb, Caldwell, ID
• Kathryn Eyolfson, Aurora, CO
• Diana Fesmire, Alamogordo, NM
• Erin Flynn, Roslindale, MA
• Karen Fredricks, Newark, DE
• Christi Fricks, Anderson, SC
• Sharon Hall, Maineville, OH
• Lana Hansen, Centennial, CO
• Angela Hansen Cook, Fargo, ND
• Michelle Harris, Anita, IA
• Sherry Helus, Wamego, KS
• Kathleen Hill, Whitefish, MT
• Rebecca Holden, Chattanooga, TN
• Laura Ann Hulsebus, Eagle River, AK
• David Ireland, Rapid City, SD
• Dana Islas, Tucson, AZ
• Haley James, Toney, AL
• Kristen Jarboe, Frankfort, KY
• Linda Kehr, Klamath Falls, OR
• Sandra Kelish, Fredericksburg, VA
• Barbara Kelley, Grapevine, TX
• Rebecca Kitts, Pierre, SD
• Amy Knerr, Carmel, IN
• Susan Kunze, Bishop, CA
• Anne Magaha, Rydal, PA
• Mildred Marin-Torres, Yauco, PR
• Loreen McMains, Omaha, NE
• Mary Beth Meggett, Charleston, SC
• Teresa Minogue, Canterbury, NH
• Patricia Morgan, Norman, OK
• Kimberly Mueller, Lumberton, NJ
• Susan Naylor, Parkersburg, WV
• Karen Nesbit, Franklin, WI
• Cathleen Newton, White River Junction, VT
• Jennifer Norford, Charlotte Amalie, VI
• Monica Norwood, Little Rock, AR
• Suzanne O'Brien, Macomb, MI
• Halley Page, Athens, GA
• Sally Pellegrin, Cleveland, OH
• Carrie Persing, Chester, VA
• Jon Phillips, Waterford, MI
• Suzanne Pilon, Hilton, NY
• Sara Rebecca Pittard, Ormond Beach, FL
• Susan Poage, Berkeley Heights, NJ
• Kendra Pullen, Shreveport, LA
• Amy Radden, Evansville, WY
• Charles Reynes, Castro Valley, CA
• Debra Reynolds, Baton Rouge, LA
• Kamilla Riek, Saint Louis, MO
• Jennifer Rising, Lake Forest, IL
• Natalie Robinson, Pleasant Grove, UT
• Patia Rountree, Brooklet, GA
• Regina Scott, Franklin, IN
• Deborah Seaver, Milford, MA
• Wendy Shelden, Rockledge, FL
• Cheryl Silcox, White Mountain, AK
• Jeanette Simmons, Pontotoc, MS
• Kimberly Spencer, Yarmouth, ME
• Barbara Stoflet, Minnetonka, MN
• Melinda Storey, Mountain Brook, AL
• Carol Swink Wooten, Raleigh, NC
• DeAnn Swofford, Gardner, KS
• Liane Tanigawa, Aiea, HI
• Pamela Thompson, Madison, ME
• Nola Wilkinson, Decatur, IL
• Seanyelle Yagi, Honolulu, HI

Do you know any of these educators or mentors honored last year? If not, we have a chance to make a difference ... the deadline for nominating an educator in your city to receive this award is still a few months away!

KFC Colonel's Scholars Program

The KFC Colonel's Scholars Program® is looking for high school seniors with entrepreneurial drive, strong perseverance, demonstrated financial need, and who want to pursue a college education at an accredited public institution in the state they reside. This program is offered to high school seniors planning to attend a public in-state college or university.

Students who meet the criteria may apply online to become a KFC’s Colonel’s Scholar. Students selected for this scholarship are eligible to receive up to $20,000 to complete a bachelor’s degree program. [Read More]

Top 10 BDPA Chapters (Membership, Feb 2010)

The lifeblood of any professional association is its membership. The incoming administration composed of the elected and appointed officers, BDPA Founder and the Executive Director developed a short and long term strategy that aligns with the BDPA mission and brings the organization to focus on the primary product of the organization, its members and membership by executing a shared vision of: “Taking Membership to the Next Level”.

This new and powerful vision is critical for our organization. We have less members than at any time since Feb 2002.

Personally, I plan to help the incoming administration raise morale and engage the membership in ways that allow BDPA to flourish again. We can ill-afford another two years as rough as we experienced in 2008-2009.

The 45 BDPA chapters in BDPA-nation average 39 members (down 10 from last quarter).

There is some good news in the membership numbers. We welcome two new entrants into the top ten. BDPA Southern Minnesota (president, Charlie Perkins) joined the top ten list for the first time since May 2008. BDPA New York (president, Judaea Lane) entered the top ten list for the first time since Sep 2009.

BDPA Dallas (president, Chris Johnson) and BDPA New Jersey (president, Coram Rimes) each rose one spot in the rankings since last quarter.

BDPA Cincinnati (president, Wanda Gray) dropped one spot to 8th place. BDPA Richmond (president, Jamar Arvin) and BDPA Washington DC (president, Perry Carter) each dropped off the top 10 list this month.

Finally, we celebrate the fact that BDPA Chicago (president, Pamela Sexton) maintains its place as the largest chapter in the nation for the 34th month in a row!

The top ten chapters in terms of membership as of 2/1/2010 are:

1. Chicago - (chapter president shown in photo)


2. Triangle


3. Philadelphia


4. Atlanta


5. Southern Minnesota (rose 8 places since Nov 2009)


6. Detroit


7. Dallas - (jumped one place since Nov 2009)


8. Cincinnati - (dropped one place since Nov 2009)


9. New Jersey - (jumped one place since Nov 2009)


10. New York - (jumped one place since Nov 2009)

The first three (3) chapters on this list are in the BDPA Century Club with at least 100 members. BDPA Chicago chapter tops the list with 282 members!

BDPA Education & Technology Foundation provided over $175,000 in funding last year to support the programs and services carried out by these chapters at local level. Our hope is that you will consider making a donation to BETF this year. You can securely donate online or you can give BETF a call on (513) 284-4968 to discuss your pledge offline.

What are your thoughts on membership in BDPA?

President Profile: BDPA Charlotte (Markus Beamer)

BDPA Charlotte chapter recently elected Markus Beamer (Bank of America) to serve as its president in 2012-2013. Markus shared the following profile on his chapter's website:

---

My name is Markus Beamer. I was born in Tacoma Washington but was raised in Columbia South Carolina. I come from a family of 4 boys and 2 girls and thus am used to a very hectic environment. “Never a dull moment” is certainly the motto for our home growing up. That’s probably why 11 years ago I turned to technology for a career, “Never a dull moment” sums up its progress quite nicely.

During my college years, at the College of Charleston, my first exploration into technology was as a web developer for a software licensing firm. I started out typing HTML and Javascript into a simple notepad window. Through the years I touched upon CSS, Java, Visual Basic, PHP, mySQL, Photoshop, Access, Oracle and MS SQL Server in that exact order. However, I find it quite amusing that to this day when I want to write a bit of code I reach for my notepad application first ... no matter the language. Needless to say, I found a love in technology. No matter how much I knew, I never was bored, as something new was but a day away. Change was always going to come.

Of course change can come when you grow the family. Currently my family is in Charlotte North Carolina. I am the lucky husband to one fine lady and the proud father of two rambunctious boys. I am happy to say that my household carries on the tradition of “Never a dull moment”. My oldest son is crazy for electronics and all things technical. My youngest son is definitely the outdoor, rough and tumble kinda fella. They both attract their fair share of friends and our house has become the “neighborhood” house. (much to my wife’s dismay!)

I currently work at Bank of America as a Business Process Consultant. When asked, I tell friends and family that my role is to help “leadership” make the best use of technology and in truth this is what I do. However the role affords me much more than that, I am at a crucial nexus where the needs, desires and ambitions of the business meet the calculations, formulas and algorithms of technology. It’s a great place to be and I don’t think I’ll change it for some time to come.

But…

At times one gets bored with the day to day. It is in those times that I turn to my hobby of game building. Like most hobbies it is silly yet fulfilling. I build small games that can be played in a browser; my specialty is to build them with JavaScript so they do not require any plug-ins or downloads to play. Sometimes the games are role based, sometimes they are card based, other times they are ... different. I have been doing this since 1999. I laugh when I think of the number of games I have written and thrown by the wayside (at last count 24). But that is what a hobby is ... a wasted time that allows the mind, body and soul to reset.

I hope that having learned a little more about me, you will reach out and shake my hand. I am always happy to meet new folks.

Thanks for reading.
Markus Beamer, president-elect
BDPA Charlotte Chapter
Blog: http://mobeamer.blogspot.com/

---

Share some love with Markus using the COMMENT option below!