Dr. Bundy is a Naval War College Professor and a retired Navy captain. He was the first African American to rise from the enlisted ranks to command a submarine and the third African American to command a submarine.
I was the National BDPA vice president in 2002 when I first met Will. He was instrumental in taking BDPA to the next level with the first-ever Platinum corporate sponsorship ... he was an adviser in the creation of two different local BDPA chapters ... he served for a number of years as an outside director to the national BDPA board of directors ... and he championed ideas that eventually became known as the BDPA IT Institute and the BDPA Epsilon Awards.
Will agreed to share his thoughts and insights on BDPA as part of our Take Five interview series.
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| Will Bundy |
- How did you get involved with BDPA? - As a Vice President at FleetBoston Financial Technology and Operations Division I was appointed by the Chief Information Officer to establish a relationship with BDPA. We were intent on embracing a Diversity strategy that included professional development for our technologists. In my career in the Navy, I was a life member of the National Naval Officers Association. I felt there were significant parallels between BDPA and NNOA. Both associations had a charter that advanced members from the “deckplates to the boardroom”.
- What do you see as the biggest benefit of your BDPA membership? - BDPA offers members an opportunity to build strong professional networks, share success with other members and encourage those who follow in our footsteps – those high school and college students who participate in BDPA programs. BDPA membership enables us to reflect on the possible and to pursue leadership challenges in a nurturing environment. I derive personal satisfaction from my involvement with the Epsilon Awards Program and from my previous service on the BDPA Board of Directors.
- What future evolution or change would you like to see in BDPA? - I would like to see BDPA become the hub of a national program that links colleges and universities with organizations like the U.S. Navy and major corporations that will sponsor STEM programs and scholarships leading to technology careers. Beyond providing a development environment for professionals, I would like to see BDPA serve as a focal point dedicated to addressing our STEM deficiencies. The lack of STEM students and professionals in the United States is a concern that must be addressed at all levels in every community.
- What would you like Corporate America to know about BDPA? - When I was at FleetBoston Financial my main effort was to establish BDPA chapters at our major locations. Visibility and meaningful results matter when we seek corporate sponsorship. It was important to me to establish viable chapters that supported professional development and “gave back to the communities they served”. Corporate America needs to know that an investment in BDPA will produce a highly visible and worthwhile contribution to development of their associates and their communities.
- Any advice for people considering a donation to BETF? - Personal and corporate contributions to BETF will have a positive impact on developing STEM students and professionals while assuring a broad based contribution by BDPA members in building our economy. A tax deductible contribution to BETF is just as effective as paying tax that is ultimately used to stimulate growth except you are able to choose where you dollars go when you support BETF.
Our hope is that these Take Five interviews will generate thoughts and comments. What are your thoughts after reading what Will Bundy had to say?
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