Compuware Renews Its Bronze Level Corporate Sponsorship with BDPA

BDPA is pleased to announce that Compuware renewed its Bronze Level corporate sponsorship earlier this month. The funding goes to support the SITES program hosted by our BDPA Detroit chapter. Kudos to BDPA Detroit chapter president Beverly Moore and her leadership team for continuing to demonstrate the ROI-value proposition to Compuware again in 2013.

As an aside, the funding will also ensure that Compuware employees Ron Bell and Daisha Herring will be full conference registrants later this year at the 35th Annual National BDPA Technology Conference and Career Expo.

Compuware Sponsors BDPA Atlanta Chapter

L-R: Keota Lynn Golden, Sr. Account Manager; Charlotte Simmons, Product & Sales Account Manager;

Karen Porat, Technical Recruiter; & Jay Hughes, Services Account Manager

The Atlanta Compuware team (Keota Lynn, Jay, Charlotte, & Karen) all attended the BDPA Atlanta chapter's program meeting. Compuware presented BDPA with a check in the amount of $2,500. The chapter's program meetings in September, October and November will be sponsored by Compuware. In addition, Compuware will play a large role in the 2008 chapter awards event.

Compuware wants to take an active role in partnering with the Atlanta chapter and the chapter leadership is very excited to have them as a new sponsor.

BDPA Conference: Compuware Reception

Compuware sponsored the Opening Ceremonies reception this evening. Over 250 people demonstrated the concept of 'power networking' at this event. Lori Walker, Compuware's global diversity officer and Anquanette Clegg, Compuware associate and BDPA Detroit chapter president greeted everyone as they entered into the reception area.

Earl Pace (founder), Norman Mays (past national president) and Dr. Jesse Bemley (IT Showcase coordinator) were networking hard in the reception.

The only HSCC students in attendance were those from BDPA Detroit chapter. They took advantage of the opportunity to thank Compuware executives and associates in person for the financial support that got them to Atlanta.

I had opportunity to talk with Compuware president/COO Bob Paul about the strength of the realtionship between BDPA and Compuware. My understanding is that Compuware as invested more in BDPA over the course of our existence than any other corporation in the universe. As such, we were pleased that Mr. Paul was able to fly in this evening to address the audience.

Mr. Paul came to the podium after a video presentation showing the evolution of Compuware into its current-state as a worldwide leader in the IT industry. Mr. Paul emphasized two major realities that we face in the IT industry.

1. First, he noted the declining number of college graduates from North America with degrees in the technology, computer science or related industries. Many college students worry that IT jobs are going offshore and that fear contributes to less students in this critical field of study.


2. Second, he pointed out that the curriculum being taught in North America at our high schools and colleges as it relates to technology and computer science does not adequately match up with the needs of Corporate America

Mr. Paul noted that Compuware plans to hire 1,000 IT professionals over the next year. He looks forward to seeing BDPA conference participants at the Compuware career fair booth later this week.

Finally, he concluded by thanking BDPA for the continued work that is done with training high school students, mentoring college students, and providing professional development opportunities for IT professionals.

Personally, I hope that we are able to see Compuware featured prominently at the 2009 BDPA Technology Conference that will be held in Raleigh, NC. I would love to see Mr. Paul and his boss, Peter Karmanos giving keynotes!

Raffle winners at the Compuware Reception were Michael Williams (BDPA New Jersey) and Anthony Garrett-Leverette (BDPA Detroit).

Ohio Provides $11M to Grow Technology in Cincinnati

BDPA Cincinnati chapter has won more awards in this decade than any other chapter in the nation. They were the 1st runner-up for Chapter of the Year behind BDPA Philadelphia chapter this year. The chapter is engaged in the technology efforts within their city. One such effort is known as CincyTechUSA. We encourage all BETF-Blog readers in the greater Cincinnati area to join us for an update on the progress being made by Cincy TechUSA presented by Robert Scott and Mike Venerable.

CincyTechUSA is a non-profit venture development corporation working to increase the number of Cincinnati-based technology companies. The state of Ohio awarded CincyTechUSA with an $11 million grant as part of effort to stimulate growth of technology companies in this area. Robert is a Vice President Executive on loan to CincyTechUSA from Procter & Gamble. Robert is also a member of both BDPA and ITSMF. In fact, for many years Robert served as a chair of the BDPA Cincinnati corporate advisory council.

Mike is an Executive-in-Residence at CincyTechUSA, where he is leveraging his extensive background as an executive and entrepreneur to coach new business ventures. Robert and Mike are anxious to encourage participation by more IT businesses owned by African Americans as part of the CincyTechUSA portfolio.

If you or someone you know has a technology based business or business idea or you're just curious, you should plan to attend this meeting to learn more about this opportunity and share what you learn with others! There is no cost to attend the September 2007 program meeting and refreshments will be served. Here are the logistics for the event:

When: - Thursday September 20, 2007
Networking: 6 pm - 6:30 pm (bring your business cards!); Presentation begins at 6:30 pm
Where: Compuware - 4555 Lake Forrest Drive, 5th Floor
Pfeiffer Roard and Reed-Hartman Hwy across from the Embassy Suites
Blue Ash, OH 45242

I am a proud member of the BDPA Cincinnati chapter. As such, I hope that many of our BETF-Blog readers will take advantage of the opportunity to network and learn some very unique insights about our technology community. Can Cincinnati become the Silicon Valley of the midwest?