National BDPA Elections (2016-2017)

National BDPA conducted its bi-annual elections earlier this month.  Here are election results for the organization's board of directors. The two-year terms of the newly elected board members will begin January 1, 2016. Election results for the National BDPA Board of Directors are as follows.
 

Mike Williams National President	Coram Rimes National Vice President, Finance
Pamela Sexton National Vice President	John Malonson Regional Vice President, West
Kirk Williams  Regional Director, West	Felicia Jones Regional Vice President, South
Sharnecia Williams Regional Director, South	Curtis Jenkins Regional Vice President, Northeast
Hayward West Regional Director,Northeast	Michael Wulf Regional Director, Midwest

William Smith Regional Director, Midwest

These newly-elected officers will join with other soon-to-be appointed officers under the leadership of our incoming National BDPA President Mike Williams.  All of BDPA-Nation wishes the very best to each of these brothers and sisters for stepping up to serve as regional and national leaders for our organization. Our plan is to be the wind beneath their wings over the coming two years!

Message from National BDPA President

Pamela Mathews

Hello everyone! Can you believe that we are already in the month of February? Time flies when you work with a controlled sense of urgency! This phrase best summarizes how your national and regional leadership performed in the month of January -- accelerating efforts around the following key activities:

• Appointed Coram Rimes as Vice President of Finance;
• Brand rejuvenation focused on visual optics and updating programming that will increase our member value proposition for current and prospective members, corporate partners, sponsors and students;
•  Registration or training opened for the High School Computer Competition, Mobile Application and IT Showcase programs. I encourage all students, trainers and sponsors to engage in one of these signature programs;
• Reviewed and confirmed organizational finances, including evaluation of 2014 Conference expenses and our plan of action to retire this debt; and
• The 2015 Technology Conference and Career Fair planning is underway and the team is positioned to deliver our best Conference ever. The discount conference registration rate of $300 has been extended until February 28th.

As you can tell, we are not just planning or talking about the tactics that bring our strategy to life, but we are EXECUTING. 2015 is most definitely all about execution and I hope that this energy transcends the entire organization, especially as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary.

In that same spirit, February is also the month we celebrate Black History. Our legacy is one that we can all be proud of and commemorate every day, but especially over the next twenty-six days. In addition, I am encouraging everyone to participate in local Black Family Technology Awareness Week activities.

Furthermore, please remember to renew your membership, register for the Conference and get busy with your local chapter. As a reminder, your local, regional and national leadership stand ready to listen, learn and lead based on your feedback and participation. Thank you in advance for your continued support and collaboration.

In closing, I want to THANK YOU again for the opportunity to serve our great organization as President and please feel free to contact me at info@bdpa.org if you have any questions, comments or concerns.

Sincerely,
Pamela L. Mathews, president
National BDPA

Coram Rimes Steps Down as BDPA Regional Director

I've always referred to Coram Rimes as one of the hardest working members in BDPA. It saddened me to know that he was stepping down as the BDPA Northeast Region director. Coram built a remarkable legacy in BDPA over the course of the past 18 years. He has been a member of the BDPA New Jersey chapter for most of its existence ... serving in a variety of chapter leadership roles including two terms (2003-2004 and 2008-2011) as its president. Coram received the highest award that BDPA gives out to individuals -- the Epsilon Award -- in 2007 for his outstanding community service. He was elected as the first-ever regional director in the nation's history in 2011.

Coram personally supported me in both BDPA and the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF). I've been a keynote speaker at his invitation for a chapter banquet as well as a guest speaker at one of his chapter's program meetings. Coram has been making regular donations in support of BDPA programs, scholarships and services over the years. In fact, he leveraged his own personal donations with a 100% matching gift through an employee-giving program offered by his employer, Prudential.

Coram is one of the few BDPAers in history to be elected to public political office ... serving as both a city councilman and housing authority commissioner for his community. In addition to his IT career with Prudential, Coram uses his entrepreneurial skills every year for a growing tax service business.

Coram's active leadership will be missed by BDPA on a local, regional and national level. But, our loss is somewhat tempered by the fact that he is a lifetime member of the organization that he loves.

I am sure that the entire BDPA nation wishes him the best in his retirement from the regional post and in his new adventures. We hope he will still find time to visit BDPA at local chapter events and the occasional national conference over the coming years!

Sincerely,
R. Wayne Hicks, executive director
BDPA Education and Technology Foundation

BDPA iRadio Show - May 8, 2012

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is very proud to be the creator of the BDPA iRadio Show. Our Internet Radio Show has been up and running for nine months with over 80 guests. You can listen to the archive version of the show using the widget shown in the right-hand sidebar of this blog.

Episodes of the BDPA iRadio Show are now available for immediate and FREE download from the iTunes Store.

Listen to internet radio with BDPA on Blog Talk Radio

---

The guests on the May 8th show:

Kendall Norris - chapter president, BDPA Middle Tennessee - Kendall joined Deloitte Services, Information Technology Services’ Program Management Office as the U.S. Leader accountable for the successful delivery of information technology projects.  Kendall is a member of the Information Technology Senior Management Forum.  Earlier this year Kendall accepted leadership role as president of BDPA Middle Tennessee Chapter.  The chapter is fortunate to have a man with executive leadership experience in the presidency. We look forward to hearing what he and his chapter leadership team envision in 2012 for BDPA stakeholders in the greater Nashville area.

Dr. Donna Grant - assistant computer information systems professor, North Carolina Central University - Dr. Donna Grant earned her Ph.D. in computer science from DePaul University. She is currently an assistant professor at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). She recently earned the NCCU Awards for Teaching Excellence. Dr. Grant learned about BDPA during her time in Chicago. She introduced a number of DePaul students to BDPA programs. There are very few African American Ph.D. graduates in the computer science field every year. We want to know what Dr. Grant thinks about the death of Blacks advancing to the highest academic levels in STEM-centric curriculum. How can BDPA ‘make a difference’ in this area as we look to win the future? In addition, Dr. Grant has done some outstanding research about the low number of Black girls that are advancing in the STEM-related fields. Our audience would like to learn more about this research as well.

Coram Rimes - director, BDPA Northeast Region - Coram has over 35 years of corporate work experience with various roles in marketing & sales, technology, auditing, physical security and information technology for the past 20 years. During his career, he served with increased responsibility from supervisory level, middle management and corporate officer. For the past decade he has been a director. His past employers have been major corporations including, AT&T, Verizon, Bank of New York, and Federal Reserve Bank of New York, TIAA-CREF and Prudential. Coram also has a remarkable history with BDPA. Coram is one of a handful of BDPAers in history to be elected to public office. He was elected to serve on the Orange (NJ) City Council in 2000-2008. Coram is also a business owner. He has operated a tax preparation business since 1985. We look forward to learning the vision and plans that Coram has for the newly-created BDPA Northeast Region.

---

We hope you enjoy the insights and commentary on the show from each of these guests.  Please take a moment to post a comment to let us know that you care!

National BDPA Election Results (2012-2013)

National BDPA conducted its bi-annual elections earlier this month.  Here are election results for the organization's board of directors. The two-year terms of the newly elected board members will begin January 1, 2012. Election results for the National BDPA Board of Directors are as follows.
 

Craig Brown National Vice President	Loraine Stewart National Vice President, Finance
Teresa Williams  Regional Vice President, South	Mike Williams Regional Director, South
Frederick Smith, Jr. Regional Vice President, North	Coram Rimes Regional Director, North
Barbara Allen Regional Vice President, Midwest	Theonnie Shields Regional Director, Midwest

These newly-elected officers will join with other soon-to-be appointed officers under the leadership of our incoming National BDPA President Monique Berry.  All of BDPA-Nation wishes the very best to each of these brothers and sisters for stepping up to serve as regional and national leaders for our organization. Our plan is to be the wind beneath their wings over the coming two years!

BDPA Northeast Regional Director Candidate: Coram Rimes (New Jersey)

BDPA elections are being held this week at the annual Delegates Meeting in Chicago. The organization will be electing regional officers for the first time in its 35-year history. The only nominee for the BDPA Northeast Regional Director vacancy is BDPA New Jersey past president Coram Rimes.

Coram has over 34 years of corporate work experience with various roles in marketing & sales, technology, auditing, physical security and information technology for the past 20 years. During his career, he served with increased responsibility from supervisory level, middle management and corporate officer. For the past decade he has been a director. His past employers have been major corporations including, AT&T, Verizon, Bank of New York, and Federal Reserve Bank of New York, TIAA-CREF and Prudential.

Coram has a remarkable history with BDPA. His BDPA involvement includes:

• Lifetime member of BDPA since 1995
• National Board Of Directors Member 2003, 2008-2010
• New Jersey Chapter President 2003-2004, 2008-2010
• New Jersey Chapter HSCC Coordinator 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011
• Epsilon Award Recipient for Career Achievement in 2007

Coram is one of a handful of BDPAers in history to be elected to public office. He was elected to serve on the Orange (NJ) City Council in 2000-2008.

Coram is also a business owner. He has operated a tax preparation business since 1985.

When asked to share his thoughts on BDPA and his desire to become the first Northeast Regional Director, Coram wrote:

---

My vision for BDPA is to restore its’ greatness and ensure that the organization is financial sound with proper oversight for the future. Increase membership and ensure that BDPA focus on its members. Encourage the organization and members to be drivers of technology by their increased educational backgrounds and heighten work roles. Let's breakdown the barriers to success so that BDPA can achieve the highest goals while setting the standard for others to follow.

I ask for your vote to serve in a leadership capacity as Northeast Regional Director on the National Board to allow me an opportunity to make positive impact on BDPA.

---

I invite our blog readers to share their thoughts on Coram Rimes and his BDPA legacy. What say u?

Member on the Move: Coram Rimes (BDPA New Jersey)

BDPA New Jersey chapter past president Coram Rimes serves as commissioner for the Orange (NJ) Housing Authority. He was recently recognized by the National League of Cities (NLC) for reaching the Platinum level in its Certificate of Achievement in Leadership program. This is a certification level reached by only a few NLC members since its inception in 1999.

NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. As part of the NLC mission to create stronger communities, the Leadership Training Institute provides local officials, like Coram, with the professional development opportunities to assist then in promoting positive change and innovation within their communities. At the same time, seminars are designed to explore the nature and practice of local governmental leadership.

Each training seminar addresses one or more of the core areas of municipal leadership, including personal leadership growth and development, effective governance, effective communications, skills in developing and promoting partnerships and managing change.


BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is very proud of Coram Rimes for his work with BDPA and his work as a public official in the city of Orange! He is truly a BDPA member (and BETF donor) on the move!

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!

Election Results: BDPA New Jersey (2010-2011)

BDPA New Jersey entered 2010 as the 8th largest chapter in the nation. The chapter, founded September 1980, has been recognized with a number of national awards over the years including: National High School Computer Competition (HSCC) Championships (1994-3rd place, 2005-3rd place) and HSCC T-Shirt Competition (2003-1st place 2004-2nd place, 2005-1st place, 2009-1st place).

The three officers elected to take BDPA New Jersey to the next level in 2010-2011 are:

• President - Coram Rimes (Prudential Insurance) - shown in photo
• President-Elect - Goldie Bonney (JPMorgan Chase)
• Vice President of Finance - Ricardo Fullerton (Lightspeed Research)

BETF is excited by these new officers as they have each displayed powerful commitment and leadership within BDPA. It helps that they are each BETF donors as well!

I encourage all BDPA New Jersey chapter stakeholders and supporters to take a moment to use the COMMENT option below. Share some BDPA-love and encouragement with Coram, Goldie and Ricardo!

Message from New Jersey Chapter President

BDPA New Jersey is the 11th largest chapter in the nation. The chapter has a strong leadership team that is focused on the chapter's vision and mission. I always find it a pleasure to interact with any member of this chapter. I encourage you to take a moment to digest this September 2009 message from BDPA New Jersey chapter president Coram Rimes:

---

Greetings BDPA New Jersey Chapter members!! I can’t believe that it is September and the 2009 National BDPA Conference has already passed. We were all looking forward to this important event and were well represented with thirty chapter members in attendance in Raleigh, North Carolina from August 5th through August 8th.

Our high school students have been in preparation for months under the leadership of our HSCC coordinator Michelle Springs, and they were poised to meet the challenge of the fierce competition.

We were also very pleased that Beverly Place, who was one of our featured ‘Members on the Move’ in our first newsletter earlier this year, presented again this year. Her workshop titled ‘Going Lean in Healthcare’ was well received.

Our chapter delegates were busy as well during the conference voting on the by-laws changes and new leaders for the National Board of Directors for the positions of President-Elect and VP-Finance.



Highlights from the National Conference:

• Incoming President Elect - Monique Berry (Philadelphia)
• Incoming VP, Finance - Charles Moore (Charlotte)
• HSCC Champions - Southern Minnesota
• Navy awarded $180,000 scholarship to BDPA Greater Columbia student member to fund her college education at Duke University
• 2010 Conference is in Philadelphia and the early bird conference rate is
  $200 until 10/31/09.

BDPA New Jersey Chapter continues to be committed to providing the best possible programs for our members. An essential component to ensure that this happens on a consistent basis is you. There are various opportunities available for you to apply your project management, organizational, leadership, technical, management or communication skills. We even a have few positions on the Board where you can participate and work closely with the particular business areas that support the chapter.

If you only have four hours a week to contribute, no problem! We have the perfect opportunity for you! Please contact Goldie Bonney, our VP of Membership Management, at membershipmgmt@bdpanewjersey.org if you are interested in taking your participation to the next level.

There is so much excitement as the BDPA New Jersey Chapter continues to provide quality monthly program meetings. Our Program Meetings are geared to help you sharpen your technical leadership and personal development skills. Consider presenting your topic at a program meeting, the rewards can be priceless. To inquire about presenting at an upcoming program meeting contact our VP of Member Services, Nekeisha Rouse, at memberservices@bdpanewjersey.org.

We are preparing for several upcoming events, such as our 6th Annual Families In Technology Day on September 12th, CIO Symposium on October 5th, and our Awards & Recognition Banquet on November 13th.

This is your BDPA and the NJ Chapter can achieve and aspire to great heights with your active involvement. Your ideas, support and creative minds are needed to help sustain our chapter’s growth. Take the first step on the journey to elevate the mission of BDPA NJ Chapter and be the supportive link to make a difference.

Feel free to contact me at president@bdpanewjersey.org to share a comment or your ideas. I look forward to hearing from you and more importantly working with you to make this the best chapter we possibly can!

Coram J. Rimes, President
BDPA New Jersey Chapter

---

You can learn more about BDPA New Jersey chapter from their current newsletter or their online groupsite. In the meantime, I invite you to POST A COMMENT to Coram to share your thoughts on his message!

Smart Card Technology (New Jersey)

BDPA New Jersey is the 12th largest chapter in the nation. One reason for their success is a consistent willingness to share the talents of their membership with the national organization. For example, one BDPA New Jersey Chapter leader, Coram Rimes, will be making a presentation at this year's National BDPA Conference in Atlanta, GA on the topic of Smart Card Technology. Coram is the National Building Security Director for Prudential. He agreed to give a sneak peek of what he will be presenting to his chapter colleagues this month.

A smart card is defined as any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits which can process information. These tiny devices can receive input which is then processed and delivered as output.

During the presentation Coram will discuss the following topic points:

1. How to determine the potential for use of smart card technology for your business needs
2. Cryptography - what is it?
3. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
4. Key and Certificate life cycles
5. Potential solutions to solve company related issues
6. Implementation strategies for smart card technology

Here are the logistics for the meeting:

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2008
Time: 6:00 pm

Location: Prudential
213 Washington St; Newark, NJ 07102

Refreshments will be served! All are welcome so feel free to bring a friend. Please RSVP to Goldie Bonney by email (membershipmgmt@bdpanewjersey.org) in order to setup free parking for this meeting.

Coram Rimes (Prudential) * BDPA Epsilon Award for Community Service

Coram Rimes recently won the BDPA Epsilon Award for Community Service.

Coram gives of himself to help others in many ways. For example, he assisted two high school students gain full scholarships to the New Jersey Institute of Technology. As BDPA New Jersey chapter education department director, he provided seminars to students and their parents on college admissions and the financial aid process. Coram currently serves as a member of the Orange (NJ) City Council ... a position the citizens of Orange have trusted him with since 2000.

Coram earned a B.A. from Fordham University, Master Degree in Information System from Polytechnic University and a Master in Public Administration from Rutgers University. He is currently enrolled at New Jersey Institute of Technology working on a Masters in Business Administration.

Coram has over 30 years of professional experience managing data center environments, information technology audits, and corporate physical security areas. He led major projects dealing wih a wide range of IT issues, such as Smart Card Technology, at Prudential Financial. He constantly implements cross-training techniques while automating processes and workflows that lead to improved production processes for his area. Currently, Coram manages the Corporate ID Card Administration area for Prudential Insurance. As such, he is responsible for all physical access to all Prudential Insurance buildings across the nation.

I consider Coram a friend and colleague. He truly deserved this award. Do any of you have any 'Coram-stories' that can be shared with us?