Where Are They Now: 1976 BDPA Officers

BDPA first year of operation was in 1976. That year was devoted to stabilizing the young organization. Highlights of the year included presentations on such topics as Computer Security, Use of Data Processing in the Securities Field, Data Processing from a Users' View, Entry Level Data Processing, and the Automated Office of the Future.

The year ended with 35 members.

The following officers were elected or appointed in June 1976:

• President - Earl Pace Jr.
• Vice President - Ralph Gordon
• Secretary - Charles Jones Jr. (deceased)
• Treasurer - Mary Ann Lowery
• Program Committee - Craig Bethea, Roy Barnes (deceased), Douglas Funderburg
• Membership Committee - James Moten (deceased), Howard James and Edward Royster

Of course, we are blessed to see Earl Pace regularly at BDPA board meetings and the annual conference. Mary Ann Lowery served as national BDPA treasurer well into the 1990s. Howard James served as BDPA Philadelphia chapter president in the 1990s. Howard is currently an entrepreneur building a business in the growing tea industry.

However, we don't see the other officers from 1976 as often. Where are they now?

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• Where Are They Now? BDPA Cleveland Chapter Presidents
• Where Are They Now? BDPA Los Angeles Chapter Presidents
• BDPA Founder Earl Pace Asks, 'Is BDPA a Promise Unfulfilled?'
• The 'Butterfly Effect' and BDPA Co-Founder David Wimberly

Where Are They Now: 1977 BDPA Philadelphia Officers

The greatest obstacle facing BDPA in its second year of operation was lack of full members. Therefore, the focus for the year was to increase membership by placing a greater emphasis on technical data processing presentations.

Presentations and lectures that year were given on such topics as: Structured Programming, Advanced COBOL, On-Line Systems and Equal Opportunities in Data Processing.

The second year ended with a new commitment to the organization, an impressive addition of new members, and a new slate of new officers:

• President - Ralph Gordon Jr.
• Vice President - Roy Barnes
• Secretary - Brenda Cummings
• Treasurer - Mary Ann Lowery
• Program Committee - Earl Pace, Geraldine Walcott, Edward Washington
• Membership Committee - William Chestnut, Leroy Howell, David Benson

It is important to realize that BDPA was strictly a Philadelphia experience during these first few years. It wasn't until 1979 that the second BDPA chapter was created in Washington DC. I think that Roy Barnes is still honored by the BDPA Philadelphia chapter. As I understand it they name their youth education program and scholarship after Mr. Barnes.

Can you share any insights or thoughts you might have on these 1977 BDPA officers? Anyone know where they are now?