Where Are They Now? BDPA Chicago Chapter Presidents

BDPA Chicago became the 14th chapter in the nation when it began on March 15, 1986. The chapter had eight founding members (Marvin Walker, President; Hazel Beason, Vice President; Anthony Pittman, Treasurer; Michelle Walker, Recording Secretary; Wallace Neal, Education Chairperson; Roy Peeples, Public Relations Chairperson; Greg Walker, Finance Chairperson; and Fidelis Umeh, Member)

The chapter has a potent legacy in BDPA history that includes 'BDPA Chapter of the Year' honors in 1991-1993, 2000 and 2005. I used BDPA Chicago chapter as my role model when I served as BDPA Cincinnati chapter president in 1999-2001. It amazes me that BDPA Chicago maintained its spot as the chapter with the largest membership for over a decade. The ability of this chapter to recruit and retain members over the years is simply remarkable.

The chapter hosted national BDPA technology conferences in 1988 ('Growth and Success by Design')and 2001 ('Empowering the Nation Through Information').

BDPA Chicago students won national high school computer competition (HSCC) two times (1994 and 2006). The students from these three championship years are: Joseph Huggins (2006), Nickesha King (1994), Demmie Quinones (1994), Lee Reed (2006), Andreaus Robinson (2006), Joey Rojas (2004), Maurice Shelton (2006) and Walter Webster (2004).

I hope that these HSCC alumni are still connected to BDPA. We want HSCC testimonials from each of these young people if they can be located.

Five of the past BDPA Chicago chapter presidents (Ollie Morgan, Milt Haynes, Ricky Penick, Reggie Gardner and Yvette Graham) also served as members of the National BDPA Executive Committee. It would be great if we could hear from each of the past BDPA Chicago chapter presidents:

• Marvin Walker (1986-1988)
  
• Ollie Morgan (1989-1993)
  
• Sheila McCaskill (1994-1995)
  
• Jack Edwards (1996-1997)
  
• Milt Haynes (1998-1999)
  
• Ricky Penick (2000-2003)
  
• Reggie Gardner (2004-2005)
  
• Yvette Graham (2006-2007)
  
• Rhonda Boyd (2008-2009)
• Pamela Sexton (2010-2013)

Where are they now?

Book Shelf of BDPA Authors

This will be a recurring post sharing information on BDPA members that have authored books. BDPA members come from a diverse background. As such, we should not be surprised to see our members writing fiction and non-fiction books on a wide variety of topics.

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1. Choose to Lead (Paperback) - by Deborah Chima (BDPA Chicago), Business Growth Publications, May 2006, 168 pages.
   
   Are you doing all you can to become a leader? This book that will show you the path to leadership and how to make a conscious choice to lead rather than falling into a leadership role by chance. This book is for women who want to learn to lead in powerful and effective ways. Choose to Lead addresses the main issues that challenge women such as constant pressure to achieve a manageable work/life balance. You learn how to determine "what matters most" in the ongoing quest for managing a career and personal life.
   
   Deborah Chambers Chima, president and CEO of Chambers Consulting Group (CCG) is passionate about helping leaders unleash their leadership potential. She is a longtime member of our BDPA Chicago chapter. Among the high profile clients signing on to her high-energy organizational consulting programs are Navistar International, Ortho- Biotech (J&J), Shell Oil, Alltel Wireless, Pro-Line International, Sears Holding Company, CSL Behring, Lowes and McDonald’s Corporation.
2. Due North (Hardback) - by Jylla Foster (BDPA Chicago), Crystal Stairs, November 2002, 180 pages.
   
   Jylla Moore Foster shares her leadership journey in Due North! through stories about her life experiences as a corporate executive, entrepreneur, community activist and mother. The roadmap she offers those who join her on this journey includes mile markers of Coachable Moments, masterfully intertwined with elements of her professional training as an executive coach. She provides a Coach Approach for you to develop greater self-awareness, achieve professional breakthroughs and reach personal goals.
   
   Jylla Foster is a former BDPA Chicago chapter member. She is founder, president and CEO of Crystal Stairs. She is also a nationally renowned business executive, whose corporate, entrepreneurial, and coaching experiences, as well as her expertise in marketing, sales, channels, operations and technology across multiple industries and various customer sizes, have propelled her to the forefront of her field.
3. Corporate Leadership Selection: Impact on American Business, Employees, and Society (Paperback) - by Dr. Reginald Gardner (BDPA Chicago), AuthorHouse, January 2009, 152 pages.
   
   We are watching unethical and immoral corporate leadership behavior in the current economic crisis in companies like AIG. This book strikes a nerve in those who have the moral courage to blow the whistle on their observed corporate wrongdoing; and open the hearts of those who will encounter questionable leadership activity in the future. This book is geared toward existing corporate leaders; newly selected corporate leaders; those who aspire to become corporate leaders; and students who study and research corporate leader selection. The U.S. remains the greatest country in the world. It is fueled by successful American corporations. However, like any other entity or process, there is always room for improvement.
   
   Dr. Gardner is a long-time BDPA leader. He served as president of our Chicago chapter, national vice-president, and director of BDPA Education & Technology Foundation. Gardner obtained his Ph.D. after a long career in corporate America. He currently serves as CIO for a family-owned business in the Chicago area.
4. Read Between the Lines: Principles of Communicating and Facilitating (Paperback) - by Andree Justin (BDPA Los Angeles), Unlock Publishing House, November 2010.
   
   It is not just the spoken words that complete the communication; it is your entire being that is presented to the receiver of your words, expression and emotions that complete the process. Successful meetings occur when you know how to plan an agenda, understand the communication process and possess skills to keep you on the path to achieving your goals. Use this book as a handy guide to give yourself a tune-up when preparing for meetings, small or large. Use it as a refresher course in years to come and you will find that facilitating successful meetings is one of your better skills, and a skill that allows you to be successful in many other endeavors.
   
   Andree Justin is past president of BDPA Los Angeles chapter and a certified project manager with extensive experience in software development projects in a variety of industries. It is wonderful that she has taken her experiences and placed them into a book for the rest of us!
5. New Science of Success: How to Outsource Proof Your Job and Prosper in a Web 2.0 Economy (Paperback) - by Frank Shines (BDPA Greater Tampa Bay), Skill of Success Publishing, April 2007, 155 pages.
   
   We stand at the brink of a new era of wealth creation in which India, China and other emerging countries are positioned to outpace the economic growth of the U.S. By mid-century China will become the largest economy in the world. For the USA, this brings with it the growing fear of American jobs being outsourced en masse to low-cost labor markets. This book outlines what you can do to survive -- and thrive -- in the new DIY Web 2.0 economy.
   
   Frank Shines is president of our Tampa Bay chapter. Currently, Frank serves as the Director of Business Development at Industriaplex, a next generation global sourcing and consulting firm, where he focuses on the intersection of business, technology and organizational change. He holds a BS in Management from the US Air Force Academy and MBA in Marketing Statistics from National University of Sacramento.

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Please let us know if there are other current or former BDPA members who have published a book. We would love to add them to this recurring blog post.

Do you have any books that you recommend for BDPA members? What are you reading now?

Take Five: Dr. Reggie Gardner (Chicago)

Originally Posted: 1/7/2010

Dr. Reggie Gardner joined BDPA Chicago chapter in 1997. His volunteer efforts in the early years focused on corporate relations. He was active with the BDPA Chicago chapter Corporate Advisory Council (CAC), eventually serving as its co-chair in 2000. Reggie was a member of the Board of Directors for BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) in 1999-2000. He served as the conference director for the 2001 National BDPA Conference. He was elected to the presidency of the BDPA Chicago chapter in 2004-2005. He concluded his BDPA leadership as National BDPA VP-Member Services in 2006. Reggie currently is an executive with the D&C Charter Bus Company.

We asked Reggie to 'Take Five' with us:

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1. How did you get involved in working with BDPA? My initial introduction to BDPA was through Mr. Joe Smialowski and Mr. Carver Johnson in the 1995-1996 timeframe. I served as an IT Manager at Sears under their leadership, and later received the opportunity to represent Sears as a BDPA Corporate "Champion."
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of working with BDPA? Unquestionably, the most rewarding aspect of working with BDPA was meeting so many highly qualified and talented professionals throughout the country who aligned with the mission, goals, and objectives of the organization.
3. Tell us about a defining moment in your life? To date, a defining moment in my professional life is completing my doctoral degree and writing my first book on organizational leadership. I am encouraged (and impressed) that my book has received significantly more fanfare in Europe and India than here in the United States.
4. Who is your hero and why? My parents are my heroes and role models. They have always set a positive example and provided guidance, feedback, and support in all of my life's endeavors.
5. Any advice for people considering donation to BETF? BETF is a non-profit organization with sound integrity and solid leadership committed to providing financial tuition assistance to underprivileged students who aspire to academic degrees and professional careers in the Information Technology industry. I support the initiatives of BETF, and I encourage those who envision an increase in the amount of qualified technology professionals from underserved communities to support this foundation as well.

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I encourage you to take a moment to share some BDPA-Love with Dr. Reggie in the Comments section below!

Former BETF Director Reggie Gardner Shares Insights on Corporate Leadership Selection

Dr. Reginald Gardner has a strong role in the legacy of BDPA. Over the years he served as BDPA Chicago chapter president, National BDPA vice president (member services) and BDPA Foundation director. I am proud to have served with him on the National BDPA Board of Directors for many years.

Reggie published a book earler this year entitled, Corporate Leadership Selection: Impact on American Business, Employees, and Society.

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This book is an unbiased account of events in numerous business scenarios that I have either experienced, observed, or researched. The objective is not to paint a negative picture of corporate selection processes or behavior, but to reflect upon the leadership selection decisions and the consequences of those decisions - both positive and negative. This book also summarizes the steps of conducting a qualitative research study, and provides a glimpse of the impact to American business and American society as a result of corporate leadership selection.The intent of the excerpts in this book on leadership selection is to touch the conscious of those who willing contributed to unethical/immoral corporate leadership behavior; strike a nerve in those who have the moral courage to blow the whistle on their observed corporate wrongdoing; and open the hearts of those who will encounter questionable leadership activity in the future to respond and curtail such events. This book is geared toward existing corporate leaders; newly selected corporate leaders; those who aspire to become corporate leaders; and students who study and research corporate leader selection. The U.S. remains the greatest country in the world. It is fueled by successful American corporations. However, like any other entity or process, there is always room for improvement.

Reggis currently serves Chief Information Officer for a privately-owned luxury motor coach company. I hope that the BDPA Family reaches out to support his foray into the book world!