National BDPA Honors 2017 PACESetter Award Winners

National BDPA will honor three of America’s top and talented individuals from international banking and financial services corporation Wells Fargo with PACESetter Awards at their 39th Annual National Technology Conference at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 26-29th. The award will be presented for distinction in Career Achievement, Community Service and Technology Excellence. Each year, National BDPA solicits nominations from the information technology industry for individuals who personify and “set the pace” for results achieved, impact, and recognition in the aforementioned categories.

Theresa Wilson

Theresa Wilson, Chief Technology Operating Officer at Wells Fargo, received top recognition in Career Achievement as an experienced professional who achieved significant professional accomplishments and made contributions throughout her career.  

Gary Simms

Gary Simms, Strategy Consultant at Wells Fargo, received the Community Service award for significant demonstration by meaningful results, strong partnership, and collaboration with entities in the community in which he resides.

Tiffany Jenkins, Business Initiatives Consultant at Wells Fargo, received the Technology Excellence award for pioneering new or leveraging existing technology to solve critical industry, business or technical problem.

Tiffany Jenkins

Individual PACESetter award winners received a commemorative plaque, a complimentary one-year BDPA membership, and featured recognition among their peers as a BDPA Individual PACESetter Award winner on the bdpa.org website.

For more details on the BDPA corporate sponsorship program or the National Technology Conference, contact the corporate sales support team at (301) 584-3135 ext. 108 or corpsales@bdpa.org. Additionally, please visit www.bdpa.org

Wells Fargo Continues Its BDPA Bronze Level Sponsorship

Nationally recognized as one of America's most reputable investment firms with a heritage of superior client service and unparalleled capabilities, Wells Fargo recently joined a list of top corporate bronze level sponsors of BDPA’s 39th Annual National Technology Conference and Career Fair to be held July 26-29, 2017 at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“We are honored to have one of the largest U.S. financial services companies in the world partnering with BDPA to advance our mission. We look forward to working with Wells Fargo in the coming months," said Mike Williams, National BDPA President.

Wells Fargo believes that its diversity makes them stronger and helps to better understand the unique needs of their clients. Wells Fargo ranks the third-largest full-service provider of retail brokerage services in the U.S. and the third-largest provider of managed accounts.

BDPA is the largest African American Information Technology association in the U.S., and the largest national non-profit organization continually involved in training students underrepresented in STEM education across the country. For almost 40 years, BDPA has fulfilled its mission by bridging the digital divide and providing career growth opportunities for its members.

For more details about the BDPA corporate sponsorship program, contact the corporate sales support team at (301) 584-3135 ext.108 or corpsales@bdpa.org. Additionally, please visit www.bdpa.org.

Wells Fargo Renews BDPA Bronze Sponsorship

Wells Fargo, nationally recognized as one of America’s most reputable investment firms with a heritage of superior client service and unparalleled capabilities, recently joined a list of top corporate Bronze sponsors at the 36th annual National BDPA Technology Conference being held on August 5-9 in Indianapolis. This is the sixth year, since 2008, that Wells Fargo has sponsored BDPA programs and services.

Wells Fargo is a diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores and more than 12,000 ATMs and the Internet across North America and internationally. One in three households in America does business with Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo has $1.4 trillion in assets and more than 275,000 team members in more than 35 countries across 80+ businesses.

Wells Fargo ranked fourth in assets and first in market value of our stock among its U.S. peers. In 2013, Euromoney named Wells Fargo Bank of the Year and Best Bank in the U.S., the first time such recognition was given to a bank headquartered in America.

Dr. Craig Brown

"On behalf of the National Board of Directors and the National Executive Committee, it is my honor and privilege to welcome Wells Fargo as a Bronze-Level Sponsor. We could not provide the member services that our professional and student members receive without the support of partners like Wells Fargo. This sponsorship allows BDPA to continue towards our mission of impacting lives through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We thank Wells Fargo for their support," said Dr. Craig Brown, National BDPA president.

BDPA is the premier organization for African American professionals in the information technology industry. For almost 40 years, BDPA has fulfilled its mission by bridging the digital divide and providing career growth opportunities for its members. Today, BDPA is the largest African American information technology association in the U.S., and the largest national non-profit organization continually involved in STEM-based training for underrepresented students across the country.

To become a sponsor like Wells Fargo or to learn more about BDPA sponsorship opportunities, please contact BDPA Corporate Sales Team by email (corpsales@bdpa.org) or phone (301.584-3135 x108).

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• WellPoint Joins BDPA as Silver Level Sponsor

Wells Fargo Foundation

The Wells Fargo Foundation seems to have a much more regional focus in the areas they have traditionally served. Wells Fargo is proud to support organizations working to strengthen their communities. Through the efforts of their enthusiastic team member-volunteers and their contributions, they share their success within our communities by giving back to non-profits and educational institutions that address vital community needs and issues.

Where They Give - They direct their giving to areas that they believe are important to the future of our nation's vitality and success: community development, education, and human services.

Does your BDPA chapter have an account at Wells Fargo? Does your chapter have BDPA members that work for Wells Fargo? If so, then you should consider working with BETF to submit a grant proposal for your Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship program. BETF operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Let me know if your chapter are interested in pursuing this funding opportunity.

Wells Fargo Becomes a BDPA Bronze Sponsor

Wells Fargo, one of America’s largest financial services institutions is a Bronze Sponsor National BDPA at this year’s 35th Annual BDPA Technology Conference and Career Fair, August 14-17, 2013, at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. Wells Fargo earned a 2013 Corporate Epsilon Award from BDPA and is one of 11 finalists to be considered for the title of ‘Best Company for Blacks in Technology’. The winner of that penultimate award will be announced at the Awards Gala on August 17.

Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo ranks No. 25 on Fortune’s list of the largest companies in the United States. Wells Fargo has over 270,000 team members in 9,000 branches spread over 35 countries.

"The career fair would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors like Wells Fargo," said Monique Berry, National BDPA president.

Monique Berry and Wayne Hicks

Wells Fargo is respected worldwide as a diversified financial service company that offers both a community service appeal, as well as a global presence with $1.4 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo offers banking, consumer and commercial finance, insurance, investments, mortgage and ATM and Internet services.

“Wells Fargo has been an important part of the BDPA family for a number of years,” said Wayne Hicks, Director, BDPA Corporate Sales Director. “Wells Fargo employees have served as local chapter presidents and the company has been recognized on both an individual and corporate level with our Epsilon Award. This financial institutional has demonstrated by their powerful example that they are serious about diversity recruitment and retention of its information technology employees. I am very proud to see Wells Fargo on board again in 2013 as a BDPA bronze level sponsor," he added.

BDPA is recognized nationally as a global member-focused technology organization with over 45 active chapters in the United States. BDPA continues to stand as a leader in delivering 21st century technological programs, college scholarships, mentoring, support and services for youth and adult IT professionals.

For more information, contact Wayne Hicks, corpsales@bdpa.org, (301) 584-3135.

BDPA Corporate Epsilon Award Winners: Top 11 Companies for Blacks In Technology

BDPA will recognize several of America’s corporate giants and accomplished individuals at this year’s 35th Annual BDPA Technology Conference and Career Fair, August 14-17, 2013, at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington DC. BDPA created the Epsilon Award to recognize and celebrate key contributions and accomplishments of its members and supporters.

National BDPA Corporate Epsilon Awards recognizing corporate achievement are awarded to corporations who have demonstrated a commitment to people and an understanding that fostering a culture of diversity has a bottom line business case value. Each year, National BDPA surveys Fortune 1000 companies to make an assessment of their internal workplace and career development climate using the following rating categories:

• Tenure, Promotions and Terminations
• Leadership Development and Advancement programs
• Supplier Diversity programs
• Community Outreach programs

This year, National BDPA is pleased and honored to recognize eleven (11) corporations with the Corporate Epsilon Award. These corporations are finalists for 'The Top Company For Blacks in Technology' award that will be announced on Saturday, August 17th during the Awards Gala:

1. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
2. Health Care Service Corporation
3. HP
4. Intel
5. Johnson & Johnson (2012 Winner!)
6. Merck
7. Monsanto
8. State Farm Insurance
9. Wal-Mart
10. WellPoint
11. Wells Fargo

BDPA is recognized nationally as a global member-focused technology organization with over 45 active chapters in the United States. BDPA continues to stand as a leader in delivering 21st century technological programs, college scholarships, mentoring, support and services for youth and adult information technology professionals. Contact Wayne Hicks, Director, BDPA Corporate Sales Department by phone (301.584-3135) or email (corpsales@bdpa.org) if you need more information on BDPA sponsorship program.

Grant Proposal: Wells Fargo Foundation (BDPA Charlotte)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) partnered with BDPA Charlotte chapter on a grant proposal submitted earlier this week to the Wells Fargo community affairs folks. We are hopeful that Wells Fargo will support the chapter's Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program. Our cause is strengthened by the fact that BDPA Charlotte chapter president Julius Clark works for Wells Fargo Bank!

We should have an answer within the next 90 days.

Payroll Pledges: Wells Fargo Community Support and United Way Campaign

BDPA Education and Technology (BETF) is pleased to report that our organization has been designated to receive charitable contributions through the Wells Fargo 2010 Community Support and United Campaign.

Pledges were made by Reva Chamblis (Twin Cities) and Erica Frazier (Charlotte) in support of BDPA programs hosted by their local BDPA chapter.

Our hope is that other members of the Wells Fargo team will consider making payroll pledge to BETF in the future. For now, we hope you will join us in thanking Reva and Erica for their generous support!

Wells Fargo Foundation

The Wells Fargo Foundation provides Community Needs Grants to support organizations working to improve communities with low- to moderate-income. In particular, the Foundation strives to improve education, community development, and environmental health, ensure access to health and human services, and to bolster civic engagement.

Award amounts may vary.

Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3), have broad community support, and can demonstrate fiscal and administrative stability.

Grant Declination: Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation (BDPA Charlotte)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Charlotte were disappointed to learn that our online grant proposal seeking $5,000 in support for the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program has been declined by the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation.

The declination email read as follows:

---

Mr. Wayne Hicks, Executive Director
BDPA Education and Technology Foundation
4423 Lehigh Road, #277
College Park, MD 20740-3127

Dear Mr. Hicks:

Thank you for your request seeking support from Wells Fargo for BDPA Education and Technology Foundation in support of Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES).

As you can imagine, we receive many requests for financial support - far more than we can grant. Although we recognize the importance of your efforts, we are not able to make a contribution at this time.

Our mission at Wells Fargo is to build strong and vibrant communities, improve the quality of life, and make a positive difference. Your organization is vital in accomplishing these goals and many others.

We appreciate your giving us the opportunity to consider your request and wish you great success with your community efforts.

Jay Everette
Community Affairs Manager (Greater Charlotte)
301 South College Street
Charlotte, NC 28288
(704) 383-8287

---

We have a strong base of BDPA members employed at Wells Fargo. It is likely that we will seek out funding from them again in the future.

Sharon Murphy * Epsilon Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution

Sharon Murphy (Wells Fargo Bank) is one of the winners of the 2010 Epsilon Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution presented by National BDPA and WorkplaceDiversity.com.

BDPA Epsilon Awards recognize individual achievement by technologists who are nominated by BDPA chapters or corporate sponsors.

Nominees for the Epsilon Outstanding Technical Contribution Award are presented to individuals who perform technological functions and have designed, managed, developed, or assisted in the development of a product, service, system, or intellectual property that is a substantial achievement. The nominee’s work is the prime consideration, regardless of title or degrees earned.

Sharon Murphy champions innovation both as an active member of the Wells Fargo Technology and Operations Group’s Innovation Council and in her daily work as director of Team Member Enablement Technology. Sharon’s team provides technology solutions that allow Wells Fargo’s 281,000 team members to collaborate and communicate effectively and efficiently across multiple time zones, states and countries. Among Sharon’s accomplishments: she was awarded a patent in 2008 as co-inventor of a new technology and methodology for managing call reports via wireless devices. Sharon recognizes the importance of providing team members with the most advanced technology resources to enable them to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Sharon manages an organization of over 250 employees and an annual budget of $53 million.

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) joins all of BDPA-Nation in congratulating Sharon Murphy on her 2010 Epsilon Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution. I hope that many BDPA members strongly consider careers at the Wells Fargo Bank!

I look forward to networking with Sharon Murphy at the 32nd annual BDPA Technology Conference. How about you?

Cheryl Terry * Epsilon Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution

Cheryl Terry (Wells Fargo Bank) is one of the winners of the 2010 Epsilon Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution presented by National BDPA and WorkplaceDiversity.com.

BDPA Epsilon Awards recognize individual achievement by technologists who are nominated by BDPA chapters or corporate sponsors.

Nominees for the Epsilon Outstanding Technical Contribution Award are presented to individuals who perform technological functions and have designed, managed, developed, or assisted in the development of a product, service, system, or intellectual property that is a substantial achievement. The nominee’s work is the prime consideration, regardless of title or degrees earned.

Cheryl Terry is a systems architect who ensures availability and security of several of Wells Fargo’s most business-critical systems in the mainframe and midrange environments. For the past two years, she has served as Chief Systems Architect for the Mainframe Resiliency Program and achieved many successes around enhancing Wells Fargo’s mainframe environments, helping to ensure that her customers can transact business with the bank when and how they choose. Additional standout accomplishments: Cheryl authored a Living Target Architecture document for Wells Fargo’s mainframe groups and implemented an online wiki that has fostered collaboration across these groups and serves as a fully searchable online reference book complete with cross-links and diagrams.

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) joins all of BDPA-Nation in congratulating Cheryl Terry on her 2010 Epsilon Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution. I hope that many BDPA members strongly consider careers at the Wells Fargo Bank!

I look forward to networking with Cheryl Terry at the 32nd annual BDPA Technology Conference. How about you?

Grant Proposal: Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation (Charlotte)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) partnered with BDPA Charlotte chapter to submit an online grant proposal to Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation. We asked them to provide us with grant funding of $5,000 in support of the chapter's Student IT Education & Scholarship (SITES) program.

Wish us luck!

Payroll Pledge: Wells Fargo

We are very pleased to report that BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) has been designated to receive charitable contributions through the Wells Fargo 2009 Community Support and United Way Campaign.

The donors are John Hoffler (Charlotte) and Shon Thurman (Greater Birmingham). John designated his payroll pledge in support of BDPA Charlotte chapter (75%) and BETF Endowment Fund (25%).

Our hope is that other Wells Fargo employees will make payroll pledges to support BDPA programs and services. Should you have questions, please contact the Campaign Hotline at (888) 518-4438 or email wellsfargo@easymatch.com.

Grant Award: Wells Fargo

UPDATE: Wells Fargo requested a change in the distribution of this donation. The funding now includes support for BDPA Charlotte chapter as well.

[Original posting: Jan 6, 2009]

We are pleased to announce successful completion of $10,000 grant award from Wells Fargo.

Dwight Handon (National BDPA corporate sales department director) was instrumental in securing these funds. This funding from Wells Fargo will support National BDPA, BDPA Bay Area chapter and BDPA Twin Cities chapter.

Our hope is that other corporate foundations will be receptive to our discussions about funding BDPA programs and services in 2009. Please let us know if YOUR company's foundation might be interested in working with us.

In the meantime, I encourage you to use the COMMENTS section below to share some love with the men and women of Wells Fargo!