Nominations Open for 2014 BDPA Individual Epsilon Awards

The National BDPA Individual Epsilon Awards recognize members who have demonstrated exceptional results in one of the five (5) categories below. Nominations are accepted and evaluated by a team of National BDPA members in accordance with the descriptions below. In 2014, we will award one (1) recipient per category.

Nominations are due: May 9, 2014 [nomination form]
Award recipients will be announced: June 6, 2014

Nominations packages must include:

• Career resume including education, positions held, awards and recognition and professional association affiliations
• A completed Nomination form. Incomplete submissions will result in a candidate being disqualified from consideration.
• A professional portrait image of the candidate, appropriate for publication with the award citation.

The Award categories and descriptions are:

• Career Achievement - Experienced professionals who have achieved significant career accomplishments and/or made contributions throughout their career to their company or industry
• Community Service - Significant demonstration, by meaningful results, strong partnership and collaboration with entities in the communities they reside
• Most Promising Technologist - Individuals who have been recognized as future technology leaders based on their drive, commitment and results thus far in their career
• Outstanding Technical Contribution - Individuals who have pioneered new or leveraged existing technology to solve a critical business or technical problem
• Professional Achievement - Individuals who have reached or realized a significant milestone in their career, corporate or otherwise, that is noteworthy

Please submit all nominations and direct any questions or inquiries regarding the award or award categories to epsilon-awards@bdpa.org. You will receive a response within seventy-two (72) hours.

BlueCross BlueShield of Michigan Receives Diversity Award from BDPA

BlueCross BlueShield of Michigan (BCBSM) has been honored by National BDPA with a 2013 Epsilon Award for its diversity programs.

"It is an honor for Information Technology to be recognized by the BDPA," said Gary Harvey, vice president, Information Technology. "Receiving this award is another example of IT’s commitment to foster and promote a diverse and inclusive culture. My thanks to those who have volunteered to work on, or with, our Diversity Advisory Council over the last several years. It is their efforts that are truly being recognized."

Past winners of the honor include Health Care Service Corporation, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Merck, Wal-Mart, WellPoint and Wells Fargo.

"We congratulate Information Technology and the Diversity Advisory Council on receiving this award for their efforts to embed diversity and inclusion at the business-unit level," said Amal Berry-Brown, senior director of BCBSM’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. "IT has been an exemplary partner in embracing diversity and in engaging their leaders and employees by implementing a division mentoring program, creating a job shadowing program and recognizing employees’ efforts for their diversity and inclusion activities through their divisional Diversity Branding Strategy."

The award will be presented Aug. 16 at the Dignitaries Reception during the National BDPA Technology Conference in Washington, D.C. The Epsilon Award qualifies BCBSM for further consideration to be named the BDPA Top Company for Blacks in Technology.

Since its inception in 1975, BDPA has been a strong advocate of promoting and advancing the interest and careers of African Americans in the field of Computer Science and Information Technology.

Cross-posted from Blues News (BCBSM Intranet newsletter)

2013 BDPA Individual Epsilon Award Winners

National BDPA annually selects and awards the BDPA Epsilon Award to recognize and celebrate key contributions and accomplishments of its members. Nominations are accepted across five categories and they are evaluated by a team of National BDPA members in accordance with the descriptions below.

• Career Achievement - Highly experienced professionals who have significant career accomplishments and/or contributions throughout their career
• Community Service - Individuals who have demonstrated, by meaningful results, strong partnership and collaboration with entities in the communities they reside
• Most Promising Technologist - Individuals who have been recognized as future technology leaders based on their drive, commitment and results thus far in their careers
• Outstanding Technical Contribution - Individuals who have pioneered new or leveraged existing technology to solve a critical business or technical problem
• Professional Achievement - Individuals who have reached or realized a significant milestone in their career, corporate or otherwise, that is noteworthy

This year, National BDPA is pleased to honor the following 24 individuals with Epsilon Awards:

1. Dr. Reginald Brothers, Department of Defense, Professional Development
2. Dr. Craig Brown, Nexeo Solutions, Community Service
3. Eugene Cook, Wal-Mart, Outstanding Technical Contribution
4. Victoria Cotton, American Airlines, Outstanding Technical Contribution
5. Adrian Crews, Wells Fargo, Community Service
6. Dr. Shaundra B. Daily, Clemson University, Most Promising Technologist
7. Norman Fleming, MillerCoors, Professional Development
8. Karamu Ford, American Airlines, Career Achievement
9. Zack Garbow, Funeral Innovations, Most Promising Technologist
10. Victor Gavin, US Navy, Career Achievement
11. David Hopkins, American Airlines, Career Achievement
12. Maria Hutsell, Wells Fargo, Career Achievement
13. Dr. Tayo Ibikunle, JPMorgan Chase, Career Achievement
14. Kimberly Jackson, American Airlines, Professional Development
15. Cedric Jamison, American Airlines, Community Service
16. Ted Jordan, Funutation Tekademy, Professional Development
17. Dr. Kyla A. McMullen, Clemson University, Professional Development
18. Anthony Reed, Reed CPA PC, Community Service
19. Subrena Robinson, State Farm Insurance
20. Justin Simpson, Wal-Mart, Most Promising Technologist
21. Decarlas Smith, American Airlines, Most Promising Technologist
22. Stacy Stewart, Health Care Service Corporation, Community Service
23. J. Darrel Thomas, HP, Outstanding Technical Contribution
24. Patrice Yapo, American Airlines, Outstanding Technical Contribution

BDPA will recognize several these 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 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.

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.

Epsilon Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution: J. Darrel Thomas (HP)

National BDPA annually selects and awards the BDPA Epsilon Award to recognize and celebrate key contributions and accomplishments of its members. Nominations are accepted across five categories and they are evaluated by a team of National BDPA members in accordance with the descriptions below.

One of the categories is Outstanding Technical Contribution. This honor is reserved for individuals who have pioneered new or leveraged existing technology to solve a critical business or technical problem.

BDPA is pleased to announce that J. Daniel Thomas has won the 2013 Epsilon Award for Career Contribution. Darrel Thomas is an HP Fellow and member of the Enterprise Services (ES) Chief Technology Office, focusing on Strategic Pursuits and Cloud Computing Services Enablement. Thomas’ primary focus is the dual responsibility of collaborating with Enterprise Services portfolio, sales, solutioning, and account teams on applying service offerings to both sales/solutioning engagements, and in-flight client accounts. His additional responsibility is in the implementation of Cloud Computing services in ES for clients, focusing on HP’s cloud service offerings and the associated technology aspects – including Public, Private, Managed, and other cloud models. Key areas of concern are Cloud APIs (including OpenStack), automation, cloud service management, and cloud-to-traditional federation/orchestration.

Darrel Thomas is worthy of the Outstanding Technical Contribution award because he leveraged existing technology to solve critical business and technical problems for several HP clients. He is one for the few minority employees to achieve the level in Hewlett Packard. With over 300,000 employees globally, HP only has 54 HP Fellows. They are considered pioneers in their fields. HP Fellows and Senior Fellows set the standards for technical excellence and drive the direction of technology in their respective disciplines. They are not only exceptional technologists; they are futurists whose contributions shape both HP and our industry as a whole.

Individuals who seek to become Fellows are nominated by their management team and must be approved by business-unit and corporate review boards.  Also, Fellows must meet a rigorous set of criteria in the following three areas:

1. Continuity and impact of technical contributions
2. Breadth and depth of knowledge
3. Leadership

As a HP Fellow Thomas’ primary focus is the dual responsibility of collaborating with Enterprise Services portfolio, sales, solutioning, and account teams on applying service offerings to both sales/solutioning engagements, and in-flight client accounts. His additional responsibility is in the implementation of Cloud Computing services in ES for clients, focusing on HP’s cloud service offerings and the associated technology aspects – including Public, Private, Managed, and other cloud models.

Since beginning his career at Electronic Data Systems (EDS), Thomas has held several roles with various responsibilities both before and after the company was purchased by HP. His more recent job experiences within the company have included chief technologist, consultant systems engineer and chief architect.

Previously, Thomas worked as a chief technologist for Persona based out of Colorado. In this position, he was responsible for the Internet, intranet and extranet architecture of the PersonaVault™, Persona’s ASP Identity Management Service. He also negotiated the E-Business ITO contract with EDS.

Thomas currently has several patents both awarded and pending and holds relationships within and outside of company organizations and professional affiliations. He also holds four Guinness World Records for the FIFA World Cup France 1998 website. Darrel Thomas completed his computer science degree at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.

The Epsilon Award nomination for J. Darrel Thomas was submitted by Jambey Clinkscales, chair of the HP Black Employee Leadership Council.

Epsilon Award for Career Achievement: Dr. Tayo Ibikunle (JPMorgan Chase)

National BDPA annually selects and awards the BDPA Epsilon Award to recognize and celebrate key contributions and accomplishments of its members. Nominations are accepted across five categories and they are evaluated by a team of National BDPA members.

One of the categories is Career Achievement. This honor is reserved for highly experienced professionals who have significant career accomplishments or contributions throughout their career.

BDPA is pleased to announce that Dr. Tayo Ibikunle has won the 2013 Epsilon Award for Career Achievement. He is a highly respected technologist with over 18 years of technology based experience with JPMorgan Chase (JPMC). Tayo Ibikunle has also held diverse senior positions, across many key businesses – including Investment Banking, Middle Markets, Retail, Corporate Sector, Credit Card business, Mortgage Banking and most recently in Consumer & Community Banking. As Chief Technology Officer of the Chase Financial Services Customer Center of Excellence, Tayo was responsible for delivering information technology (IT) solutions to enable an integrated customer experience across customer channels and touch-points. He also assumed IT leadership responsibilities for the Middle Market business segment, which managed the firm’s relationships for over 12,000 corporate clients. Among other key roles, Tayo has held positions of Co-Chief IT Architect and Chief Technical Architect.

Prior to joining JPMC, Tayo was Senior Strategic Manager at Sybase Engineering in California. Before taking the role of Senior Strategic Manager, Tayo was a Principal Consultant working with several Wall Street and telecommunication Firms to build large scale, distributed trading and processing engines for their businesses. At Thorn EMI Central Research Laboratories in the United Kingdom, Tayo was a Principal Research Engineer and worked on key pattern recognition and image processing technologies

Dr. Ibikunle has both an MS and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Imperial College, University of London, as well as a BS in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University Of Ife, Nigeria. He is also a member of the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE).

Tayo is a dedicated advocate for diversity within the workplace and serves as a mentor to many. Tayo took on the role of Executive Sponsor of JPMC’s engagement with BDPA – a major career and leadership network for Black IT professionals - in 2006. It is under his leadership that the JPMC BDPA Leadership Forum was established. This forum consists of representatives from various JPMC IT facilities across the United States where we have engaged with a local BDPA chapter. He is also on the Global Steering Committee for BOLD (Black Organization for Leadership Development) and a member of the Firm-wide Technology Diversity Council. Tayo serves as a director of the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation since his appointment in 2008.

The award nomination was submitted by BDPA Northern Delaware chapter president Karen Smith.

BDPA Awards Epsilon Awards to Individuals and Names Top Company for Blacks in Technology

Since its inception in 1975, BDPA has been promoting and advancing the interest and careers of African Americans in the field of Computer Science and Information Technology. BDPA has cultivated and sustained mutually beneficial partnerships with public, private and government entities that employ our members or support our on-going efforts to be a powerful advocate for our stakeholders' interests within the global technology industry.

In 2012, National BDPA recognized a number of companies and individuals who personify excellence, demonstrate a commitment to people and understand that fostering a culture of diversity has bottom line business value.

Dr. Craig Brown (BDPA), Walter Joppy (JnJ), TBD (JnJ), Regan Scrugs (JnJ) and Monique Berry (BDPA)

The Corporate Epsilon and Top Company for Blacks in Technology Awards recognize companies who are role models in terms of tenure/promotions, training, retention, supplier diversity and community outreach. During its 2012 BDPA Technology Conference, National BDPA recognized Johnson & Johnson as the Top Company for Blacks in Technology.

Other finalists for the top company award included: Health Care Service Corporation, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Merck, Walmart, WellPoint and Wells Fargo.

Clark and Thrower

Individual Epsilon awards are bestowed upon individuals nominated in one of the following categories: Most Promising Technologist, Professional Achievement, Career Achievement, or Community Service.

The following individuals were recognized during the 2012 BDPA Technology Conference: Most Promising Technologist, Rashsaan Alston; Career Achievement, Julius Clark and Gwendolyn Davis; Professional Achievement, Susan Barker and Baron Thrower; and Community Service, William Holdipp, Jr.

The 2013 Epsilon Awards program cycle begins soon. Listed below are the key dates.

• Applications Available - January 7, 2013
• Nomination deadline - May 3, 2013
• Epsilon Awards announced - June 7, 2013
• Top Company For Blacks In Technology awarded - August 17, 2013

If you have any questions regarding the 2013 Epsilon Award program or would like an application package, please feel free to contact Jesse Mathews at epsilon-awards@bdpa.org.