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Biographies
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Ms. Albritton is the Executive Director of Fast Forward, a community
technology center in Columbia, South Carolina. She has worked in technology field for over 25 years. Ms.
Albritton is the recipient of the Antonia Stone Innovation
Initiative Award from CTCNet, the national community technology
association. She received the ET3 Tec Champion Award for
Outstanding Technology Leadership from the Education Technology
Think Tank and Congressman Major Owens. |
 Andrew
Michael Cohill, Ph.D., is the President and CEO of Design Nine.
He is an information architect with an educational background
in architecture, ergonomics, and computer science. Cohill has
an international reputation for his work advising rural communities
on technology and telecommunications issues. In the United
States, he has worked with rural communities across the country,
with recent work in New Hampshire, Virginia, Illinois, New
Mexico, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Texas. In recent years,
his international work has taken him to British Columbia, Nova
Scotia, Quebec, France, the Guernsey Isles, and Japan. He was
the Director of the world renowned Blacksburg Electronic Village
(BEV) at Virginia Tech from 1993 to 2002. By the late nineties,
Blacksburg had become widely known as the "most wired
community in the world," with more than 87% of the town's
residents using the Internet. Today, virtually all of Blacksburg's
businesses and residents have one or more broadband access
options at home, at work, or at both. Cohill was responsible
for the design and development of electronic village and broadband
services, supervised a research and development group, and
managed an operations group that managed the BEV office and
administrative services. |
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 Janie
Davis is the Executive Director of the South Carolina Commission
for Minority Affairs. The state agency serves as a research
think tank to identify the causes and effects of deprivation
among minorities in the State and to create new solutions that
alleviate deprivation in a culturally appropriate and sensitive
manner. Janie has been the Executive Director since August
1995 and during that time has worked extensively with the Native
American, Hispanic/Latino and African American communities.
Prior to joining Minority Affairs, Janie was employed with
the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission as Director of
Technical Services. Her primary responsibilities included assisting
employers with the development of written affirmative action
plans and implementation of programs to reach the goals to
increase minority and female employment in State government.
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| Sonny
DuBose is presently the Project Coordinator at South Carolina
Energy Office. He has hands on experience at the senior management
level in planning, strategy development, budgeting, implementation
and operational management. Recently, DuBose served as President
of SC USGBC Organizing Chapter and currently holds the position
of President of SC Solar Chapter of ASES. A former Senior Vice
President of Marketing and Sales at a leading horticulture
mail order house, Sonny also has twenty years experience as
a real estate broker, developer, builder & property manager.
His development experience includes procuring & analyzing
market data, concept & plan development, governmental approvals,
horizontal & vertical construction. As Broker-In-Charge,
he ran a full service Real Estate Company, residential sales
(including new homes division), commercial sales, securities,
and property management. Sales, sales management, training
and recruiting for the Procter & Gamble Distributing Company. |
 Paul
“Mac” Horton, Ph.D., is the Associate Dean, Director, and Professor
of the Sandhill Research and Education Center (SREC) and Director,
Clemson Institute for Economic and Community Development (CIECD)
located Columbia, South Carolina. The Sandhill Research and
Education Center (SREC) is one of five off-campus centers in
South Carolina operated by the Clemson University Public Service
Activities. Sandhill is located on 600 acres of land Northeast
of Columbia, South Carolina. The recently established Clemson
Institute for Economic and Community Development is also located
at the Sandhill Center. |
 Dr. Stacey Franklin Jones is the Dean of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and an Associate Professor of Computer Science of Mathematics at Benedict College. Dr. Jones is a graduate of Howard University, Johns Hopkins University and George Washington University. She holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics (HU), two masters of science degrees in Numerical Science and Technology Management (JHU), and a doctor of science in Computer Science (GWU). Dr. Jones has over 20 years of successful management experience acquired in the defense contract industry and higher education, complemented by formal training at Johns Hopkins University, Harvard Graduate School of Education Management Development Program and the Hampton University Executive Leadership Program. Dr. Jones is a Westinghouse Engineering Achievement Award recipient, recognized for the design and development of the beam steering control for electronically agile antenna of the U.S. Air Force AN/APQ-164 (B1-B). Dr. Jones is the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)'s 2004 Outstanding Woman in Technology Golden Torch Award Recipient. She is a Senior Member of IEEE, National Society of Black Engineers 2004 Outstanding Woman in Technology and a 2005-2006 Bush/Hewett Foundation Award Grantee. |
| Dave
Lamie, Ph.D., recently joined the Clemson Institute for Economic
and Community Development at the Sandhill Research and Education
Center in Columbia. Prior to joining Clemson, Dr. Lamie worked
for the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs where his work
focused on assisting rural communities use technology infrastructure
to enhance their prospects for economic viability in the
modern global knowledge economy. Among other things, he assisted
the Lt. Governor's office with community information technology
policy issues, developed the on-line discussion group, Get
Illinois Online, that helped to foster communication in the
state on telecomm policy issues, initiated a multi-county
technology council, and managed the Rural Information Technology
Planning Project. |
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Bruce Lincoln is the Chief Design Scientist of the Urban Cyberspace
Company, a design think tank and consulting/marketing firm
specializing in broadband Internet technologies. From 1994
until 2004, Bruce was the Senior Educational Technologist and
Manager of Community Outreach at the Institute for Learning
Technologies (ILT) at Teachers College, Columbia University.
From 2001 through 2004, Bruce was the Executive Director of
the New York City Community Technology Center Bank, a joint
project of ILT, the City Council, and the Economic Development
Corporation. Under the Urban Cyberspace Company corporate umbrella,
Bruce’s most recent efforts involve the technology design for
1400 on 5th.com, the first smart and green building in Harlem
located at 116th Street and 5th Avenue and the development
of a low-cost wireless, broadband networking and services venture
targeting underserved communities, housing developments and
community technology centers.
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 Bernie
Mazyck took the reigns as the first President and CEO of the
South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations
on November 1, 1998. South Carolina Association Community Development
Corporation (SCACDC) is the state's trade association for Community
Development Corporations and grassroots economic development
organizations. Since his time with SCACDC, Bernie helped sheppard
the growth of the community economic development movement in
South Carolina from 4 Community Development Corporations to
over 50. Under Bernie's leadership, SCACDC has been able to
attract over $4 million to South Carolina, leveraging over
$25 million in community economic development production. |
 Sascha
Meinrath is a community organizer, media activist, and avid
researcher. He is involved with numerous organizations and
coalitions within his local community including Anti-War, Anti-Racism
Efforts (AWARE), the Champaign County Living Wage Coalition,
and the University of Illinois Graduate Employee Organization.
Sascha has overseen logistical support for numerous media projects
worldwide – often working closely with people in many of the
world’s “hot-spots” (e.g., Israel, Palestine, Nigeria, Argentina,
South Africa, Iraq, Miami). Sascha is the co-founder of the
Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center and created many
of the groups and projects that are its hallmarks today (including
its radio news production group, the shows & performance
collective, and founding its newspaper). Currently, Sascha
is coordinating the creation of a National U.S. Independent
Media Center (IMC) syndication website as a venue for highlighting
news and stories from the dozens of IMCs located throughout
the United States. |
 John
G. McNutt, Ph.D. is Associate Professor and Coordinator of
the Advanced Practice Concentration in Organizations and
Communities at the University of South Carolina College of
Social Work. Dr. McNutt is a specialist in the application
of high technology to political and social action. His work
focuses on the role of technology in lobbying, political
campaigning and deliberation, organizing and other forms
of social action. He has conducted research on professional
associations, child advocacy groups, consumer and environmental
protection groups, social action organizations and legislative
bodies. His most recent work looks at new wave political
change technology. |
Bruce
Montgomery is the Director of Chicago Initiatives for Simdesk
Technologies, Inc., Director of Community Development for BDPA
Chicago Chapter, Founding Board Member of CTCNet Chicago and
Producer and Host of Technology Access TV, Chicago’s weekly
technology TV show.
Bruce established his own firm Montgomery & Company in
1989 to address the information management needs of clients
in business, education, government and the non-profit sector.
Bruce has built a strong knowledge base in the needs of service
industries through practical experience in the public and private
sectors i.e.: education, government, real estate, construction,
health care, professional services, software and media enterprises.
Prior to becoming an entrepreneur Bruce developed his expertise
in technology and marketing working for the companies of Control
Data Corporation, Entré Computer, Javelin Software, Timeplex,
Unisys, and Sprint. |
 Don
Neder has spent over 23 years in the technology industry,
with 18 of those years focused on the public sector market
with Compaq, American Management Systems and now Simdesk.
With Simdesk, Don is responsible for presenting Simdesk
to state governments as a statewide approach to significantly
addressing the digital divide by leveling the technology
playing field for all citizens. Don became interested in
the digital divide in 1999, when he helped create the process
to refurbish and distribute several thousand used desktops
for low income families and non-profits. |
 Patrick
J. Noble is a Columbia, South Carolina native with over
20 years of experience in public and community relations,
comprehensive and strategic planning, and staff development
and training. She has extensive experience in governmental
affairs, public involvement and participation, project
management, comprehensive and master planning, event coordination
and small, minority business and women business development.
She has held positions in the public sector having worked
for the former Governor Michael Dukakis, of Massachusetts,
Mayor Richard Lugar, Mayor of Indianapolis, and Governor
Dick Riley, former Governor of South Carolina. She has
also worked in the private sector as a marketing manager
with Bellsouth of South Carolina and as a public affairs
consultant with Chem-Nuclear Systems, South Carolina Cable
Television and Palmetto Health Hospital Systems. |
 Jane
Patterson is a leading expert in information technology infrastructure
and its impact on operations of government, industry and
education. She is the executive director of the E-NC Authority
which works to bring high-speed affordable Internet access
to the citizens, businesses and institutions of North Carolina,
especially those in rural areas. Jane served as Secretary
of Administration under North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt
and led the development of the first integrated information
technology services effort in the nation. She has been a
proponent of the use of distance learning to enhance the
lives of citizens and to create a life-long learning opportunity
for citizens. Patterson has served in the private sector
as a vice-president of a major multinational telecommunications
corporation and has been vice chancellor of the University
of North Carolina at Wilmington. Most recently, prior to
her current position, she served Governor Jim Hunt as the
Advisor for Science and Technology. |
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 Tom Persons, Sr. is the President and CEO of South Carolina
Technology Alliance. During the first quarter of 1998, he was
asked by The Governor’s Technology Advisory Council to form
The South Carolina Technology Alliance, a private-public non-profit
501(c) 3 corporation. Tom was appointed to serve South Carolina
as a member of the Commission on the Future of South Carolina
by Gov. Carol Campbell and Lt. Governor Nick Theodore. He also
served South Carolina as a member of the Policy and Planning
Coordination Commission. Governor Campbell appointed Tom as
one of his representatives on the Business and Education Partnership
for Excellence in Education for South Carolina, which he chaired.
He has served our state’s last three Governors as their appointee
to the Southern Technology Council where he continues his service
for Governor Sanford.
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| Robert
Powell is an Assistant Professor in the Architectural Engineering
Program at North Carolina A&T State University. Over
the last five years he has taught aspects of architectural
design and building construction based on many years of professional
practice. This has included building design and construction
administration as a practicing architect, building contractor,
affordable housing developer, and energy consultant. Powell’s
interests include sustainable development, participatory
design methods, and community building, and sacred geometry.
His study and practice of each of these topics has contributed
to his efforts to produce quality buildings and places that
reflect the values, goals and dreams of their owners and/or
users. These projects have included: the revitalization of
the Eastside Park neighborhood in Greensboro, NC, several
neighborhood planning efforts using the Participatory Design
Method (PDM), conducting an Environmental Design Charrette
as part of a national AIA program, coordinating the NC Sustainable
Design Competition, and the design and construction of Mary’s
House. |
| Chuck
Sherwood is a Public Sector consultant providing service
to local franchising authorities in the preparation of community
needs assessments for the cable franchise renewal process
and the development of nonprofit cable access management
organizations for the provision of PEG Access and Community
Media services to local communities. Additional consulting
services are in the development and implementation of strategic
work plans and public policy positions in a converging telecommunications
landscape. The review of existing public, educational and
governmental access programming services and bringing those
services into the new digital production and distribution
environment that adds the Internet to the traditional cable
channels. The development of management structures, operational
and capital budgets, and community media production equipment
and maintenance packages to create community programming
content and opportunities for public participation. Other
areas of expertise include: Executive Director Search, Board
Development, Human Resources, Marketing Public Relations,
and Fundraising. |
 For over 25 years, Dr. Jabari Simama has been a distinctive voice for using technology to serve the public interest. He has been a true champion of the public/private partnership model, and has maintained the simple perspective that the highest use of technology is that which "makes us more human." Dr. Simama is the Vice President of Community Development at Benedict College and the Director of the Center for Excellence in Community Development. Presently his Division has over $125 million in development projects that are in various stages of implementation. Prior to moving to Columbia, SC, in 2005, Dr. Simama created and directed the city of Atlanta's first multimillion dollar cable access program, a quarter-of-a-century old community media institution that turns 26 in February. Later, after serving two terms on the Atlanta City Council, Dr. Simama raised $10 million to establish and direct the City of Atlanta's Office of Community Technology, where he oversaw the development of a citywide network of community technology centers that at maturity would connect 100 CTCs with broadband. Dr. Simama also created the first RFP for a citywide Wi-Fi network in a major city in America. He is credited with marketing the viability of the concept as solution to bridging the divide and as a new revenue stream for local government. Each year since Y2K, Dr. Simama has assembled thought leaders working to narrow the digital divide with public officials in government to discuss the role of technology in economic and community development. He aims to do the same at Benedict College with the new series of conferences marketed under the banner, "Broadband in Cities & Towns." Winner of 3COM's Urban Challenge Award, E-Gov's Explorer's Award, and Government Technology's Doers, Dreamers, & Drivers of information technology in government honor, Dr. Simama will soon be profiled in a new book on the African American Hall of Fame of Technology, edited by John Barber, author of Blacks in the Information Society. He holds a Ph.D. from Emory University and is a native of Columbia, MO. |
 Dr.
David Holmes Swinton is the 13th president of Benedict College
in Columbia, South Carolina. As president, Dr. Swinton oversees
all areas and departments of the 134-year-old Institution,
whose student population is nearly 3,000.
President Swinton is renowned for his scholarly writings;
most notably his analysis of the economic status of African
Americans, which has been published in the National Urban
League’s The State of Black America. His scholarly works
have been published also in such professional journals
as the Black Enterprise, American Economics Review, The
Review of Black Political Economy, Minority Youth Employment,
Public Administration Review, Journal of Urban Analysis,
and Business and Society.
Since assuming the presidency of Benedict College, Dr.
Swinton has led an impressive program to improve the academic
and physical environment of the College. He has overseen
the restoration of two of the College’s historical landmarks--
Morgan and Pratt Halls, the renovation of several existing
buildings, and the acquisition of land for future expansion.
A new 45,000 square foot state-of-the-art student center,
along with a 100-room mini dormitory, a 350-bed Honors
Dormitory, a 230-bed upperclassmen dormitory and a 300-space
parking facility have also been added to the scenic campus.
Under his direction the college has implemented the first
of three phases to develop a multi-million-dollar sports
complex, which will feature a 10,000-seat football stadium
as its centerpiece. Situated on 61 acres, the complex will
also include an outdoor track, baseball and softball fields,
tennis courts, a soccer field, and a football practice
field. The Complex will be the site of attractive commercial
development entitled Shoppe’s on Read.
Recently, the College has completed the construction of
its first Administration building in several decades, a
new Community Park featuring tennis and basketball courts,
adjacent to the College’s Honor’s Dormitory. Through several
federal grants the Benedict-Allen CDC has initiated the
renovation of over 50 properties including several dilapidated
houses in the community. The Benedict College Business
Center opened its doors in 2002 to help support economic
growth in South Carolina.
For Dr. Swinton, Benedict College is a place where “Learning
to Be the Best: A Power for Good Into the 21st Century”
is more than a slogan -- it characterizes his commitment
to quality and continuous improvement of the College and
its surrounding community. | | Todd
Usher was employed in corporate America in 1996 and formed
a side business purchasing and renovating homes. He recalls
the challenge and sense of accomplishment that resulted with
the first home that he personally renovated. With his strong
entrepreneurial drive and a passion for construction, he
decided to leave corporate America where he had worked for
nearly nine years in order to form Addison Corporation, parent
company of Addison Homes, LLC. Usher’s experience in corporate
America now provides the framework for Addison Homes’ commitment
to continuous quality improvement. By embracing advancements
in construction technology and employing the knowledge of
modern building science, Addison Homes is building new homes
with unparalleled quality and performance. Usher is the driving
force behind this focus on quality and innovation at Addison
Homes, making the personal and corporate commitment to certify
100 percent of all new homes built by Addison to the rigorous
Energy Star® and Earthcraft House™ standards. Both programs
represent the highest regional standards for energy efficient
and environmentally conscious building practices. Addison
Homes is currently the only builder in the State of South
Carolina to make this commitment. |
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