Creating IT Futures Foundation Elects 2012 Board of Directors

Updated Foundation board exemplifies diversity and experience  

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill, Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Creating IT Futures Foundation has elected its 2012 Board of Directors, adding three new faces to the group.  


Julius Clark of Wells Fargo Bank; Diana Ermini of OnForce; and Hayward West of Deloitte Consulting were selected to help guide the Foundation as it continues as the philanthropic arm of CompTIA and deploys its new IT-Ready Apprentice Program in its first two locations, Cincinnati and Minneapolis / St. Paul.

"I'm always impressed by the wide array of professional and life experiences new members bring to our board of directors," said Charles Eaton, executive director of the Foundation. "This newest group will be uniquely able to challenge and inform us as we move forward in 2012."

Randy Trask, president and CEO of GED Testing Service, will maintain his position as board chair, while Pamela Green, president and CEO of Easter Seals Work Resource Center in Cincinnati, moves up to the vice-chair role.

Rotating off the board is Jim Wittry, director of North American channel sales at Rackspace Hosting, after three years of providing invaluable service to the foundation and the IT industry.

The remaining board directors and officers are:

• Charles Eaton, executive director, Creating IT Futures Foundation
• Chuck Lennon, president, TeamLogic IT, a nationwide network of businesses that provide comprehensive computer-based services for managing IT. Lennon's extensive knowledge of the channel side of IT is complemented by his significant background in IT training.
• Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO, CompTIA, the leading trade association representing the business interests of the global IT industry. He is responsible for the strategy, development and growth efforts for the association.
• Susan Underhill, vice president, global certification and learning, Hewlett-Packard. She has responsibility for development, operations and worldwide marketing of certification and learning solutions across the breadth of HP's product, services and solutions portfolio.
• Dan Liutikas, chief legal officer, CompTIA, and David Sommer, CFO, CompTIA, remain on the board as secretary and treasurer respectively.

Board directors are eligible to serve three consecutive one-year terms.

Here's a brief look at the newest board directors:

Julius Clark, Wells Fargo Bank, has more than 22 years of diversified experience working in the banking, biotech, defense, insurance, and manufacturing industries. Currently he is an information security professional with Wells Fargo Bank providing database and server security compliance monitoring and reporting. Clark has been involved with the Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) for over 11 years and is well known in the Charlotte, N.C., chapter for his commitment to mentoring youth and adults in various areas of information technology.



Diana Ermini, OnForce, brings more than 18 years of marketing experience to OnForce Inc. In her role, she oversees the creation, management and execution of all marketing activities, corporate communications and philanthropic programs. In addition to her role at OnForce, Ermini is the vice president of communications for the American Marketing Association – Boston Chapter where she serves as the voice of the chapter. Formerly, Ermini was in market management within IBM Software Group, where she led a cross-functional team to support the IBM collaboration portfolio worldwide. She is actively engaged in organizations such as Youth Villages that are dedicated to intensive family restoration and youth development.

Hayward West, Deloitte Consulting, serves as the leader of the Technical Architecture for Solutions Network (SNET) division of Deloitte Consulting, a global team of technology consultants that provides sales, delivery, and practice support for Deloitte. He has served as President of the Philadelphia Chapter of Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) and as a member of the BDPA National Board of Directors. West also serves as a mentor to students and young adults through various organizations and was awarded the Deloitte Mentor of the Quarter in 2011 and the Deloitte Community Impact Award in 2008 for his community work.

About the Creating IT Futures Foundation

Creating IT Futures Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity with the mission of helping individuals in need and populations under-represented in IT to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at www.creatingITfutures.org.

SOURCE Creating IT Futures Foundation