There are over 50 chapters in BDPA nationwide. One of the most progressive chapters is in Richmond VA. The motto of this chapter is 'Educate to Elevate'. A couple of years ago I was invited to serve as keynote speaker for the annual membership drive held by the chapter. I had a great time. My remarks focused on the 'strategies for success'. One of the best aspects of that particular chapter visit was an opportunity to have lunch with 5-6 BDPA members who owned their own businesses. There is an untapped opportunity for BDPA IT entrepreneurs to figure out how better to work together to gain more contracts and such. This will be a topic of discussion in the Village later.
Anyhow, I learned that Justine Turner, the chapter president who extended the invitation for me to visit, stepped down this week. Justine Turner is a native of Hopewell, Virginia. She holds a Certification in Computer Technology from Kee Business College of Richmond, Virginia. Justine is employed at Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Information Technology Division / Enterprise Technology Monitoring department. She has worked in the area of Information Technology for more than 23 years. She began her BDPA career in 1992 as a member of the Richmond Chapter. She has served on the Education committee and as BDPA Richmond’s caterer for several Membership drives. She brought over 10 years of organization leadership skills holding various leadership roles within Anthem and other volunteer organizations to her tenure as chapter president. She also serves as Deacon and Youth Leader of New Life Worship. Justine notes that “the youth are her heart”. Justine was on the National BDPA Board of Directors during the time that I was national president. She will be missed.
BDPA Richmond chapter is fortunate. They have a deep bench of talent. Jackie Pryor is able to step up immediately from her President-Elect position to serve out the remainder of Justine's term as chapter president. Jackie Pryor is a native Richmonder. She has been a member of BDPA since 2001 and has served as co-chairperson of the Program and Fund Raising Committees and she volunteers for BDPA whenever and wherever she is needed. She has a Bachelors Degree in Information Systems (specializing in programming) from Strayer University and has worked in the area of Information Technology for 7 years. She is currently employed with First Health Services as a Sr. Business Analyst on the EDI Implementation Team, where she specializes in Project Management. She also has a background in mainframe programming. Jackie serves on the Security Ministry and is the Co-Team Leader of the Welcome Center at St. Paul’s Baptist Church. She is also the proud mother of Miss Asia Rather. I look forward to watching Jackie and her leadership team take BDPA Richmond chapter to the 'next level'.
Share some 'BDPA love' with both Justine and Jackie if you have time/inclination! Heck, if enough of you leave 'comments' on this post ... the two of them may come visit our Electronic Village!
