BDPA Individual Epsilon Awards
In 2003, BDPA collaborated with WorkplaceDiversity.com to introduce the Best Companies for Blacks in Technology Awards Program to assess selected organizations with respect to the organizational climate for African-Americans. Each year, BDPA surveys Fortune 1000 companies to assess the workplace and career development climate within those corporations. Annually, the prestigious BDPA Epsilon Award goes to the top company in the nation that promotes a workplace and environment that supports the advancement of African-Americans in the information technology industry. Allstate Insurance Company won this coveted award for two (2) consecutive years in 2003 and 2004. Lockheed Martin Corporation won the 2005 BDPA Epsilon Award
In this economy, many African Americans in technology are concerned about opportunities for both employment and advancement. While BDPA has highlighted the top companies for African Americans to thrive in, we have not recognized those individuals who exemplify leadership, professional commitment and excellence working in those companies and in other segments of the IT industry. It is important to recognize African Americans who have excelled in their careers and who have reflected great credit on African Americans in the IT industry. With that idea in mind, BDPA has introduced the BDPA Epsilon Awards for Individual Achievement.
BDPA Epsilon Awards go to individuals nominated by BDPA sponsor companies or BDPA Chapters in the following five categories:
1. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
2. CAREER ACHIEVEMENT
3. OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION
4. COMMUNITY SERVICE
5. MOST PROMISING TECHNOLOGIST
BDPA recognizes all award winners during the annual BDPA Technology Conference Awards Gala. BDPA and BDPA sponsors feature award winners in their publications and websites. BDPA invites sponsor executives to present awards to their employees and associates during the awards ceremony.
BDPA Individual Epsilon Awards go to individuals nominated by BDPA sponsor companies or BDPA Chapters in the following five categories:
1. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
2. CAREER ACHIEVEMENT
3. OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION
4. COMMUNITY SERVICE
5. MOST PROMISING TECHNOLOGIST
2009 BDPA Individual Epsilon Awards
- Professional Achievement Award: Rosalind Shaffer, Associate Information Consultant, Eli Lilly and Company
- Career Achievement Award: Joe McMahon, Business Director, Sabre Systems
- Community Service Award: Matthew Harvey, Business Intelligence and Sales Reporting Team Leader, Eli Lilly and Company
2008 BDPA Individual Epsilon Awards
- Professional Achievement Award: Charles Wallace
- Career Achievement Award: Earl Jennings
- Outstanding Technical Contribution Award: Juan E. Gilbert, Ph.D.
- Community Service Award: Curtis Jenkins
- Most Promising Technologist Award: James A. Peterson, III
2007 BDPA Individual Epsilon Awards
- Professional Achievement Award: Tim Brown of Eli Lilly and Irma Pittman of PSEG
- Career Achievement Award: Coram Rimes of Prudential Financial
- Outstanding Technical Contribution Award: Darrell Styles of Eli Lilly.
- Community Service Award: Kevin M. Gates of MICROSOFT
- President’s Career Achievement Award: LaTasha Gary of Hewlett Packard
2006 BDPA Individual Epsilon Awards
1. The 2006 BDPA Epsilon PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT Award winners are:
Martin B. Davis, Chief Information Officer
Wachovia, Corporation
Corporate or Government IT Category
David Thomas, Sr., Vice President and Worldwide Director for Information Technologies
Texas Instruments, Inc.
IT Services and Support Industry Category
2. The 2006 BDPA Epsilon CAREER ACHIEVEMENT Award winners are:
Melani Wilson Smith, Associate Director
Global IS Procurement
Merck & Co.
Internal Corporate or Government IT Category
Jacklyn Mitchell Wynn
Vice President
Americas Strategy and Business Development
Hewlett Packard
IT Services and Support Industry Category
3. The 2006 BDPA Epsilon OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION Award winners are:
Dwight Handon
Senior ISS Director
Freddie MAC
Internal Corporate or Government IT Category
Hakeem Shittu
Systems Designer/Developer
COMPUWARE Corp
IT Services and Support Industry Category
4. The 2006 BDPA Epsilon COMMUNITY SERVICE Award winners are:
Gary Simms
Senior Manager, Change Management
Freddie MAC
Internal Corporate or Government IT Category
Patricia Taylor
Project Manager I
Professional Services
COMPUWARE
IT Services and Support Industry Category
5. The 2006 BDPA Epsilon MOST PROMISING TECHNOLOGIST Award winners are:
Nicole Buckner
Team Leader
Quest Diagnostics
Internal Corporate or Government IT Category
Ed Jones
Officer, Enterprise Technology Infrastructure
SunTrust Bank
IT Services and Support Industry Categor