Mr. Ronald E. Blakely was named the Army Minority Institutions Program Manager on March 3, 1997. Subsequent to joining the Army’s Small Business Office, he served as an EEO Specialist and HBCU Program Manager for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During his tenure with the EPA, Mr. Blakely was instrumental in developing EPA’s Black Employment Program and HBCU program. He worked with the Agency’s Human Resources Office and the Office of Research and Development to implement several highly successful employment and educational programs.

Mr. Blakely is a 1974 graduate of Tuskegee University, where he received degrees in Social Work and Human Resources Management. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, In the U.S. Army’s Adjutant General Corps were served on active duty from 1974 until 1980. He later served with the District of Columbia Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He has completed several military service schools to include the Adjutant General Officers’ course, DoD Equal Opportunity School, and the Air Command and Staff Course.

Adam Chavarria joined the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans as Associate Director in June 2001. He presently serves as the Executive Director, a position he was appointed to by the Bush Administration in December 2003. In this capacity, he is responsible for directing the efforts of the White House Initiative in engaging Hispanic parents, families, and entire communities across the nation as active participants in improving the academic achievement of Hispanic Americans.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Chavarria served for more than eight years as the Executive Director of the Hispanic College Fund (HCF), a national non-profit organization founded by Hispanic business leaders in 1993. Mr. Chavarria headed HCF, located in Washington, D.C., since its inception, during which time more than one million dollars was awarded in scholarships to over 600 deserving Hispanic students enrolled in colleges and universities throughout the country. As Executive Director, he led the organization from start-up to a successful national scholarship-granting organization. In the process, he forged lasting partnerships with corporations, higher education institutions, and the Hispanic business community.

Colonel (P) Genaro “Gino” J. Dellarocco is the Deputy Commander for Systems of Systems Integration, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Colonel Dellarocco is responsible for quickly placing the right technology into the hands of war fighters and integrating research, development, and engineering across the entire spectrum of the Army’s technology base, including Army Laboratories and Research, Development and Engineering Centers, Department of Defense Laboratories, universities, industry, sister services, ally and foreign services, and other science and technology sources.

Prior to this assignment he served as the Chief, Capabilities and Acquisition Division, J8, the Joint Staff from 2005 -2006 and as the Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center. He served from 2001-2003 as the Project Manager for Force Projection at Program Executive Office, Combat Support and Combat Service Support in Warren, Michigan. He attended the U.S. Army War College (USAWC) in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and graduated as a member of the Class of 2001.

Dr. Patricia Gruber joined the Office of Naval Research in December, 2005 as the Director of Research. She is responsible to the Chief of Naval Research as the principle assistant for the overall integration of the Discovery and Invention (D&I) S&T portfolio (6.1 and early 6.2) in support of naval mission areas. She has primary responsibility for maintaining a strong D&I portfolio in S&T areas that are of interest to the Navy, providing transition bridges to later stages of development and nurturing academic and Naval S&T human capital resources.

Dr. Gruber came to ONR after serving as the Assistant to the Director for strategic planning at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL), Penn State. ARL is a Navy-focused S&T laboratory and is the largest research unit at Penn State. In this role, she focused on expanding ARL’s research funding base to maintain and build core capabilities as a university center of research excellence for critical Naval sciences and technologies. She also served as Program Manager for Navy Counter IED basic research programs at the university, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency University Strategic Partnership and Army ARDEC Homeland Defense projects.

Dr. Leonard L. Haynes III has served as Director for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education in the Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education since 2003. In this capacity, Dr. Haynes administers a program that supports over $30 million in innovative grant programs that impact America’s postsecondary educational community. He comes to the position with a distinguished career and background as an educator and public servant in advancing the common good.

Dr. Haynes has been a member of the faculties of Howard, Maryland, Southern University, and George Washington University. He has published on matters relating to equity and parity for minority populations and their education. In this regard he is recognized as an expert on the desegregation of public higher education. His opinions have appeared in major media outlets and he has served as a commentator on both radio and television on education and related topics. Dr. Haynes has also been recognized for making important contributions to advancing the cause of international higher education and the public diplomacy efforts of the United States.

Dr. A. James Hicks, Program Director, Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP), National Science Foundation (NSF), Washington DC, is well known at the local, state and national levels for his service on numerous committees and advisory boards. At the national level, Dr. Hicks has served on several panels of proposal evaluators for the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C; the Directorate for Science and Engineering Education/NSF, Atlanta, GA; the Department of Education/Minority Institutions Science Improvement Program (MISIP), Washington, D.C; the NSF Minority Graduate Fellowship Program, and NSF’s Research Apprenticeship for Minority High School Students Program. In 1995, he was a member of the North Carolina delegation to Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, which negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding to allow student and faculty exchanges between North Carolina and Germany.

Dr. Hicks has received numerous honors and awards for his achievements in science and for his efforts in promoting the advancements of underrepresented groups in science, engineering and mathematics. Most notably, in 1988 he received the White House Initiatives Faculty Award for Excellence in Science and Technology with a letter of from President Ronald Reagan.

Mr. Hollingsworth was born October 23, 1954, in Washington, DC. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1977 from the George Washington University, Washington, DC. He received his Master of Science degree in Engineering Administration at the Catholic University in 1982. In February of 1996, Mr. Hollingsworth was honored to become a member of the Senior Executive Service with his promotion to the position of Director for the AIR-4.5 Avionics Department Aircraft Division. As Deputy, National Operations for the AIR-45 Avionics Department he currently manages a team of approximately 700 members across the nation.

In February of 2003, Mr. Hollingsworth was the recipient of the Black Engineer of the Year Award for his professional achievement in government. In October of 2003, Mr. Hollingsworth was promoted to the position of Director for the (National) AIR-4.5 Avionics Department, NAVAIR. As National Director, for the entire Avionics Department, he is responsible for over 3,200 civilians, military and contractor personnel covering seven sites across the United States.

Marvalene Hughes, Ph.D. serves as the ninth and first woman president of Dillard University in New Orleans, a historically black, 4-year, comprehensive liberal arts college established in 1869. Dr. Hughes began her tenure as president of Dillard July 1, 2005. Her leadership has been most profound as she continues to guide the university through the effects of Hurricane Katrina, the nation’s most devastating natural/human disaster. With unwavering determination, she has guided Dillard University and facilitated the rebuilding of the campus which sustained more than $400 million in flood, fire and wind damage. She is leading the university through the substantial recovery, rebuilding, and master planning of the 55-acre campus while continuing routine functions of a regular university administration at the Hilton Riverside Hotel.

Dr. Hughes has been an active leader in major national organizations and has initiated partnerships with multiple international institutions. In April of 2005, Black Voices selected her as one of the top 10 Black women in Higher Education in America. Dr. Hughes has conducted research and authored or co-authored numerous chapters and articles related to education, managing organizations, human behavior, and diversity.

Ms. Jacobs is the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Manager, and Industrial Liaison Officer at DARPA. She has 40 years of Federal experience in Industrial Liaison activities, the most recent of which is her involvement in the SBIR program, where she has worked since its inception in late 1982 and early 1983. She manages DARPA’s $75M SBIR/STTR programs.

Ms. Jacobs represents DARPA and the DoD at a multitude of Small Business Conferences. She conducts SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) training sessions for Historically Black Colleges and Minority Institutes (HBCU/MI’s), Small Business Development Centers, and laboratories included in the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC).

Mr. John H. James, Jr. is the Executive Director of the Logistics, Maintenance and Industrial Operations directorate at Naval Sea Systems Command. He began at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 1981 as a Nuclear Ship Superintendent. Since then Mr. James has worked at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, VA, on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, and held various senior positions within the Submarine Directorate of the Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters organization.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Howard University and a master’s degree in management from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Major General Ronald L. Johnson was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He was commissioned as an Engineer Officer from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in June 1976. Prior to his selection as the Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he served as Director of the U.S. Army Installation Management Agency (IMA). MG Johnson served as principal advisor on installation management to the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management and spokesman for all Army base operations issues. IMA manages all of the Army’s installations worldwide. MG Johnson directed the management of 181 Army installations, over 75,000 military and civilian personnel, and a budget exceeding $8 billion.

MG Johnson is the recipient of the 2003 Black Engineer of the Year Award for Professional Achievement in Government Service and an inductee into the 2005 Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni at Georgia Tech.

DON) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program Office. Mr. Junior issues program guidance and administrative instructions and monitors their implementation. He has the responsibility to encourage, develop, implement, manage, evaluate and report on activities and programs that strengthen and support the capabilities of HBCU/MIs to participate in Naval science and technology research programs, education programs, and contract work. Mr. Junior is the principal advisor to the Chief of Naval Research, Director of the Navy’s Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Program, and Executive Director and Technical Director of the Office of Naval Research (ONR) on issues related to HBCU/MIs.

In addition to his other duties, Mr. Junior serves as the Deputy Director of ONR’s Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Office. In this capacity Mr. Junior assists in the management of ONR’s Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Program.

Dr. Wendy Lawrence-Fowler is the Vice Provost for Research and Sponsored Projects at The University of Texas-Pan American and a Professor in the Department of Computer Science. She is responsible for the University’s research mission and technology transfer. Under Dr. Lawrence-Fowler’s leadership, UTPA has seen impressive growth in its research productivity. Research expenditures have tripled and over all awards for sponsored programs have increased by 25% in the last three years.

Lawrence-Fowler has an impressive history of educational leadership and community service. From 1994 to 2002, she served as founding director of the Center for Learning, Teaching, and Technology. Prior to joining the UTPA, Dr. Fowler designed software in the National Service Division of IBM and held research scientist positions at New Mexico State’s Computing Research Laboratory and at NMSU’s Primate Research Center. She has served on boards of trustees for the Discovery School, Girl Scouts of America and the American Red Cross. She serves numerous state and local organizations in education and public service. In 2002, she was selected as a FYRE Fellow by EDUCAUSE and in 2004 she participated in Harvard’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education.

Mr. John Miller is the Director of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, the Army’s premier laboratory for basic and applied research and analysis. ARL conducts research and analysis in weapons and materials, sensors and electron devices, computational and information sciences, human research and engineering, vehicle technology, and survivability and lethality analysis. ARL’s Army Research Office executes the extramural basic research program in scientific and engineering disciplines. The Laboratory consists of approximately 2000 military and civilian employees with annual revenue of over $1B.

Mr. Miller entered federal civil service in 1971. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service (SES) in 1998. During his civil service career, he has served in a number of positions in the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and prior to that in the U.S. Army Harry Diamond Laboratories. From 1992 through 1998, Mr. Miller held positions as Division Chief, Acting Director of the ARL Sensors Directorate, and Deputy Director of the ARL Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate. During this time he was responsible for directing basic and applied research in RF, EO, acoustic sensor technologies, and signal and image processing.

Admiral Michael G. Mullen became the 28th Chief of Naval Operations on July 22, 2005. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968 and has served in Allied, Joint and Navy positions, overseas and in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. Adm. Mullen’s last operational assignment was Commander, Joint Force Command Naples/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe.

Adm. Mullen served as Company Officer and Executive Assistant to the Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. He also served in the Bureau of Naval Personnel as Director, Surface Officer Distribution and in the Office of the Secretary of Defense on the staff of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation. On the Chief of Naval Operations’ staff, Adm. Mullen served as Deputy Director and Director of Surface Warfare; Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Resources, Requirements, and Assessments (N8); and as the 32nd Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

John Parmentola currently serves as Director for Research and Laboratory Management for the US Army, directing laboratory management policy for all Army laboratories, research, development and engineering centers. Dr. Parmentola also oversees Environmental Quality technology, Manufacturing Technology, Small Business Innovative Research, and Army High Performance Computing programs. His responsibility encompasses policy for personnel systems, laboratory infrastructure, laboratory security, and Base Realignment and Closure.

Dr. Parmentola was Air Intelligence Agency nominee for the R. V. Jones Central Intelligence Agency Award and recipient of the Outstanding Civilian Service Award for his many contributions to the US Army. He has presented and published over 150 speeches, papers, and articles in science and technology policy and is the author of an authoritative book on space defense.

Ms. Tracey L. Pinson became the Director for Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Office, Secretary of the Army in May 1995. Ms. Pinson advises the Secretary of the Army and the Army Staff on all small business procurement issues and is responsible for the implementation of the Federal acquisition programs designed to assist small businesses, including small disadvantaged businesses and women-owned businesses. She is responsible for the management of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) program, and develops policies and initiatives to enhance their participation in Army funded programs. As one of the top females in the Army’s acquisition career field, she is responsible for the integration of small businesses, HBCUs and MIs in acquisition strategies developed at the Army Headquarters. She also provides management and oversight for the Army’s Mentor-Protégé Program.

Ms. Pinson received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Howard University. She also received a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. She is a member in good standing of the Maryland Bar Association and the National Contract Management Association.

Earl Stanford Richardson is the 11th President of Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. A native of Maryland, Dr. Richardson has been a Fellow of the Ford Foundation and the Kellogg Foundation and has conducted extensive research on critical problems in higher education relevant to racial autonomy, desegregation and integration. He has written several articles on the implications of proposals to merge historically Black institutions with white institutions and on inter-institutional cooperation in higher education.

Since becoming President of Morgan State University, Dr. Richardson has fashioned an all-encompassing strategy for strengthening academic programs, improving fiscal management, stabilizing student enrollment, accelerating fund-raising efforts and renovating the University’s physical plant. He is also very active in civic and community organizations and has served as a member of the Boards of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Greater Baltimore Committee, the Committee of 100 for the Science Center, the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Foundation of Maryland, the National Board of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (1992), and the Board of the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education.

Lieutenant General Rochelle assumed duties as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, United States Army, in June 2006.Lieutenant General Rochelle enrolled at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Foreign Language Education in 1972. While enrolled and finishing his degree at Norfolk State University, he concurrently completed the Advanced ROTC program and was commissioned as a Regular Army Officer in June 1972. His military education includes the Army War College, Army Command and General Staff College, Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, and the Adjutant General Officer Basic and Advanced Courses.

Lieutenant General Rochelle’s decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster (Army), the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Recruiter Badge, Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.

In April 2006, the Southern University and A&M College System Board of Supervisors elected Dr. Ralph Slaughter as the sixth president of the nation’s only historically black college system. For the last 9 years Slaughter served as SU System vice president for administration and management and as coordinator of the State Farm Bayou Classic.

Since taking the helm of the 126 year-old university, one of Slaughter’s first goals was to craft a vision to continue the legacy and mission of Southern University of providing a quality education and exciting opportunities for students. The SU presidents’ vision includes practicing accountability, maintaining high academic standards through innovative teaching and research, improving access to advanced technology and resources, promoting community and public service, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment, providing professional and efficient customer service, generating a positive image, strengthening partnerships with alumni, and attracting a diverse, academically talented student body through aggressive recruitment efforts.

Ms. Oreta B. Stinson, Acting Director, Office of the Secretary of the Navy, Small Business Programs, has over 28 years of experience in Defense Acquisition. Prior to her recent assignment, Ms. Stinson completed an eighteen-month rotational assignment in the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics). Ms. Stinson’s responsibilities and focus at the OSD Small Business Program Office included the Department of Defense (DoD) Indian Incentive Program and Historical Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions (HBCU/MIs).

Prior to this assignment, Ms. Stinson served as a Deputy Program Manager for the Naval Mission Planning Systems at Naval Air Systems Command where she led the development of a Joint (Navy/Air Force) Mission Planning Systems for our warfighters. During her tour of the F/A -18 Program Office, Ms. Stinson led the development of a risk program metrics methodology that is currently used by many programs throughout the Department of Defense.