OUR STORY
NPower is a national nonprofit that leverages an evidence-based model to foster economic empowerment through digital skill enhancement and industry recognized credentials for military-connected individuals, young adults, and women from under-resourced communities. Our strength is seeing students of nontraditional backgrounds through pivotal life transitions. Our unique approach combines rigorous, free training and trauma-informed support services, career readiness skills and job placement assistance.
We have offered foundational and advanced career training opportunities to over 10,000 graduates, with the goal of scaling to serve 15,000 annually by 2030—all while maintaining strong placement outcomes. Led by a committed team, we seek to create a tech workforce that mirrors the world around us and empower students to drive change in their own lives and communities.
Over the past decade, NPower has expanded its program reach and developed a robust network of Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized enterprises, government agencies, staffing firms, and a network of nonprofit partners that host its interns and hire its graduates full-time. NPower is a vital solution towards bridging the national talent gap that exists in the high-growth technology industry.
To learn more about NPower, visit npower.org.
ORDER OF CEREMONY
DALLAS, TEXAS
WELCOME
Jonathan Pride
VP of Field Operations, NPower
INTRODUCING BANK OF AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE
Hermen Wegayehu
Business Information Security Officer & NPower Regional Advisory Board Chair
PROGRAM INTRODUCTION
Vonshe Jenkins
SVP; Global Supplier Diversity & Responsible Sourcing Executive, Bank of America
INTRO TO ALUMNI SPEAKER
Mindy Cummings
NPower Site Director
ALUMNI SPEAKER
Demi Sims
Tech Fundamentals, Fall 2023
INTRO TO MAVS CLASS SPEAKER
Jessica Cochran
Associate Director of Programs
MAVERICKS CLASS SPEAKER
Al Lacier
INTRO TO RANGERS CLASS SPEAKER
Jessica Cochran
RANGERS CLASS SPEAKER
Chase Tyler
INTRODUCE INSTRUCTORS TO ANNOUNCE CLASS HONORS
Detrick Garza Propes
Business Development & Placement Manager
CLASS HONORS PRESENTERS
Technical Instructors, NPower North Texas
Daniel Frye, D’Andrea Jefferson, Connor Phares, and Jonathan Cantu
NPower Beacon Award
Mavericks: Janice Patrick
Rangers: Hunter Green
NPower Go Getter Award
Mavericks: Kevin Raju
Rangers: Kenneth Jones
INTRO TO COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Mindy Cummings
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Raymond Robinson Jr.
Wells Fargo
PROGRAM COMPLETION CERTIFICATE CEREMONY
Michael Bonolis
Recruitment and Admissions Manager
CLOSING
Jonathan Pride & Mindy Cummings
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Raymond Robinson Jr.
Executive Director, Lead Delivery Coordinator Data Center Exit & Migrations (DCEM), Wells Fargo
After retiring from the Army in 2016, Raymond began a job in commercial transportation as a truck driver. Realizing that this was simply a job and not a career, he made the decision to inquire about Npower from someone he knew. The program was challenging, as Raymond didn’t have any prior IT experience. The instructors and staff made sure this wasn’t an impediment to success. After graduation, he was offered an internship at Citi, was hired as a contractor, and ultimately was hired as an Infrastructure Delivery Manager. After 5 years, and following a promotion to Vice President, Raymond was offered and accepted a position with Wells Fargo where he is now an Executive Director responsible for all Consumer Technology applications.
ALUMNI SPEAKER
Demi Sims Tech Fundamentals, Fall 2023
After leaving the Naval Service, I felt lost and wasn’t sure what to do next. I had two potential career paths in mind: pursuing my Dive Master Certification and becoming an Instructor in Key West or attending nursing school. One day, I attended a job fair and met Sherri, who told me about NPower. She believed in me and helped me with my application, despite my nerves. I signed up and started classes a few days later. I was worried because I had no formal tech training and didn’t think I could pass the first week, let alone the certification exam. During the program, we formed study groups and built strong bonds. Our instructors, Daniel, Ruby, and Kevin were incredible and very helpful. My Social Support Manager, Brittany, was always there for me, providing positivity and motivation every step of the way. I have completed my ITF+ certification and will soon be taking the A+ exam. This program has opened so many doors for me and introduced me to helpful mentors who have expanded my network. I am grateful for the opportunity and will pay it forward. Thank you, NPower!
CLASS SPEAKERS
Alfred Lacier
I joined the Navy right after high school. I qualified Submarines in 1986 and served from 1984 until 2005, 10 years enlisted, and 11 years commissioned. I was selected as lieutenant commander in 2005. Life took an unexpected turn in 2021. A spinal condition left me with physical limitations, and I faced the daunting prospect of redefining my career path. A post on LinkedIn introduced me to NPower—an organization that promised a bridge to a new future. As someone who had always been intrigued by technology, I saw an opportunity to channel my passion into a fulfilling career. The technical training, social support network, and the camaraderie in this program are nothing short of outstanding. As I prepare for the next chapter of my life, I am profoundly grateful. NPower has equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and resilience needed to thrive in the ever-evolving field of IT.
Dechasa E. Tyler
I joined the military at 22 after realizing I needed a major change in my life. I served proudly for 11 years and was honorably discharged to pursue other opportunities using the skillset I acquired during that time. I have done executive protection for ambassadors and high net worth clients all over the world, but after my displacement with my previous client, I realized again it was time for another change. I was introduced to NPower through the Texas Veterans Commission and after some research I knew that Tech was going to be my future. Even though I had minimal IT knowledge, like most of the students here, I possessed the drive to succeed. I just needed someone who was willing to show me the way and that’s what NPower has provided. With the connections that are made here and the knowledge that is obtained, I’m more confident than ever that my IT career will thrive just like I did while serving.
GRADUATES
CONGRATULATIONS!
Spring 2024 Tech Fundamentals
Kehinde Ajayi
Kemka Anamekwe
Bryan Ashford, Jr
Tiesha Bishop
Michael Burrell
Cameron Cannon
Rosalina Cardichon Destine
Genaro Carrillo
Moriyah Covington
Caleb Crawford
Skye Davis
Micah Dennis
Johny Do
Tareakubore Ejovwo-Ottoh
Urunesheyi Ejovwo-Ottoh
Diana Esobar
Madison Fletcher
Blessing Gaye
Jayden Hardge
Abulusine Kamara
Victoria Kelly
Alfred Laicer
Yanqing Ling
Wilfredo Lopez
Nevin Lukose
Vivian Nguyen
Alfie Obonna
Michelle Obonna
Udochukwu Osuji
Toi Parker
Janice Patrick
Eesha Prakruthi Kavattur
Sandeep Rajamani
Kevin Raju
Rajani Sapkota
Tahjee Speight
Fantasia Sweet
James Thomas
Marissa Whitaker
Ashanti William
David Wilson
Sofia Ahmed
Abhishek Bhattarai
Jorge Bonilla
Mauricio Botero
Mario Castro
Oscar Castro Gonzalez
Nathanael Cheatom
Carrie Cummings
Fernando Gallegos
Joshua Gillispie
Eric Gilyard
Keron Gittens
Hunter Green
Ernest Gresham Jr
Keishun Hickerson
Okemea Hostler
Raynesha Hughes
Kenneth Jones
Chandler Jones
Don Kizer
Sona Kunwar
Phillip Kurtz
Nichole Osenga
Carole Pegui Kengne
Rajina Sapkota
Summer Smith
Kenneth Smith
Roderick Souder
kanchan Tiwari
Dechasa Tyler
Devyn William
KEY CLASS STATISTICS
51% Women in This Cohort
THANK YOU to Our Employment Partners, Funders and Volunteers
VOLUNTEERS
Veteran Commission
Prairie View A&M
Attitudes and Attire
HCL
First Command
Bank of America
Marriage Management
City Year Year Up
UTA
Rescare
City of Dallas
TEXAS REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
Doug Barnes Vice President of Operations
NETSCOUT
Barbie Barta Chief Exectuive Officer
Business Centric Technology
Jacqueline Bragg
NPOWER ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVE Information Security Analyst Wells Fargo
Dana Branch
Senior Vice President, AI Bank of America
Tresia Eaves Entrepeneur SDVOSB
Blake Helm Cloud Infastructure Finance
Oracle
Jason Hess Executive Director JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Workforce Solution
LinkedIn City of Fort Worth
Southwest Airlines ISN
Kings Accountability Group
AT&T Government Solution
TVC
Opportunity At Work
Dallas College
Mr. Cooper
Stand 4 Sisterhood
FYC Labs
Marc Interial Process Technical Services
Timothy Jackson Diamond Offshore
Rashimi Jain CIO
Careington International
Christopher Karp Director of Customer Service Chewy
Bobbie Long CO-CHAIR
SVP Digital Automation & Infrastructure Citi
Ashley Neumeier Account Executive Optomi
Raymond Pitts Founder 100 Men Enterprise
GM Financial K-Force
Coop Solutions
NVOP
Chase PNC Bank
EMPLOYMENT PARTNERS
Accenture, Deloitte, GXA, Citi, North Texas Toll Authority, Mr. Cooper, Bank of America
Emir Putra WWT
Kian Sanders VP Mr. Cooper
Drew Simmons Chief Information Security Officer Juniper Networks
Renee Stewart Yang Ming Corp
Hermen Wegayehu CHAIR
SVP, Senior Information Security Officer
Bank of America
Charles Woodin Geekdom
Valencia Woodward AVP, Talent Managment Mr. Cooper
