The Patriots, Inc.
2021 - 2024 Board of Directors

COMCAST Business
Wcooper05@gmail.com

William (Bill) Cooper

Chair - Patriots Board of Directors
Director, Federal Capture Management

Bill Cooper is a seasoned business development professional, who leads cross-functional capture and proposal teams to profitable wins on Federal Government IT and Telecom programs. Leveraging his 40-plus years in high-performance computing and technology services, Bill marshals the resources necessary to pursue high-value contract opportunities, oversees bid strategies, pricing, teaming, competitive analysis, and proposal development. Bill has also served in many community-based roles supporting young people in STEM education.

The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development
MJT97@gwu.edu / www.gsehd.gwu.edu

Melissa J. Boston

Department Administrator, Special Education and Disability Studies

Dr. Melissa Boston is a leading public health researcher whose wide-ranging epidemiologic and preventive intervention studies over the past two decades have investigated factors in occupational injury and disease and the influence of chemical and physical agents on reproduction.

National Capital Wing
Civil Air Patrol
Cooper.r@natcapwg.cap.gov

Col. Richard Cooper

External Aerospace Officer/ Professional Development Officer

The National Capital Wing performs the three missions of the Civil Air Patrol: providing emergency services, offering cadet programs for youth, and providing aerospace education for both CAP members and the general public.  Col. Cooper is a recruiter for the youth program.

National Institute of Health
medwardsjr@yahoo.com

Maurice Edwards

Grant Peer Review Specialist

Maurice Edwards has worked in the laboratory field for over 22 years in the areas of medical, biological, HIV diagnostic testing and as a radio chemist.  He moved into the field grant management and grant peer review for about 12 years. He has a B.S. in Professional Biology from North Carolina A&T State University and a Masters of Art in Administrative Management from Bowie State University.  He is the President of a group called The D.C. Metropolitan of Black Scientists who promotes STEM in D.C. metropolitan school system and also provides scholarships to high school seniors.

American University
Calvin.haney@gmail.com 

Calvin Haney

Associate Director Of Student Engagement with the Office of Campus Life

Calvin Haney is responsible for developing and enhancing programs, activities, events, and special co-curricular programs that promote student engagement and retention for all students. This position advises, supports, and serves as consultant to special interest student groups within the Student Engagement portfolio. He is a native of the DC-VA-MD area.

United States Postal Service
jtcjenkins@yahoo.com

Joe Jenkins

Program Coordinator

Manages Mobile Post Office on Wheels program that provides postal products and services to the Senior Community in Montgomery County. Also manages Retail Program and employees at local Post Office.

COMCAST
Sophia_Morris@comcast.com

Sophia Morris

Network Maintenance Supervisor

As a native of Jamaica, Sophia Morris migrated to the United States where she earned her Undergraduate Degree in Construction Management and is currently obtaining her second degree in Cyber Security Policy and Management. She is currently a Network Supervisor at Comcast Cable.

Notably, she is a member of Prince George’s County’s first States Attorney LGBTQ+ Task Force. She works closely with the homeless LGBTQ+ community and is a board member of the Maldon Foundation.

Advancing Minorities Interest in Engineering (AMIE)

Morgan State University –
School of Engineering
5200 Perring Parkway
Baltimore, MD  21251

vlnelson@comcast.net
executive_director@amiepartnerships.org

Veronica Nelson

Executive Director

Ms. Veronica L. Nelson is the Executive Director of Advancing Minorities’ Interest in Engineering (AMIE). In her role, she leads the organization and develops strategies to forge Industry, Government and Academic partnerships with the (15) ABET accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Schools of Engineering to implement and support programs to attract, educate, graduate and place underrepresented minority students in engineering careers. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Robotics from Howard University.

Black Girls Dive Foundation
reggie.smith@blackgirlsdivefoundation.org 

Reggie Smith, III

Chief Innovation Officer

Dr. Reggie Smith III currently serves as the Chief Innovation Officer of the Black Girls Dive Foundation (www.blackgirlsdive foundation.org ) and is the former Chief Executive Officer /Executive Director of the United States Distance Learning Asso. Dr. Smith received his B.S. in English Communications from Lincoln University in PA, his M.A. in International Management from the University of Maryland University College, and his Ph.D. in Education from Capella University.

Independent Community Bankers of America
Valerie.Utsey@icba.org

Valerie Utsey

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Office

Ms. Valerie R Utsey is the EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer for Independent Community Bankers Association. In her role she is responsible for developing and deploying the association’s Human Capital Strategy. Ms. Utsey has over 20 years of HR experience and has been affiliated with Patriots for over 5 years.

United States Department of Housing
550 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 24010
adwcatlin@gmail.com

Andrea Williamson

Program/Project Manager and Urban Development

Andrea D. Williamson is currently a Federal Acquisition Contract Project Manager who manages programs to implement business reengineering processes for the Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC). She leads efforts for the REAC incorporating Strategic Partnering, Program Management Support, Organizational Change Management, Policy Review, Analysis, and Development, Enterprise Risk Management, and Internal Controls. As a retired Major of the United States Army Reserves, she is a proud Veteran.

JAK Elite Games Studios, LLC
Gravesjustin52@gmail.com

Justin Graves
Junior Board Member

Co-Founder, Lead Game Developer

Justin Graves is the co-founder and lead game developer of JAK Elite Game Studios, LLC., an independent video game development company. He is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, earning a degree in Immersive Media Design. Justin has worked with The Patriots for three years and now serves as a STEM instructor and the Director of the Patriots’ E-Sports program.

The Patriots, Inc.
5800 Martin Luther King. Jr. Highway
Seat Pleasant, MD  20743
Phone: 301-925-9350
thurman@patriots-ttc.org

Thurman Jones

President, The Patriots, Inc.

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Expectations

Mentor Expectations (Adult)

  • Complete online registration form. Click here.
  • Attend the Patriots Back to School Summit (or have a corporate representative).
  • Commit to serving as an E-Mentor for at least 1 year.
  • Respond to online submitted questions within 48 hours.
  • If unable to answer an online question, please notify the E-Mentoring website administrator with 24 hours.
  • Consider hosting a virtual online workshop.
  • Please inform Patriots if you would like to include other company representatives.
  • Complete an end-of-the-year E-Mentoring program evaluation.

Mentee Expectations (Student)

  • Attend the Patriots Back to School Summit.
  • Commit to participation in the E-Mentoring program for at least 1 year.
  • Attend at least 8 webinars.
  • Ask respectful and inquisitive questions.
  • Respect the response from the E-Mentor.
  • Participate in the Patriots’ monthly virtual workshops/competitions.
  • Complete an end-of-the-year E-Mentoring program evaluation.
  • Become a member of the Patriots/NSBE Jr Chapter (complete the registration form so that we will have an idea of your career goal).

Coming soon

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