OUR CAUSE
Who we are
Our Vision
Our mission
Mr. Craig Elam
Mr. Elam became OCE&SF Board President in January 2019. Prior to becoming OCE&SF President, he was the Education Director for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc – Theta Tau Sigma Chapter in Northern Virginia for the last six years.
As Education Director, he has been involved in the OCE&SF Scholarship awards criteria and procedures, providing and issuing scholarship applications at the Alfred Street Baptist Church HBCU College Fair, coordinating the Adopt-a-school programs with William B. Haley and Mount Vernon Woods Elementary Schools in Fairfax County, Virginia. He has coordinated efforts in collecting and issuing Backpack and school supplies for those students in need at the beginning of each school year. MR. Henry Thompson
Board Member
Henry A. Thompson, II, Esq. is an attorney in private practice in Northern Virginia and an advocate for educational access and opportunity. As a graduate of Morehouse College and the Howard University School of Law, he is especially passionate about issues related to both Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the communities that they serve. Henry is a member of the Theta Tau Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the Morehouse College National Alumni Association. He advises OCESF on a variety of non-legal issues.
Dr. Lester Wright
Prior to retiring in January 2020 from a career in the federal government, he served as a Subject Matter Expert/Human Resources Advisor and Program Manager at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Human Resources Office at Goddard Flight and Space Center where I was responsible for designing, developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating a wide range of Human Capital programs including the Center’s Mentoring Program, New Employee Orientation, and Leave, Telework, and Exigency Policies. In addition, he has extensive knowledge of program assessments and evaluations, research methodologies, instructional technology, and online learning. My certifications include Instructional Technology, Consulting Skills, Contracting Representative Officer (COR), Facilitation, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®, The Speed of Trust, and DISC.
DR. NICHALOS GARDNER
Dr. Gardner has worked on both the public and private side. He currently serves as the Vice-President of Engineering and Architecture for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (DC Metro) where he leads an engineering team responsible for supporting the day to day operations of the transit and bus system as well as ensuring that capital projects are designed in a safe, efficient manner. He is a Professional Engineer (PE) registered in several states and maintains an NCEES record. He spent the early part of his career working as a consulting engineer before moving into the construction industry working as a project engineer and project manager on a variety of projects. He began his public sector career serving as the Road Manager and Director of Public Works for Hinds County, MS. He later served as Assistant Director of Public Works for the City of Manassas, VA, and as the Assistant Director for Transportation and Land Use for the Virginia Department of Transportation responsible for Prince William County. Mr. Michael D. Thornton
Michael D. Thornton, Sr is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner of Visionary Consulting Partners, LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration from Tennessee State University and a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University. He is a retired career military officer and private sector corporate executive with over 40 years of combined experience. He has been a member of Phi Beta Sigma for 43 years, currently serves as the Asst. Treasurer and is also an OCE&SF Board Member. MR. Randy Taylor
Randy L. Taylor worked for both the federal government and the US military. Currently, Randy works for Defense Media Activity as an Operations Manager. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Hampton University and a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University. He is a retired military officer with extensive command, staff, and multinational experience. Randy has been a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. for more than 20 years.
DR. LASALLE L. HALL
Dr. LaSella L. Hall, Ph.D., serves as Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Eastern Region Co-Director of Collegiate and Alumni Affairs; a position he has held since 2020. Prior too, he served as the New England State Director of Education. He is a proud chapter member of Theta Tau Sigma Chapter. Dr. Hall is a higher education student affairs professional. Presently, he serves as the Director of Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Chesapeake College located in Wye Mills, Maryland. Hall received his doctorate degree in Humanities, African American Studies, and Political Science from the prestigious Clark Atlanta University (CAU), an HBCU in Atlanta.