Career Development | Mentoring | Social Networking

 

Company / Organization: The ENOMIS Group, LLC

 

Position: Owner and CEO

 

Who is She? Simone is the owner of The ENOMIS Group – the portal through which she executes her research, development, and writing skills to benefit her clients. In addition to owning her own business, she shares her story and helps others overcome personal challenges and live focus-driven and goal-oriented lives. Her ability to connect with and engage people in various walks of life, through her workshops, seminars, and speaking events gives her an advantage to motivate many and make their lives happen.

 

Background Information: Simone is a Rockford native who has allowed her triumph over cancer to enhance her perseverance and determination to carry out her academic, professional, and personal goals. With resiliency and tenacity, she received a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a minor in English from Northern Illinois University in 2007.

 Contributor: Alexander Gothard

 

Company / Organization: Alexander Holdings, LLC

 

Position:  Managing Member

 

Who is He? Alex resides in Atlanta, Georgia where he looks to return to academia in the fall of 2011 to pursue a degree in City and Regional Planning. He currently works with the local population of teenagers and young adults in helping them to develop their knowledge and skill and increase the economic viability of the underserved.  He is also an adamant real estate investor. He currently owns two multi-unit properties under his property acquisition company, Alexander Holdings, LLC.  Alex considers himself a student of life and human nature. 

 

Background Information: Alex is a graduate of Northern Illinois University where he majored in Human Resource Management. At NIU, he held various leadership positions and became one of the MADE men of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Incorporated. He also served as the Human Resources Intern for the Student Housing and Dining Department where he led a team in the updating and restructuring of the Housing website. Shortly after graduation, he worked as the State Manager of Field operations where he transformed the functionality of his states and his company’s relationship and integrity within the eyes of its representatives and customers.  

Contributor:  Excell Lewis III, Ms.Ed. 

 

Company / Organization: XL Academics, Inc.,

 

Position: Founder, President & CEO 

 

Who is He? Excell currently serves on the Governing Board of the Rockford Region Economic Development District. He is also a member of Lydia Home’s Work Study Advisory Committee, Co-Chair of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s Minority Council, and past community member of the Rockford Register Star’s editorial board. He is an Ex-Officio board member of the IGNITE Leadership Team and was named one of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s 40 Leaders Under 40 in May 2009.

 

Background Information: Excell is a Rockford native who has received the Business of the Year Award from Northern Illinois Minority Companies Association, and the Issac Wilson Award from the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in 2009. He earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational corporate communication, certification in Public Health, and a master’s in adult and higher education from Northern Illinois University. Before establishing XL Academics, Lewis worked at Northern Illinois University, Kishwaukee Health Systems, and Target Corporation.

Contributor: Edward L. Heard Jr. (B.S., Th.M., M.A., Psy.D.)

 

Company / Organization: Northern Illinois University

 

Position: Career Counselor

 

Who is He? Dr. Heard is a counselor who enjoys helping students discover and clarify their career paths (for some, a “life calling”). He attends to students’ holistic needs, while addressing their immediate concerns and changing perspectives. Dr. Heard’s interpersonal, collaborative approach encourages students to increase self-awareness, develop into thoughtful professionals, and sharpen their skills for use in an increasingly complex world. 

Background Information: Before Dr. Heard joined the Career Services staff, he served as a clinician at NIU’s Counseling and Student Development Center. He brings several other rich experiences to his current position, having worked in major metropolitan newspaper, ministry, non-profit, community, hospital, and higher education settings. Dr. Heard is an alumnus of the University of Maryland College Park, Dallas Theological Seminary, and Wheaton College, earning degrees in journalism, theology, and clinical psychology.

 Contributor: James W. Orr, Jr.

 

 Who is He? James is a problem solver who has integrated many different kinds of products to make new machines. He is a creative thinker and currently has two patents in the machine tool industry. He tries to inspire and guide his students to make good choices and have good behavior while providing leadership to encourage individual participation in acheivement of student goals and plans. 

  

Background Information: James taught new crew members in the Navy three years. He also taught Industrial Technology in middle school and high school for eight years. he was an Engineer in the Machine Tool Industry for 25 years, holding positions as a Draftsman all the way up to Sr. Project Engineer. He has been a project leader/administrator on many multi-million dollar projects. 

Contributor: Willard Draper

 

Company / Organization: WDJED Enterprises, Inc., a Human Resources Consulting Firm

 

Position: Director

 

Who is He? Mr. Draper is a life-long learner who has a real appreciation for education, history, and personal development. Although he is retired, his personal objective is to continue contributions and service to the students, staff, administration, academics and development of education by using skills developed through his experiences in the academy. He also continues his own quest of life long learning and personal growth.

 

Background Information: Mr. Draper holds a Masters and Baccalaureate in Educational Administration and an ABD in Adult /Higher Education from Northern Illinois University. He is well versed in various issues of diversity including, minority/majority issues, affirmative action involvement, women’s issues, disability awareness and workshop development and training in these issues. He also has 30 years of program and seminar presentations experience including topics dealing with leadership, diversity, communication skills, race relations, relationships, conflict management, and knowledge of self and human resource issues. Upon his retirement from Northern Illinois University in 2006, the DRAPER Leadership Foundation was established in his name. 

Contributor: Deonta Muhammad

 

Company / Organization: XL Academics, Inc.,

 

Position: Outreach Intern 

 

Who is He? Deonta Muhammad is an exemplary student at Guilford High School. He is a skilled and talented young leader who seeks to work efficiently and master everything that he does. Muhammad is currently working on building traffic on the XL Academics website. Not only is his work efficient Muhammad also keeps a 3.5 GPA and participates in the wrestling and track team at his school. He is a junior now and plans to attend college at Morehouse College, Illinois University, or Ohio State University.

 

Background Information: Deonta moved from DeKalb about 4 years ago to Rockford with his family. He is involved with the Safe In My Brothers Arms (S.I.M.B.A) organization. Muhammad has always had a passion for math, and an aspiration for launching his own business. He received the Who’s Who award in 7^th grade and traveled to Europe with the People to People Student Ambassador Program.