Patricia Bransford
Patricia Bransford is the Founder and President of The National Urban Technology Center and an expert in using technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of delivering education and vocational services to low-income communities. She is the author of the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) educational curricula that transforms the conventional classroom into an interactive learning environment for youth 10 to 17. In conjunction with creating the YLA curriculum Ms. Bransford developed a “turn-key” process for building state-of-the-art computer training centers in multiple countries across the country. This process, called SeedTech, has been adopted by the Department of Justice, Weed and Seed, for transferring technology skills to inner-city communities. The National Urban Technology center has built more than 500 computer centers across the country.

Prior to establishing The National Urban Technology Center, Ms. Bransford worked at IBM for more than 20 years in a career in technology. During her years at IBM she directed IBM’s $100 million business with New York City including strategic planning, marketing and implementation of large-scale information systems projects in the areas of social services, criminal justice housing and finance.  As an economic development consultant, Ms. Bransford assisted government officials in developing economic development and differentiation strategies for the 21st century and was instrumental in turning a former IBM manufacturing facility into the largest minority employee-owned compute manufacturing company in the world.

Patricia Bransford was awarded the Beacon Award by the Morehouse and Spelman New York Alumni Scholarship Fund in honor of her distinguished accomplishments and work in disadvantaged communities; and received the Granville T. Woods award given by the National Association of Black Telecommunications Professionals to “the outstanding CEO of a corporation with the greatest impact in the community.” Ms. Bransford has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and a Master’s Degree from the N.Y.U. Stern School of Business Administration.  She received the Catholic University of America’s Alumni Achievement Award given each year to alumni for outstanding accomplishments in their professional fields.

Tom Bransford
Tom Bransford, Vice President of Marketing and Finance, is a senior manager with thirty years of experience in information technology, largely with IBM. His last assignment with IBM was as the State Education Advisor to the New York City school system, where he oversaw the implementation of technology to assist the education of more than one million students. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Dartmouth College. Mr. Bransford joined Urban Tech in 1995.

Marie Bathelmy
Marie Bathelmy, Contracts and Administration Manager, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Columbia University. She started at Urban Tech in 1998 as a Program Associate for the Brooklyn Community Network (BCN) project. Ms. Bathelmy has worked with other nonprofit agencies, including the United Way of New York City and the St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center.  She coordinates operations and logistics; she is involved with professional development, marketing and sales, and she has personnel responsibilities.

Roxanne Febles
Roxanne Febles, Office Manager, has practical, hands-on experience with assembly, troubleshooting, and repair of both personal and network computers. Ms. Febles joined Urban Tech June 2001, after graduating from Urban Tech's computer repair program.  Ms. Febles provides marketing, accounting, and administrative support to Urban Tech's System Services Department. She was involved with building a website for Columbia's Teachers College - J.M. Huber, as part of Columbia's Tech Skills Mentoring Project. Ms. Febles is A+ and Microsoft Word certified.

Alia Jones
Vice President of Business Development

Craig Patches
Craig Patches, Vice President of Multimedia Development, is the Animation Director of YLA's On the Reel series of cartoons and interactive games.  He created and animates the characters in the life skills episodes; he designs games and manages animation production. Prior to joining Urban Tech, Mr. Patches worked as a multimedia developer for an internet-based interactive educational software maker. Mr. Patches holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film and Video from California Institute of the Arts.

Bill Powers
Bill Powers is the co-writer and director of YLA's animated series, entitled On the Reel. In addition to overseeing the production of 13 episodes, Mr. Powers provides content for a battery of interactive games and exercises on the interface. Previously, he worked as a freelance journalist for the New York Times, from 1998 until 2001. His writing has also appeared in Vanity Fair, Details, Black Book and Nylon. Mr. Powers holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Fordham University.

Daniel Soto
Daniel Soto is YLA Systems Administrator for the APOLLO online administrative system. He also does technical support, including help desk duties, installation, repair, computer lab upgrades, training support, and curriculum, software, and website development. He attended New York University and has completed the Urban Tech's computer repair program. Mr. Soto is certified in A+ and Microsoft Word.

Germania Urena
Germania Urena, Systems Support Specialist, is an experienced hardware professional with knowledge of DOS and Windows operating systems. She has hands-on experience with assembly, troubleshooting, and repair of both personal and network computers. She provides support via Urban Tech's toll free 800 number and does onsite installations and training support. She has attended City College and has completed the Urban Tech's computer repair program. Ms. Urena is A+ certified, as well as Network + and Microsoft Word Expert certified.

Mary H. Williams
Mary Williams, Computer Curriculum Development Manager, is a PC software expert with over 27 years of experience with IBM. While at IBM, she held senior management positions in software development, education, and software quality assurance. Ms. Williams joined the Urban Tech as the Director of Program Services where she is responsible for the development of curriculum material. Ms. Williams has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Catholic University of America.