Hank Valentine - Promoter/CEO

H. (Hank) Harrison Valentine is Promoter and CEO of the HBCU/MI Project Office (HPO), formerly the HBCU/MI Research Alliance (HMIRA), founder of the HHV Group, and Senior Research Fellow, Office of the Provost at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina. Hank applied for and was granted early retirement after 20-plus years of service with the IBM Corporation where he held several management positions in various Research and Development divisions. In addition to his managerial responsibilities, Hank held the following positions and made significant accomplishments which prepared him for his role within the HPO. These experience included but are not limited to Adjunct Visiting Scientist and Adjunct Professor for multiple universities, Executive Director for the Advanced Distributed Simulation Research Consortium (ADSRC), Chief Technical Staffer – Assigned to the IBM-Germany’s European Team as the Voice & Data Integration Program, and  Software Systems Architect, Designer, and Program Manager  with IBM Development Labs. It is this experience which has positioned Hank to lead the HPO to its now current position as a leading arbitrator between educational institutions and businesses both small and large. After retiring from IBM and an international assignment to help architect the Eurocontrol’s Air Traffic Services modernization program entitled “Enhanced Air Traffic Management and Mode S Implementation in Europe (EASIE) Communication and Router,” Hank embarked on his personal mission to help minority students develop the skills necessary for engaging in business effectively with industries and in communicating with a diverse work force. His organization, the HPO, places students and faculty in a working and learning environment with leading scientists, researchers, and corporate executives and, supports on-campus employment for research and development projects.

Benjamin Speller - Director/Business and Contracts Affairs

Benjamin Speller is currently Senior Research Fellow, Office of the Provost, and Project Director of the Rapid Response Project at NCCU, 2004-date   Dr. Speller was Dean and Professor, School of Library and Information Sciences from 1983-2003 His teaching and research areas were conceptual knowledge processing, information systems policy, management, systems analysis, and research methods. While serving as dean and professor in the School of Library and Information Sciences, he also served on an interim basis as Director of Sponsored Research, interim director of administrative data processing, and director of strategic planning for the Division of Academic Affairs. Before coming to NCCU, Dr. Speller was Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (Academic Planning, Budgeting Officer, Contracts and Grants Officer, Accreditation Director), 1973-1976 at Elizabeth City State University; and Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Institutional Studies (University Planning, Assessment, and Select Institutional Research Projects, Accreditation Director), 1969-1973 at Elizabeth City State University.