PRESIDENT
Mr. Elmo L Dinkins III – The founder of TLFP is a career technology professional and has 18 plus years in the field serving in various capacities. Since graduating from Cal State University, Fullerton with a B.Sc. in Computer Science and obtaining a slew of industry level certifications such as the CCIE-Written, CCNP, CCNA, MCSE, MCSA, Linux+ and other recognized technology certifications, Elmo has always held the ideal in his heart of going back to the environment where he grew up in Liberia, West Africa to create the kind of enabling learning environments he was privileged to experience here in the US. Elmo is a husband & father of two and in addition to his work as a Senior Network Architect, Elmo has embarked upon the mission of computer-based childhood education for K thru 12 students in economically disadvantaged third world communities, starting in Liberia.
SECRETARY
Mr. Thomas B. Nelson Jr. - A career business development, client engagement and research professional, with nearly 20 years experience in the financial services, information technology, and management consulting industries, Mr. Nelson is a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park (Bachelor of Arts, Government & Politics – Economics concentration ). His professional roles have included that of an investment advisor to high net worth individuals and families, a wholesaler of alternative assets, a business advisory & strategy consultant, and a marketer of web and infrastructure protection solutions to Fortune 1000 firms throughout the United States, dealing exclusively with C-level decision makers. Mr. Nelson is dedicated to the introduction and growth of STEM education in Liberia, as he believes that collectively Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics represent the best opportunity to narrow, and eventually close, the achievement gap that has persisted between the advanced countries and the developing world.
Board Member
Mr. Saah J. D. Kpakar - A skilled, educated and passionate professional in Finance, Marketing, Project Management and Business Administration, Mr. Saah J. D. Kpakar is committed to the goal of bridging the Digital Divide through education, STEM-based computer training and youth development. Saah has always strived to bring about positive and meaningful change to the less fortunate through his educational efforts and community involvement. A high school valedictorian (1999) and School President, Saah obtained his first B.A. degree in Accounting & Management in Liberia in 2009 and later a B.Sc. in Business Marketing in 2011 at the University of Minnesota along with an M.Ba. in Finance & an M.Sc. in Project Management. Saah comes to The Leap Forward Program with years of experience teaching in 3rd world communities such as Liberia, where he grew up, having seen first-hand the devastating effects of poverty and ignorance and its pervasive grip on the youth in these communities and has a passion for the mission of TLFP. Saah, a loving husband and father of two beautiful girls, lives in Minnesota and is an active and engaged participant in community activities and brings focus and experience to our core goals here at The Leap Forward Program.