Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
21 STEM ADVISORY BOARD
Leslie Wilkins
Advisory Board Member
Leslie Wilkins serves as vice president for the Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. (MEDB). Wilkins joined MEDB in 1999 to launch its Women in Technology Project and in June 2000 she was elected by MEDB’s Board of Directors to the position of vice president.
Wilkins continues to direct the Women in Technology (WIT) Project which has grown from a Maui pilot to a national demonstration project, funded in part by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Education and Agriculture. The program serves a statewide constituency of more than 5,000 students, teachers, and industry members each year, including administering regional partnerships.
The program designed to recruit and retain girls/women and under represented groups into the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) pipeline has garnered ‘best practices” recognition and received a 2005 International Economic Development Council multi-year performance award. WIT has published more than a dozen papers in academic and education association conference proceedings.
Alvin J. Alexander II
Advisory Board Member
Alvin J. Alexander II, is a combat veteran with over 22 years of service in the United States Army, and currently holds the rank of Major in the U.S. Army Reserves. In 2013, he founded Orion Applied Science & Technology, LLC for the purpose of pioneering an industry dedicated to remediation and mitigation of orbital debris, with a secondary goal of orbital asset protection and recovery. He has worked on a number of key Department of Defense acquisition programs as systems engineer where he advised senior program managers and key leaders as to best practices for system development.
Most notable, his work in support to the F-35, Joint Strike Fighter program office pioneered efforts for data and sensor integration. Alvin maintains a broad experience base of advance sensor phenomenology, and application, which led directly to his selection as the lead engineer on multi-million dollar projects supporting the “warfighter” in ongoing theaters of operation. Alvin is a Master of Science Candidate at Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering, and possess a Bachelors of Arts in Aviation, from The Ohio State University.
Will Gorham
Advisory Board Member
Will Gorham has devoted much of his life to public service. He served in the U.S. Navy as an Intelligence officer for over twenty years. Following retirement, he worked as a senior systems Engineer for Northrop Grumman Aerospace assisting commercial satellite providers in supporting international disaster relief efforts and national security.
Will has always felt the need to contribute to the improvement of educational opportunities in underserved communities. He holds several US patents and lectures students on the process of innovation in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It was this experience that led him to create The Vector Scholar Initiative, a program which helps communities develop STEM workforce readiness skills and internships for underserved, high potential students.
Will Gorham earned a B.S. from Florida A&M University, M.S. in Management of IT from the University of Virginia, M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He is a graduate of the Georgetown University Executive International Business Program and holds a Certificate in Management Development from Cornell University.
Norris L. Tucker
Advisory Board Member
Norris L Tucker is a former United States Marine serving in the Gulf War - Operation Desert Storm. Following his discharge after serving 13 years in the marines, Norris began a career working in the entertainment industry which included film, television and live entertainment that has spanned over twenty years.
Currently, Norris serves as the Tour Manager and Media Director for Chris Tucker Enterprises, LLC while also serving as a board member and Vice President of the Board for the Chris Tucker Foundation. As Vice President, Norris believes strongly in the organization’s mission, which is “to make a positive impact on youth and families locally, nationally and internationally through implementing innovative initiatives and funding life-changing programs.”
Norris L. Tucker is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and holds a Bachelors of Information Technology from American Intercontinental University. His passion for promoting and inspiring the youth, especially those in underserved communities, is the driving force behind his work as an advocate for creating and providing access to educational opportunities, especially in STE[A]M related careers.
