Dan wampler

Executive Director

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Daniel "Dan" Wampler is the Executive Director of Genesys Works - Houston. Prior to joining Genesys Works, Dan held a variety of Senior leadership roles at Hewlett Packard, most recently serving as a VP and Area General Manager for the HP Technology Services organization with leadership responsibilities for the Western United States. Prior to HP, Dan held similar leadership roles at Xerox, Unisys and Compaq Computer. Dan's significant management experience has its foundation in a successful high tech start-up where his company grew from 0 to over $260 mil in revenues with offices in 17 US cities and offices throughout Europe, Latin America and the Pacific Rim.

Rita Ebach

Director of New Program Initiatives

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Rita's responsibilities include the development of pilot programs and curriculum. Rita joined Genesys Works as an AmeriCorps Vista volunteer and after her very successful one-year commitment she was offered permanent employment. Prior to joining Genesys Works in 2004, Rita worked for entrepreneurial companies in Austin and Eastern Europe. Rita holds a Bachelor's degree in international business from The University of Texas at Austin.

Randy Penn

Director of Development

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Randall "Randy" Penn is Director of Development for Genesys Works - Houston. Penn brings more than 15 years of philanthropic leadership experience to the organization. Most recently, he served as Executive Director of Development with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Prior to that, he was with the UT Medical Branch at Galveston and was, for 15 years, part of the leadership team at Houston Ballet. Penn holds an MBA in Marketing and Management from University of Cincinnati, where he began his non-profit career. He also earned Bachelor of Arts degrees from Auburn University and Birmingham-Southern College. He is a graduate of Leadership Houston, Class XXII.

Robert Shapley

Director of Programs

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Robert directs a team which ensures our partners are satisfied, and our interns are providing the highest level of customer service. Prior to joining Genesys Works in 2005, Robert was a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. He has worked as a network consultant and administrator. As a Microsoft Certified Trainer, Robert has trained Microsoft Official Curriculum to corporate clients, instructed at technical colleges, and also developed and implemented a new IT curriculum for a public school. Robert holds a Texas Teaching Certificate and taught computers and networking in a Texas public high school for 4 years. Robert holds a Bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in computer science from Texas Tech University.

Michelle Burgess

Program Manager

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Michelle Burgess currently serves as Program Manager for the Houston office assisting with projects including a mentoring program for 9th and 10th graders and student recruitment. Prior to joining the Houston office in this capacity, she has previously served as the National Project Manager coordinating special projects and Program Coordinator in Houston mentoring and training young professionals. Michelle joined Genesys Works because she has a true passion for education and seeing students pursue their professional and educational aspirations. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Texas A&M University.

Emily Darling

Program Coordinator

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Emily recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with Special Attainments in Commerce from Washington and Lee University. She is passionate about community engagement with economically disadvantaged youth and values her indisciplinary studies in Poverty and Human Capability and involvement in the Shepherd Poverty Program most. Emily's undergraduate education culminated with her being awarded an Elrod Fellowship for her dedication to public service and social issues related to poverty, bringing her to Houston where she joined Genesys Works in May 2011.

Lindsay Drummond

Program Coordinator

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Lindsay is currently a Program Coordinator for the Genesys Works - Houston office. She joined the team to continue her path assisting youth reach their full potential professionally and educationally. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University.Most recently, she was employed through Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center as a Section Coordinator in the Admissions office where she worked to support potential students in the application process. Prior to Texas Tech University, she worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lubbock as both an employee and volunteer. She was the Enrollment Specialist and a mentor to a child from the program for three years. 

Mike Escalante

Program Coordinator

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Mike has spent over 15 years as an independent Network Administrative Consultant to various corporate entities and 7 years in a variety of technological roles at a private post secondary institution, Microcomputer Technology Institute of Houston (MTI). He most recently served as Instructor of Network Architecture where he led, mentored and helped young adults achieve their technology certifications and A.O.S. degrees. Mike has earned his A.A.S. from San Jacinto College, and B.S. at the University of Phoenix-Houston, and graduated both degrees with Summa Cum Laude honors. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and is an inductee of the National Deans List.

Sophia Hinga

Program Coordinator

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Sophia Hinga joined Genesys Works because it truly aligns with her passions of empowering young people in their educational and professional endeavors, mentoring, managing and working with leaders in high schools, universities and corporations.

Most recently, she worked at Hewlett-Packard and held leadership positions in training, marketing and communications. Prior to her time at HP, she worked at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) where she designed the first online courses for the university and trained faculty, staff and students on extensively using computer-related technologies.

Sophia graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Technical Communication from UHD and earned her Masters of Science in Technology with a focus on Training and Development from the University of Houston-Central Campus.

Sophia joined Genesys Works in June 2010.

Pawn Kongkosonkichkan

Business Development Manager

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Pawn started her career with Genesys Works as a Program Manager mentoring two sets of interns before she was named Business Development Manager. As Houston's Business Development Manager Pawn gets to provide internships for young people who want to enter and thrive in the economic mainstream. Prior to joining the Genesys Works' team in August of 2009, she spent most of her career in corporate sales managing high profile accounts. In her personal time, she is a Big Sister through the United Way Big Brothers Big Sisters program and the Founder of a woman's networking organization in The Woodlands. Pawn holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and Human Resources from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Marie Locke

Program Coordinator

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Marie is a Program Coordinator who presently supervises 20-30 interns. She trains in professional skills, assists with college applications, and helps to place her young professionals in internships. In May 2011, Marie was awarded an Elrod Fellowship and graduated from Washington and Lee University with a major in German. At Washington and Lee, Marie volunteered at Campus Kitchens, where she prepared and delivered meals to homebound adults and needy children. She also was a participant in the Shepherd Poverty Program, which focused on the study of the causes and solutions to poverty in the United States. Marie loves to travel and has studied in Germany, Italy, England, France, and Holland. She has also studied in Tunisia and travelled extensively in the United States. Marie is excited to be a member of the Genesys Works staff and looks forward to her future with the organization.

Wendy Osborne

Program Coordinator

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Wendy has been with Genesys Works since 2009. Before joining the organization Wendy worked for a worldwide staffing agency. The thing she enjoys most about being a part of Genesys Works is helping students find their passion in life and seeing their transformations. Wendy has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Texas A&M University.

Angelia Risher

Administrative Assistant

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Angie began her time with Genesys Works in May 2010. As an original Houstonian, being raised in the Heights, she understands the hearts of our students and the struggles of rising above given circumstances; she is honored that her career has brought her full circle to an organization allowing her to give back to the same community hope and encouragement. Angie brings with her a strong background in managing corporate events and working one on one with high level executives. The jewels in her crown are her incredible two daughters and wonderful husband of thirty plus years.

Crystal Spencer

Program Coordinator

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Crystal facilitates professional skills training during an 8-week entry process into the corporate world for young professionals and then serves as a liaison between corporate supervisors and interns once young professionals are placed with clients. Crystal comes to the Genesys Works team in 2011 with many years of experience serving inner-city students through Young Life and Center for Student Missions. Crystal holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Washington and Lee University.

Michael Trabert

Program Coordinator

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Michael joined Genesys Works because he has a passion for education reform, service, and improving communities. Prior to Genesys Works, Michael was a National Teaching Fellow at Citizen Schools where he engaged more than 280 at-risk middle school students in hands-on learning experiences that culminated in a high quality product or performance. He also served as the Lead Volunteer Coordinator for Citizen Schools Texas, providing customer service to funders and clients. Michael has also been a Curriculum Specialist for the Greater Holyoke YMCA. Michael holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from University of Massachusetts and a Masters in Education from Lesley University.