Our History

The Black Diamond Foundation was founded by Bernie and Cyndi Tacito, the daughter of a Navy veteran. The two launched the now defunct BacPac for Kids Program to provide school supplies to area children. When a friend’s son was injured in Iraq, they started the Veterans Program to train returning soldiers in project management. The program helps soldiers set goals and make the transition to civilian life.

Our current veterans program trains veterans in project management. This course teaches the students the tools and techniques that team members need to be successful. It is great therapy for recovering soldiers, helping them set goals for their transition to civilian life. Spring 2022 was our 16th Session.

Our program has been focused in Chicago, IL. with the partnership and volunteers of the Chicagoland Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI®) and IIT Stuart School of Business. With Covid we had to get good at conducting class over Zoom, developing capability to scale geographically. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All our board members, instructors and executive sponsors are volunteers and not compensated.

This is our dedicated team of volunteer board members and instructors.

Every board member also serves as an instructor, and every instructor holds PMP® certification.

We are 100% volunteers - no one receives compensation for their work.

LEE HENSEL, PMP
lead instructor

US Army, RETIRED

I volunteered for the BDC/PMI Veteran's PM Class because I am a retired Army veteran that wants to help my fellow veterans in the challenge of transition and their (and many times their family’s) "new life". I/we had challenges and one of the ways that I dealt with them was by getting my PMP. Veterans learn to lead people and manage things; a very important perspective that is needed in the commercial business cultures. This training helps the veteran to translate their leadership/management experience into terms and processes that are understood by companies and the communities.

Bill Baxter, PMP

course program manager and instructor

Grateful for the all-volunteer military we have in the US, I feel an urge to demonstrate my gratitude with concrete action, delivering value to those veterans I am able to help.  Aware of challenges involved in transition to a civilian career, I wish to help veterans overcome those challenges.  Seeing positive outcomes -- and feeling I played a part -- is very rewarding.  Then, too... I always enjoy hearing their stories.

 

gerald minZey, PMP®

instructor and board member

US ARMY

Gerald Minzey has 20 years experience as a consultant in Information Technology specializing in Software Development, Technical Project Management, Business Intelligence, and Sustainability.

He is a U.S.Army veteran with 20+ years in both active and reserve components. His career has encompassed Special Operations, Intelligence and Psycological Operations.  Affiliations include
• National Intelligence Agencies: NSA, CIA, DIA, DEA
• Tactical Intelligence Agencies: 319th MI BN, 224th MI BN, 525th MI BDE
• Special Operations Agencies: 5th SFGA, 12th SFGA, USASFC, SOCCENT


Gerald is a graduate of Illinois Institute of Technology where he received his MBA with an emphasis in Sustainable Enterprise. He also holds degrees in Computers, Management, Administration, Intelligence Operations and Mechatronics.

 

Ken Rhodes, pmp®

instructor and course administrator

A 15-year career in the Navy’s nuclear power program provided multiple opportunities to learn and apply project management skills. Whether the task was as complex as overhauling a nuclear reactor plant or more mundane as painting out a compartment, the application of scope, budget, and scheduling was required to succeed.

These skills carried over into a 25-year career in software development and information systems project management. As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with an MS in ITPM from Purdue University, it is an honor to help other veterans learn how to explore and apply their potential.

 

Tom Carlson, Pe, PMP

Instructor and Board Member

During my 30+ years of experience, I have held various roles in project management, design, construction, manufacturing, maintenance, and facility management. I am a certified Project Manager (PMP) and a registered Professional Engineer (PE) with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. I volunteer as an instructor to give something back to our veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. It is my way to thank them for their service, and to honor the veterans in my family, including my father. By sharing my experiences and knowledge in this program, I hope it will help the veteran students in the civilian world. Everyone manages projects throughout their life, both professionally and personally. When you understand the principles of project management and how to apply them, it is amazing what you can accomplish.

Terry Radtke-LaCandia, PMP®

instructor and board member

I have been involved in the BDC Veteran PM training classes since January 2015.  As a military “brat” I witnessed the veterans in my life struggle to translate their military experience and careers into the civilian world and find immense pleasure in giving back to the veterans, especially those in transition.

I was exposed to project management growing up in a military family and found a natural inclination to the processes and methodologies when working on a post 9/11 project for the TSA re-framing effort in 2002. My career has been within the retail industry with roles spanning across business and IT PMOs in supply chain and workforce management, new business development, turnarounds, inventory management and controls, service management and reporting arenas. I am interested in international project management instruction and recently became TESOL certified.
 

 

Anthony L. Costello (Tony), PMP®

instructor and board member

US Army

I was in uniform for over 21 years serving our country. While serving, I had the opportunity to earn multiple degrees, and qualify for my Project Management Professional certification. In the Army I built base camps for the Iraqi Police in Mosul, Iraq; I removed base camps in Wardak and Logar Provinces in Afghanistan; and finally, I built Ebola Treatment Units throughout the jungles of Liberia. I share a kinship with all the other veterans of the country no matter the era and want to do all that I can so that they can have the same opportunities that I had. When I first started working for my current civilian job, I was surrounded by very few veterans. I derive great satisfaction from sharing my stories and knowledge of the project management world I experienced while I was in the Army. Airborne!

 

Paula M. UsciaN, PMP

INSTRUCTOR

I am grateful that the women and men in the armed forces are willing to go into harm’s way to help preserve our way of life. Participating in this program, while it cannot compare to their sacrifice, is my humble way of thanking these folks for their service.

Emmem Ekorikoh, PMP®, CSM, LSSGB, ITIL, MSMIS/MPH

instructor and board member

I chose to volunteer with Black Diamond Charities because I believe in their mission and believe that the PMP certification can open doors and create opportunities for anyone who is passionate about project management, helping others, and creating solutions. The beauty of the certification is that it can be used across disciplines, can be used as a stepping stone in your career, or to enhance an existing skill set.

During my career and preparation for the exam, I have met great people who have provided me with guidance, support, and advance within my career. The best way to thank all of the individuals who assisted me in my journey is to ‘pay it forward’ by assisting others in their goal to get certified. 

 

Ira M. Hendon, MBA, PMP, CSM

Instructor and board member

Whether coaching others through the PMI Chicagoland Chapter Mentor program, Black Diamond Charities (BDC), individual relationships, or during client engagements, I find helping others grow professionally to be extremely rewarding.I learned about the BDC/PMI Chicagoland Chapter partnership through Bill Baxter at a PMI Chicagoland Chapter Dinner meeting.  I thought I would give it a try.After two evolutions of classes, I have found the experience 2nd to none. I am very proud of our veterans and if in some small way I can assist with their transition from Active Duty to Civilian life, I am all in.

 

Joeseph Case, PMP 

Instructor

As a retired Naval officer, I knew I wanted project and program management as my follow on career.  But when I was transitioning, I had to stumble along and “find my own way” towards PMI and my PMP certification. I didn’t know of any of the fantastic programs, like Black Diamond Charities, that were out there to help people like me.  When Bill Baxter introduced me to BDC and offered me the opportunity to be a part of transitioning Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and their families, I was all too excited to say yes. I am proud to be a part of this team as we help our transitioning heroes and their families prepare PMP certification and a future in project and program management. 

 

Antuanet Sanchez, PMP, LSSGB, CSM

Instructor

I am very grateful to be part of Black Diamond Charities.  The work done behind the scenes to bring this world class training is simply priceless.  Bringing together a dedicated group of professionals who are passionate about the Project Management career and who are ready to share their experience and knowledge but first and foremost who are ready to inspire others.  That is why it makes this place unique and I am very honored to be part of this phenomenal group. When I had the opportunity to become part of the team as an instructor I knew in a heartbeat that I wanted to contributing to the BDC mission. 

I am very thankful for this opportunity of touching different lives in each session, and helping them transition to the civil life, through the project management profession, is just as rewarding as another way of saying "thank you" for what they have done for us. 

david silbaugh, pmp®, csm

Instructor

Hands-on and process-driven program manager with significant experience in operations, strategic planning, requirements definition, program management, and leading multi-faceted, multi-organizational teams. As a retired Army Colonel, I adapt quickly to situations, know how to prioritize resources in constrained environments, and excel at keeping teams engaged, motivated, and focused on the organization's objectives.

I have led large multi-disciplined teams, made up of both military personnel and civilian contractors, and managed the end-to-end development of the program life cycle for multiple multi-million dollar, complex, and unique programs.

I possess a proactive leadership style and throughout my career have a history of managing multiple projects simultaneously, driving complicated issues to closure, and identifying innovative and creative initiatives to positively impact the organization. I help make strategic security goals a reality.

Tracy (TJ) Miller, PMP

instructor

I am honored to be involved in the Black Diamond Charities Project Management Fundamentals Course for two years. I was looking for a volunteer opportunity and couldn’t have found a better one. Each class has been very interactive, with thoughtful and insightful questions. The Board takes an interest in re-evaluating the program criteria based on the suggestions from the military veterans. Graduates have a strong foundation should they choose to prepare for the Project Manager Professional (PMP) certification. I have learned a lot from class participants and have used some of their feedback in my personal project management practice.

mathew “mat” Cervantes, pmp®

instructor

23 years combined experience as a Project, Program, Portfolio and Information Manager in IT, Telecom systems, and cyber security operations as a supervisor, manager, and technician in a wide range of federal government positions as a US Department of Agriculture, Department of the Army, Air Force, and Navy civil servant, retired US Army senior leader, consultant, and a defense contractor.

My assignments have afforded me the opportunity to operate on executive CIO staffs and Network Enterprise Centers (NEC) as an IT supervisor, Project/Program/Portfolio Manager, Enterprise Architect, Contract Technical Representative, Systems Administrator, Cyber Security Manager, Change Managers, and a Telecommunications Operations Chief.

Graduated with honors: UC Berkeley Project Management Program, 4.0 GPA. Ten IT, Project, Service Management, and Instructor certifications.

Operations locations: Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Sierra Leon, Kuwait, Italy, Germany, England, Tunisia, Romania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, and Azerbaijan.

Scott Cosgrove, PMP

Instructor

I left active duty military service in 1995, after a ten-year adventure with the US Navy. In my final active duty role as an engineering instructor, I discovered how rewarding teaching and mentoring was to me. I’m excited to be able share my knowledge and experience with fellow veterans through Black Diamond Charities.

When I separated in 1995, there were no similar programs to guide me into my career as a project manager. Like many veterans, I more-or-less blindly felt my way along until discovering PMI and eventually obtaining a PMP credential in 2009. I have been fortunate enough to make a 25-year career in Engineering and Construction Project Management with the same organization, starting at entry level and gradually progressing to my current role as President. Along the path, I acquired a BS in Business with a concentration in Project Management and have been fortunate enough to be able to routinely attend Project Management conferences throughout the country.

I learned of the opportunity to teach Project Management Best Practices with Black Diamond Charities at a PMI Chicagoland Chapter event in 2019. I was excited because my experience seemed to be a perfect fit. I met with Bill Baxter a month later and the rest is history. I’m thankful for this opportunity because nothing is as rewarding as being able to pay it forward.

 
 

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