TERRY TOPE, Director

Mr. Tope is an Electronics Engineering Manager for AT&T. He is primarily responsible for engineering installation, and maintenance of telecommunications equipment in 12 major AT&T wire centers in Northern California. He also manages capital projects totaling in the millions of dollars to build new remote terminals, broadband electronics systems, Optical (high bandwith) networks, U-Verse (television) equipment and high capacity circuits to service large businesses, local customer telephone areas, and major wireless company cell sites.

Before joining AT&T, Mr. Tope developed a very impressive resume that spanned more than 20 years. He served in the Unites States Navy from 1985-1989 as a Nuclear Submarine Navigator, Command Duty Officer, Operations Department Head, Senior Watch Officer, Overhaul Coordinator, Top Secret Control Officer, Staff Officer and Submarine Scheduler. There he planned deployment and training schedules, and supervised Operations Department, managed junior officer qualifications, training and schedules and supervised and scheduled operations for submarines deployed to the Western Pacific.

Mr. Tope also worked for the Mare Island naval Shipyard/Emergency Planning as a Nuclear Engineer and Radiological Emergency Planning Division Head. There he had a variety of responsibilities which included Managing the Radiological Emergency Planning Office, coordinated emergency plans with Federal, State, and Local government agencies, conducted major nuclear reactor and radiological accident excercises and drills, developed techincal radiological statements for release to the news and media, and certified and trained emergency response personnel. He also worked for SSPORTS Environmental Detachment as an Assistant Hazardous Substance Group Program Manager. There he facilitated hazardous waste management for Bay Area military facilities, managed numerous environmental projects for the Base Closures, and assessed impact of remediation plans and their compliance with Federal, State and Local requirements.

During roughly the same 20-year span as a professional and serving his country in the United States Navy, Mr. Tope also served his community. He currently is the Director of Administration Services for the General Assembly Churches of Alameda County. There he oversees all volunteer team members as well as disaster preparedness program, publication of the church phonebook, and many other miscellaneous programs. He is also responsible for all logistics for national church conventions in Vallejo, California and he directed the transition plan to support the opening of the new church in Union City, California. Outside of his administrative, organizational and leadership skills, Mr. Tope has also played a key role with their Youth Programs and the overall development of the youth throughout the organization.

He holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Auburn University and is a Qualified Nuclear Engineer in the United States Navy, Certified Hazardous Material Manager from the University of California at Davis, Certified Computer Network Adminstrator and Manger from the University of California at Davis, and received Department of Transportation Hazardous Material Training. In addition, Mr. Tope passed the Engineer in Training Exam and holds a Privte Pilot License. He was elected to our Board of Directors in 2007