Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Pamela J. Silvers is Department Chairperson of the Business Computer Technologies department . In addition to training students in the use of computer hardware and software, she has over 20 years of experience in training professionals on a wide variety of topics including Internet services, web page design, virus protection and security, and using different application packages.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and her Master of Arts in Education (specializing in Computer Information Systems) from Western Carolina University.

In recognition of her teaching skills Silvers has been selected as Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year and Faculty Member of the Year at A-B Tech as well as being recognized as one of five finalists for the North Carolina Excellence in Teaching Award. She has also received the Southern Region Faculty Member of the Year award from Association of Community College Trustees, the Innovative Educator Award from the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, and Excellence in Public Service award from the State of North Carolina.

 

Information to be added...

Jonathan Ross is the lead instructor for the Digital Media Technologies program. Having a background in music, Jonathan received a BM in Vocal Performance from James Madison University, and then a MM in Opera Performance from Binghamton University in upstate NY. Jonathan has sung leading roles with a number of opera companies, and sings with the Asheville Lyric Opera on occasion. He also serves as a section leader and soloist at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Asheville.

Jonathan found out a long time ago that opera was not the most lucrative career, and started working with computer graphics as side career. This career soon took over and Jonathan found himself working first as a graphic designer and then moved into corporate video/animation. At Eagle, Jonathan first started as a motion graphics designer, but quickly found out how fast the digital media career was exploding. Jonathan found immersed in graphic design, web design, CDROM development, DVD development, motion graphics, compositing, and production management.

In 2002, Jonathan moved to Asheville to become the project Director for the Digital Media Institute at Blue Ridge Community College. In 2004, he came to A-B Tech to teach the newly started Digital Media Technologies program. While at A-B Tech, Jonathan has received the Adobe Certified Associate certifications (ACA) in Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Flash. He has presented on digital media and related topics at a number of conferences, and constantly has to update his knowledge and skills as new software comes out. Right now, he is especially excited about learning the Adobe CS4 suite!

Alec Fehl received a bachelor's of music degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, with a major in Music Production and Engineering and a minor in Guitar Performance. After a short time working at a Los Angeles recording studio, he went on to teach middle school math in Los Angeles for ten years while trying to score a record deal and gigging around town. After moving to Asheville in 1998, Alec left public school education to pursue information technology.

Over the years he has earned several industry standard certifications, including Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), CompTIA A+, Adobe Certified Expert (ACE), and Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI). Since the early 1990s Alec has worked as a freelance computer consultant and web application developer specializing in PHP/MySQL. He taught as an adjunct instructor for A-B Tech for several years and was named the Adjunct Instructor of the Year 2007, the same year he received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Award of Excellence.

He joined A-B Tech as a full time instructor in 2008. In addition to teaching, Alec writes computer textbooks and has published with Labyrinth Learning, EMC Paradigm, and McGraw-Hill. In his spare time Alec likes to fold complex origami and plays guitar in a blues/guitar legend band.

My background started in art. I received a BFA from Michigan State University specializing in two areas: photography and ceramics. After working a in a few museums and art galleries I decided to play in a rock band and make a living by working as a carpenter. This didn't pan out (bands seldom do). It was in the early 1990s that I decided to change gears. I had given up on carpentry, no longer played in a band and took up the accordion as a hobby.

During this time I started working in a computer lab at the University of Minnesota.While I was there I enrolled in the MS in software engineering program at the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul) where I completed the degree in 1998. By 1990, My wife and I had lived in Minneapolis for nine years and we wanted to move to a much smaller city. Asheville was a perfect fit. Since living here I've taught as an adjunct instructor at UNCA an WCU and eventually found my way to ABTech. I've been  teaching in the Web Technologies program at ABTech for the last three years. The changing nature of technology keeps each term new and exciting. I like that.

-Charlie

Here's some basic information about me. I have an Associate Degree in Computer Programming from Blue Ridge Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education (of all things) from a teacher's college in New Jersey where I was born and raised (I can teach a great third grade class!), a Master's Degree in Technology from Western Carolina University, and I finally completed my Doctorate Degree from NC State in Adult and Community College Education in 2006. (Many students call me "Dr. D")

I love teaching and have taught elementary, middle school, and high school classes but really enjoy teaching at the community college level where I have taught at A-B Tech since 1995. I am also co-adviser for A-B Tech’s chapter of Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) since 1996 and have been the PBL State Awards Program Director since 2006.
In my spare time I volunteer for the national park system and at the Historic Johnson Farm in Henderson County as a docent. I also enjoy quilting, cross-stitching, traveling, photography, and visiting national parks.

Veronica Dooly has three Associates Degrees from Haywood Community College in Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, and an Associates of Art. Her Bachelor’s Degree is from King College in Bristol, TN in Business Administration concentrating in Information Systems. She completed a Master’s online from the University of Maryland University College in Accounting and Information Technology. She is currently working on a Doctorate online from Capella University in Information Technology.

Veronica teaches computer classes from Intro to advanced software courses. She is a primary instructor for computer courses taught in high school classes. In addition, she is the lead advisor for Phi Theta Kappa and a professional division member for Phi Beta Lambda. She is also a Girl Scout leader.

What little spare time she has is occupied with travel, walking, and reading.

EDUCATION:

• Western Carolina University
  M.Ed - Education and Computer Technology McDowell Technical Community College
• Gardner-Webb University
  BS - Business Administration
• McDowell Technical Community College
  AAS - Office Systems Technology

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

• 18-years teaching experience in Computer Information Technology
• 2002 through present Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College
• Distance Learning and traditional seated class environment instructor.

I have a unique respect for the NC Community College system in that every degree I have been awarded the community college has been part of. My first degree is from MTCC, GWU and WCU held its classes on a community college campus making it possible for me to pursue higher education.

EDUCATION:

• Harrison Chilhowee Baptist Academy 1963
• BS Computer Science, N. C. State University 1974
• MBA, UNC-Chapel Hill 1976
• Ed.D., East Tennessee State University 1999

WORK HISTORY:

• 1963 – 1970 US Navy, Data Systems Technician—Repaired computer controlled Radar display systems
• 1976 – 1986 Taylor Instrument, Kellwood, Schwitzer—Programmer, systems analyst, Mgr. (Customer service, shipping and receiving)
• 1987 – Present - AB Tech—Instructor, Computer Technology

Community Involvement:

• Avery’s Creek Community Club
• Skyland Fire Department
• Avery’s Creek United Methodist Church

EDUCATION:

• BA, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
• MBA, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH

TEACHING:
Instructor, Business Computer Technologies Department, A-B Tech—Currently or have taught Intro to Computers, Tech Support, Spreadsheet, Trends in Technology, Professional Practices in IT, and, while an adjunct, Medical Billing and Coding; Assistant Professor, J. Warren McClure School of Communication Systems Management, Ohio University ,Athens, Ohio--taught Intro to Telecommunications, Telecommunications Project Management, Data Communications, Advanced Data Communications

IT INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE:

ADMINISTRATIVE: Over 20 years in the telecommunications industry primarily as Director of Telecommunications (responsible for voice, video and data communications and infrastructure supporting all technologies) at several universities: East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN; Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY; California State University-Long Beach, CA and Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
CONSULTING: Consulted with White’s Information Systems (while employed at Cleveland State University) to perform system design and analysis for the City Council of Cleveland, Ohio to computerize their legislative system and for the State of Ohio Attorney General’s Office to develop their computerized odometer fraud detection system. Owner, Larsen Information Technologies (while employed at Ohio University) to consult with a variety of clients, including the City of Cleveland’s Telecommunications Department , The Timken Corporation, Canton, OH. etc.
IT SUPPORT: Customer Service Representative, The Electronic Office, Asheville, NC—Planned and coordinated quarterly Technology Presentation Events held in Asheville and Hickory, NC, incl. working with various vendors (Cisco, Microsoft , Bell South, Citrix, etc) who co-sponsored and also presented; developed quotations related to computer and network systems, acted as an agent for Bell South ; provided support to outside sales staff; Data Communications Analyst , Fortune 200 company Parker Hannifin, Cleveland, OH, performed project management and feasibility studies to adopt new telecommunications-related technologies, products and services; interfaced with divisions regarding telecommunications-related products and services.

IT PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

• Member, NCCIA (North Carolina Computer Instructors Association)--current
• Member, Carolina IT Professionals Group—current
  
• Past--Member & Editor, MOTA (Michigan-Ohio Telecommunications Administrators) NEWSLETTER
  
• Past--Member & Editor, ACUTA (Association of College & University Telecommunications Administrator) NEWSLETTER
• Past--Region 3 Director, ACUTA
• Past--Founder, Higher Education, Northern Telecom PBX Users Group
• Past--Founder, Higher Education, Intecom PBX Users Group

Information to be added...

Educational Background:
Western Carolina University - BS in Business Education
Appalachian State University - MA in Educational Media/Instructional Technology

I have been at AB Tech for 10 years. During this time, I have been active in many different areas of the school. I enjoy teaching because I enjoy learning - since I work in the technology field, I have the opportunity to teach others as well as continue learning for myself.