It's a Girl! Welcome the Newest TechProse Arrival
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Elizabeth Riebli,
Jennifer and Dominic Riebli |
Jennifer Moore Reibli, a TechProse Project Manager, has a new and demanding project to manage: Elizabeth Reibli, born March 11, 7lbs, 12oz, and 20 inches long. Congratulations to Jennifer and Dominic!
TechProse Service Provider of the Year
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Neville Guard,
Benefits Access Insurance Services |
Finding a reasonable plan for our employees’ health insurance is always a problem for TechProse. As a company with fewer than 500 employees, we fall in the small group category, and often have to be very creative to find reasonable and comprehensive health care coverage.
Neville Guard, President of Benefits Access Insurance Services, has been helping us find the best coverage we can for the lowest cost.
Since 2003, when he first became the TechProse insurance broker, he has helped us design and administer TechProse health care coverage. His knowledge of the industry, the insurers, and the options available has helped us help all of those who want to participate.
Neville and his company provide both excellent overviews of our options, and ongoing individual support for claims issues.
For more information, see: http://www.forbenefits.com/
Opportunity Junction’s 24th Graduation Ceremony
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| OPTIC's 24th Graduating Class |
On December 20, 2007, Meryl Natchez, CEO of TechProse, spoke at Opportunity Junction’s 24th graduation ceremony in Antioch. The event was attended by graduates, their families, faculty, and community and business leaders.
Natchez was one of the founders of OPTIC, now Opportunity Junction. The group fights poverty by helping low-income Contra Costa residents learn current technology skills and gain confidence to support themselves and their families. TechProse continues to play an active role in this holistic program that changes people’s lives.
When Natchez took over as chair of the Contra Costa Council Technology Task Force in 1997, she saw a tremendous need for workers with strong technology and workplace skills. Around the same time, Welfare Reform mandated that many single mothers move from welfare to full-time employment. Natchez organized a collaboration of private sector, government, and education professionals to develop a Job Training and Placement Program based on best practices in workforce development, with a focus on computer skills. With the support of Contra Costa County, the group launched its first training program in 2000.
At Opportunity Junction, technology, literacy and personal development combine with real world experience to put people on the road to economic self-sufficiency. Now in its seventh year, this organization has graduated over 100 participants, and has added an evening program, and provides continuing support to graduates through alumni and mentoring programs.
TechProse Volunteer Activities
Dawn Clark, a TechProse Senior Project Manager, has been asked to serve as head coach for the Harker School’s varsity lacrosse team.
This is the first time the San Jose college preparatory high school will offer lacrosse as a varsity sport.
The Harker Eagles’ lacrosse season starts in February and their first game will be held April 1. The team will play other public and private schools on the Peninsula and San Jose areas. Clark says she plans to talk to the girls when they meet in January about “stepping it up a notch.” Competing at a varsity level will require a more rigorous training regimen, which Clark says will begin with running a timed mile.
Clark, former coach of the San Jose Extreme, says coaching the Eagles will be a five-day-a-week commitment. TechProse CEO Meryl Natchez and President Steven Laine have been very supportive, and have given her the flexibility she needs to work and serve in the community as a mentor.
To learn more about the Harker School, visit their web site at www.harker.org
Meryl Natchez, TechProse CEO, was a founder of OPTIC, now Opportunity Junction, an organization that fights poverty by helping low-income Contra Costa residents learn current technology skills and gain confidence to support themselves and their families.
When Natchez took over as chair of the Contra Costa Council Technology Task Force in 1997, she saw a tremendous need for workers with strong technology and workplace skills. Around the same time, Welfare Reform mandated that many single mothers move from welfare to full-time employment. Natchez organized a collaboration of private sector, government, and education professionals to develop a Job Training and Placement Program based on best practices in workforce development, with a focus on computer skills. With the support of Contra Costa County, the group launched its first training program in 2000.
At Opportunity Junction, technology, literacy and personal development combine with real world experience to put people on the road to economic self-sufficiency. Now in its seventh year, this organization has graduated over 100 participants, and has added an evening program, and provides continuing support to graduates through alumni and mentoring programs.
Steven Laine Returns to TechProse as President of the Company
TechProse is pleased to announce that Steven Laine has returned as president of the company.
Laine’s return in February could not have been more perfectly timed. The economy is active and more companies have discovered the value and return on investment TechProse brings to technical writing, training, and change management projects. With more than 20 years in the consulting industry, Laine is a major addition to the TechProse management team. We are delighted to welcome him back.
TechProse Opens Practice to Help Clients with Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance
In the wake of recent financial scandals, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires public companies to validate the accuracy and integrity of their financial management. The process documentation and testing required for compliance are rigorous; companies must have established procedures for meeting their reporting obligations, and CEOs and CFOs must personally certify that their companies' statements are complete and accurate. TechProse can help you meet your compliance deadlines! For our clients who are looking for help in their efforts to become SOX compliant, and want to learn about our SOX Practice, please contact us for more information.
If you have an interest in joining our SOX Solutions team, take a look at our Open Positions for specific skill and experience profiles, and let us hear from you!
New BART Ticket Device Wins Praise
Concord First Station to Get Friendlier ATM-like Machine
CUBIC, a strategic partner of TechProse, has developed new ticket machines for BART, which resemble automatic teller machines with color screens that display step-by-step instructions and choices. TechProse has been doing the training on these new fare gates and ticket vending machines.
Congratulations Cubic! It is an honor to work with you.
TechProse Develops Virtual Tour for San Francisco Maritime Museum
The San Francisco Maritime Museum had TechProse develop a virtual tour of the Maritime National Historical Park, making it possible for those who may not be able to board the ships to "look around."
Valued TechProse Service Provider
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Jim Gebhardt,
Gebhardt Group |
Every day, many people provide a variety of services that help TechProse serve both our clients and consultants. These range from the janitorial staff who clean our offices every night to the delivery service personnel who make sure proposals and packages arrive on time, to the payroll and banking services that help get payments out accurately on a regular basis.
This year, we want to give special recognition to a service provider who assists our owners, staff, and W2 consultants with 401(k) planning and investment management, Jim Gebhardt of the Gebhardt Group. Jim opened an individual practice in 2005, after 10 years of working for major brokerage firms. As a certified planner who manages his own firm, Jim gives a level of focused, unbiased customer service that is far above what TechProse experienced from the previous manager of our 401(k) plan.
Jim believes that the concept of investment risk is different for every person and budget, and he takes special care to make a complex topic clear and easy to understand. He handles each portfolio on a case-by-case basis. Jim has no pre-conceived ideas, but customizes each investment plan to fit the individual client.
"I equate the willingness to take risk with the speed at which you drive," Jim says. "Do you always drive 80 miles an hour? If so, you're likely to take more risk when investing."
Jim has also been extremely valuable as a planning resource for the TechProse Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP). He understands the complexities of ESOPs, and helps ensure that every member of the TechProse team-whether a full-time or hourly employee-gets maximum value from of their association with TechProse.
Jim is generous with his time, and is always willing to discuss either individual or corporate investment strategy. For more information, see: http://www.gebhardtgroupinc.com/new/gebhardtgroupinc/default.asp
Valued TechProse Service Provider
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Jeremy Barcan,
Bridge Travel |
Every day, many people provide a variety of services that help TechProse serve both our clients and consultants. These range from the janitorial staff who clean our offices every night to the overnight delivery service personnel who make sure proposals and packages arrive on time to the payroll and banking services that help get payments out accurately and on time on a regular basis.
We want to give special recognition to a service provider who goes the extra mile to give extraordinary service, Jeremy Barcan of Bridge Travel. While the Internet has made it easier to book online, it can't compete with the miracles Jeremy works for us on complex domestic travel. We have clients around the country, and itineraries for instructors and project staff can be complex. They often change at the last minute. For example, Jennifer Moore, a Project Manager, received notice on Wednesday that she was needed for a presentation in Chicago Friday morning. She was already scheduled to fly into Washington DC on Tuesday and Atlanta on Wednesday of the following week. Jeremy was able to insert the trip to Chicago, allowing Jennifer to fly on to the East Coast for her meetings, for less than $100 in additional fees. And this is just one example of the many we could cite. Jeremy's thorough knowledge of airline regulations and schedules, plus his willingness to work with us to accommodate our travel needs has made him a Valued TechProse Service Provider.
We thank him and Bridge Travel for helping us meet our goal of exceptional customer service.
San Ramon Chamber of Commerce Women’s Networking Luncheon
TechProse CEO Meryl Natchez speaks to Kathy Gailey of the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce during the Women’s Networking Luncheon on June 26. Natchez presented her ideas on how technology changes the way we work – and network – and covered some of the ways companies use technology to increase business. About 50 business leaders attended the event held at Crow Canyon Country Club in San Ramon.
TechProse and Siemens Holiday Lunch
TechProse is pleased to feature our team of New York City consultants working at Siemens Transportation Systems, just North of Penn Station in Manhattan. The following is a photograph of our holiday lunch: Clockwise from the front left are: Ilya Gindis, Dennis Douglas, Richie Kline, Meryl Natchez, Joe Argiro, Mary Jessiman, Chris Ramirez, and Sally Park, Siemens Account Manager.
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| TechProse Siemens Transportation Systems Team |
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