Urban Alliance Board of Directors

As Executive Director for the CT State Commission for Educational Technology (CET), Doug designs and manages strategic plans that ensure the successful integration of technology in Connecticut’s schools, libraries, universities, and towns. The CET oversees statewide programs such as its flagship research and education broadband network, the CEN.

Doug’s prior experience includes managing technology and security for a network of magnet schools that are helping to close the achievement gap between urban and suburban learners. He began his career as a middle school English teacher and brings a diversity of experience to every challenge — from managing online publications for the Smithsonian Institution to systems engineering for the U.S. House of Representatives and national security agencies. He holds a BA from the College of William & Mary, MA from Georgetown University, and MS from George Washington University. Doug has  been involved with Urban Alliance for may years, including as a volunteer. Outside of work, Doug enjoys time with family, mission work, and triathlon.

Erica serves as Sr. Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Comcast Cable, which employs 2,000 individuals and serves more than 800,000 customers in over 300 communities in CT, NY, VT, western MA and western NH. In this role she is a strategic business partner to the leadership within the Customer Care and Inbound Sales organizations. Erica works with these teams to institute the best possible organizational design and delivery, with ultimate responsibility for translating business needs into HR policies and practices. She attended the Pennsylvania State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Management Science and Information Systems, her Graduate Certificate in Industrial Relations and Human Resources, and her Master’s degree in Industrial Relations and Human Resources. Erica also loves to dance, plays the clarinet and is a self-proclaimed huge Steelers fan.

Anne is married and a retired mother of two adult daughters, one of whom is a teaching pastor in NYC and the other about to go out on her second overseas tour with the federal government. She and her husband recently became grandparents as well. Anne earned an MBA in Finance (1980) at The Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania) and a BA in English (1975) from Duke University. Her work experience includes managing and negotiating direct equity participations as well as private and public bond offerings for Aetna and its oil and gas subsidiary (1980-1983), supervising claims and issuing policies for the National Flood Insurers Association (1975-1978), and serving as a senior branch administrator for Edward Jones, a national financial planning firm (2010-2019). She is currently the Prayer Chair for the Hartford area Community Bible Study class and has served on several committees at Valley Community Baptist Church, where she and her husband have attended for 42 years.

Rev. Dr. Michael David Bailey is the Co-Pastor of The First Cathedral. He is a creative leader and a critical and strategic thinker. He also is a prolific preacher and a cultural trendsetter for this generation. Doctor Bailey accepted a call to ministry and was ordained by the age of 19. At First Cathedral, he served as the Youth Pastor and Youth Director before becoming the Co-Pastor at the age of 31. Pastor Bailey not only has a high regard for the ministry but also a commitment to education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. Pastor Bailey is also a philanthropist. He believes in contributing to the external community and the city at large he serves. For his philanthropic work, he has received city citations and proclamations being recognized in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Also, he has received many awards including Manchester Community College’s Black History Community Award and 100 Men of Color recognizing the contribution of men of color in business, education, entrepreneurship, government, service and the impact they have made in the lives of people throughout the State of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts communities. He serves globally as an Advisory Council Member for the Institute for the Study of the Black Christian Experience at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. He also serves locally as a Chaplain in the Hartford Police Department, an executive board member of the Greater Hartford Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and as an active executive committee member of the Greater Hartford Branch of the NAACP. He is a chosen, gifted and talented communicator of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But he takes pride in his marriage and family. He is a proud husband and father of two.

Rev. Dr. Paul T. Echtenkamp became the Pastor of GCIC in June 2013 after many years of faithful service as assistant to the late Bishop Raul Gonzalez. Dr. Paul is a founding member of GCIC and served for many years as Senior Elder and Secretary/Treasurer of the Board of Elders. Dr. Paul came to Hartford in 1978 to join the staff of the Youth Challenge, a program helping people adversely affected by drug addiction and other life-controlling problems.  He has been an integral part of that ministry’s growth and success, previously serving as Men’s Home Director and Executive Director. He is currently on the Board of Directors of YCCT. Dr. Paul is a graduate of Amherst College and Evangelical Theological Seminary. He also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters from Biblical Life College and Seminary and a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education with a concentration in Clinical Professional Counseling from Central Connecticut State University.   In addition, he is an Ordained Minister with Youth Challenge International (YCI).  As the current President of the Board of Directors of YCI, he oversees and advises Youth Challenge ministries and churches in Connecticut and Puerto Rico and in the nations of Guatemala, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Kenya.   He also serves as Chaplain with the Hartford Police Department.  Pastor Paul has ministered extensively in the inner city, especially to those facing challenges such as addiction and income disparities. He has a passion for reaching the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for empowering those who have been changed by God to in turn reach others for the Kingdom. Pastor Paul is a proud husband and father of three.

Samantha Holland is a Senior Project Manager with RWS Regulated Industries.  She has over a decade of Life Sciences experience and is an effective and natural leader, manager, trainer, and coach.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. As a Certified Department Trainer, she has designed and implemented training for global teams and has extensive experience in overseeing client service teams.

Randy is the Executive Vice President, Director, and Shareholder of the New England law firm of Bendett & McHugh, P.C. where he has practiced law as an attorney since 1991. Within the firm, Randy manages several practice groups and oversees many operational functions. He has served on several boards of directors and committees for both local and national organizations including the USFN, a national organization of preeminent mortgage creditor law firms. Randy has also authored many legal articles and co-authored other publications including the National Mortgage Servicer’s Reference Directory. He has also spoken on many mortgage and bankruptcy-related panels including panels at the National Mortgage Bankers Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, and the Hartford County Bar Association. In addition to his work in the mortgage field, Randy served as Town Attorney for Watertown, Connecticut from 1995-1999 and 2001-2005. Randy also serves on the Board of Governors at The Point O’Woods Association, Inc., a municipal corporation, where he served as president for three years. Randy graduated from Lafayette College with a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering before attending The Dickinson School of Law (now Penn State Dickinson Law) where he received his Juris Doctor degree. A native of Connecticut, Randy is happily married to his wife Jo and they are blessed with four adult children and two dogs. Randy enjoys serving Christ, family time, golf, snowboarding and is avidly pursuing his newfound love of pickleball.

Dr. Vanderploeg is the President and Chief Executive Officer at the Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI), based in Farmington, Connecticut. He also leads the Children’s Fund of Connecticut, a public charitable foundation that serves as the parent organization to CHDI. He serves on a number of state committees and task forces in the pediatric health care and behavioral health care arena, including serving as Co-Chair of the Behavioral Health Partnership’s Quality Access and Policy Subcommittee, and as a member of the Children’s Behavioral Health Plan Implementation Advisory Board. Dr. Vanderploeg received a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a Ph.D. in child clinical psychology from Bowling Green State University. He lives in Farmington, Connecticut with his wife and two children and attends Calvary Fellowship in West Hartford.