Advisory Board

Joan E. Johnson:  Vice President

Joan Johnson’s career began with Wisconsin Bell Telephone Company, and after 7 years, she joined the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) where she worked for more than 30 years.  Her growth within IBM continued as she accepted various positions including business analyst, staff assignments, and staff management. 

After joining the management ranks she worked in a variety of positions including First and Second-line management, Regional Staff Project Manager to IBM Division Headquarters (Atlanta, GA), and finally a Project Manager with a newly formed Application Development group implementing a program supporting IBM’s premier Business Partners.  While at IBM, Mrs. Johnson received numerous awards for her dedication and hard work.  Currently, Mrs. Johnson is the Vice President of the International Dementia Research Foundation, where she is utilizing her skills, education and professional experience to continue seeking cures for dementia, particularly, Alzheimer’s disease. 

Joan Johnson received her Bachelor of Arts (BA), in Business. Administration, with a minor in Communications from Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI.  She went on to complete a Masters of Science in Management from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI.

Dr. Christopher L.Edwards:

Christopher L. Edwards, Ph.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and
Research Psychoneuroendocrinologist who is Medical Director of the
Biofeedback Laboratory and Pediatric Neurology Service, and Director
of the Chronic Pain Management Program at Duke University Medical Center.

Dr. Edwards is a faculty member with clinical appointments in the
Department of Psychiatry, Division of Medical Psychology and
Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology at Duke University
Medical Center. He has also has an appointment in the Duke Pain and
Palliative Care Center and serves as training faculty member in the
Duke Residency Training Program, the Clinical Psychology Internship
Program, and the Duke University's graduate program in clinical
psychology. He has academic appointments as adjunct faculty at North Carolina Central University and North Carolina State University. He has published close to 100 peer-reviewed articles and abstracts in
medical and psychosocial journals and has given over 200 national and
international professional presentations. He trains and mentors a
range of students including M.D. and Ph.D. fellows, graduate
students, and undergraduate students.

Dr. Edwards research is primarily focused in three areas: (1)
psychoneuroendocrine issues associated with chronic pain; (2)
neurocognitive decline in patients with chronic illness; and, (3)
methods for recruiting populations of diverse subjects into clinical
trials. He is very involved in the community as an advocate for
racial equality and the promotion of minority health.

Erroll T. Reese

Erroll T. Reese is the founder of EWI Technologies (EWI), a full service information technology company located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. EWI provides total technical solutions from system integration to technical training. Mr. Reese’s firm provides direct training and support services to several organizations throughout the world. Mr. Reese also currently serves as Chair of the Community Technology Center’s Network (CTCNet) Board of Directors. CTCNet represents over 1500 Community Technology Centers. Some of the most notable accomplishments under his leadership, include: a 200% increase in the number of CTCNet centers, opening of the first CTCNet office in Washington, D.C., and receipt of a $4.9M grant from the US Department of Health & Human Services. He also led the effort to secure a $330K Ford Foundation grant, represented CTCNet in the Digital Empowerment Campaign.

Prior to starting his own firm, Mr. Reese worked at IBM for 11 years where he managed advanced product design, development, and releases.  Mr. Reese has been called upon to speak often on technology related issues. Most notably, he was a 2 year participant in the “Blacks In Technology” tour presented by the Tavis Smiley Group, participated in the digital divide tour during the Clinton administration and presented to congress on digital opportunities for minorities. Mr. Reese spends countless hours serving on the following boards: CTCNet, Communities In Schools, Triangle Urban League, The Spencer Foundation and The Durham Chamber of Commerce.

Reese completed the University Of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Executive MBA Program and also participated in the prestigious IBM Executive Resource Institute.  He earned a BS in Computer Science from Alabama A&M University.