Meet the Team
Your partners in student success
Accomplished administrator, scientist, and leader of higher education institutions and academic programs with a focus on student success and career preparation. Seasoned teacher, especially focused on student learning outcomes and their assessment. Experienced in institutional and program accreditation, developing and launching new transfer and workforce programs, and integrating program review in strategic planning. Builder of consensus and coalitions to foster unity in the pursuit and achievement of shared goals. Partner with faculty, administrative staff, and community/economic development leaders to align educational programs with real-world opportunities. Versed in writing to accreditation standards and grant proposals, as well with collecting and documenting relevant evidence. Results-driven leader with strong skills in strategic planning, budget development and administration, and grant management complemented by refined talents in public speaking, rapport building, and relationship management. These experiences complement my passion for developmental education reform toward adopting co-requisite remediation, career technical education enhancement and alignment with industry needs, and the institution of guided pathways that serve student needs. Implemented industry-based flexible course delivery options including competency-based education, open labs, flipped classroom, HyFlex and dual-credit modalities. Developed innovative programs focused on student success and enhancing access to first-generation students, and those with disabilities or from underrepresented groups. Managed grant funding from federal, state, and private sources, ensuring appropriate resource allocation to deliver on programmatic goals while complying with grant stipulations.
Zahi Atallah, Ph.D.
David Esmaili, MSc
Mr. David Esmaili has over thirty years’ experience in higher education and training administration. Mr. Esmaili has created training programs both internationally and domestically. He facilitated the development of model curriculum, national certifications, degrees, and guided and career pathways. As the Director of an Economic Development Center at West Valley College, Mr. Esmaili facilitated the development curriculum and regional multi-tiered career pathways that included high schools, adult education, and universities. His work included developing training need surveys, skills maps; tagged skills to job, identified training need gaps, training modes, and outcomes. He established regional networking activities that bridged the gap between business and education. These collaboration’s outcome increased the understanding between business and educations needs of each other by identifying the most effective communication methods. Mr. Esmaili has authored market development, market analysis, and competitiveness assessment strategies. Utilizing the information to develop market strategy and partnership opportunities in the Latin American market. He has conducted regional occupational task analysis on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy to assess the market readiness of corporations receiving federal research funding. The information garnered was turned into curriculum by Texas A&M University and is offered on the U.S Department of Energy website. Mr. Esmaili has served on numerous committees: •Co-Chair of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Transportation Advisory Committee •West Valley College Business Advisory Committee, •Northern California Energy Sector Strategies Committee, •California Department of Education’s Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Advisory Committees •Bay Area Council Water Advisory Committee •Chaired Clean Cities Coalition Mr. Esmaili has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Economy of Natural Resources from the University of California at Berkeley and has done graduate work in Environmental Studies at San Jose State University. He has his DACUM facilitator certification from Ohio State University. Created regional sustainable facilities operation curriculum and train the trainer program. Establish network of industry professionals and educators to facilitate development and deployment of educational programs throughout the greater Bay Area Conducted regional occupational task analysis for the U.S. Department of Energy to assess market readiness of corporations receiving federal research funding. The information garnered was turned into curriculum by Texas A&M University and is offered on the U.S Department of Energy website Developed training courses, certificates, degrees, and pathways in Energy Efficiency, Energy Auditing, and Renewable Energy Provided technical assistance and counseling services to companies and government organizations interested in implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Co-developed statewide energy curriculum for the California high school system Developed renewable energy, green building, and energy auditing curriculum for the California Department of Education Served as a member of the California Department of Education Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Advisory Committee Member of the Northern California Energy Sector Strategy Educational Development Committee Coordinated a US Department of Energy Solar grant for California and Hawaii Developed regional Commute Alternative curriculum and support services for Silicon Valley Companies Develop Transportation Logistics curriculum for the California State Chancellor’s Office Developed Water and Waste-water curriculum and regional pathway programs for community colleges and high school students in the Greater San Francisco Bay Region Developed 13 Transportation Planner DACUM and training program for the California Department of Transportation Develop multifaceted Sustainability and Environmental curriculum, both domestically and internationally. Develop state-wide industry-based waste reduction and recycling curriculum for national certification Develop Pavement Management curriculum Develop multi-discipline Geographic Information curriculum and certificate program Procured electricity and coordinated demand-side energy management strategies for the City of San Jose Coordinated the Pavement Management programs for the City of Belmont and Santa Clara County Served on numerous government and industry advisory committees for transportation, water, wastewater, energy, business development, climate change and environment
Chris Forde
Mr. Chris Forde is a communications specialist with experience as a journalist and higher education marketer. A graduate of DePauw University, Forde is an award-winning broadcast journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He has nearly a decade of experience in higher education marketing and public relations. He has extensive experience in graphic design, videography, and social media. Forde has also been very active in the community, where he has held leadership positions including president of his local Chamber of Commerce and he currently chairs the committee overseeing his county’s 911 service. He earned the Robinson Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Service Award in 2018.