HOUSTON MAYOR BILL WHITE NAMES NEW DIGITAL INCLUSION PROJECT DIRECTOR
March 12, 2007 -- Mayor Bill White this week welcomed Nicole H. Robinson as the Digital Inclusion Project Director for the City of Houston. The former Executive Director for The Technology Opportunity Institute (TTOI) will develop and engage partnerships among business, philanthropic, education, health and nonprofit sectors to create technology-based opportunities for Houston's underserved residents.
As part of the City's effort to create a Citywide WiFi network, Earth Link, the company chosen to build the network, committed to provide discounted Internet service for 40,000 low-income residents and Robinson's role is to ensure that the City maximizes that opportunity for residents through training, computers and other outreach components.
"Houston's economic future is directly tied to the technological capabilities of its emerging workforce. Nicole is skilled at focusing community efforts to obtain real results in this regard," said Mayor White.
Robinson has more than 12 years of experience in community development. As Chief Operating Officer for the award winning nonprofit, The Technology Opportunity Institute, Robinson worked with more than 80 organizations in Texas and California, including 50 Houston-based organizations, to help over 10,000 undeserved youth and adults gain a better working knowledge of computers and digital technology that was relevant to their lives. Those efforts helped to improve education outcomes for grade school students by helping them better understand essential subjects such as math and science, better positioned underemployed/underemployed adults to compete and obtain livable wage jobs and helped many elderly Houstonians connect with services that fostered self-sufficiency and kept them in touch with family and friends through the Internet.
"I am excited to be a part of the efforts of Mayor White and City Council to further Houston's reputation as a technology leader," said Robinson. "We can vastly improve the ability of many Houstonian's to better their quality of life and succeed in today's technologically advanced society."
Robinson earned a BFA from Sam Houston State University in 1994 and her M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas in 1998. From 1994-1999 she served as community banking manager and local marketing manager for Wells Fargo Bank. From 1999-2006 she worked at The Technology Opportunity Institute. She has been organization's executive director and chief operating officer since 2003. Robinson was recognized in 1997 as an Outstanding Young American of America for her professional achievement.
A native Houstonian, Robinson is actively involved in numerous leadership, charitable, community and professional activities and organizations. She is married with one child.
March 12, 2007 -- Mayor Bill White this week welcomed Nicole H. Robinson as the Digital Inclusion Project Director for the City of Houston. The former Executive Director for The Technology Opportunity Institute (TTOI) will develop and engage partnerships among business, philanthropic, education, health and nonprofit sectors to create technology-based opportunities for Houston's underserved residents.