Current Position and Past Experience
Since 2013, Stephen Wright’s role as California Statewide Director Information and Communication Technologies/Digital Media (ICT/DM - Sector Navigator) in the Doing What Matters program allows him to combine his business experience with the California Community College system to meet the human resource needs of hi-tech workforce.
Currently his team of ten Deputy Sector Navigators cover the 113 California Community Colleges working with faculty, administration and regional businesses associated with each college. With over three million dollars in direct grants and over forty million dollars in collaborative grant involvement activities, the team benefits from an enterprise market research and product development approach to repositioning the CCC rich and diverse curriculum for targeted, market-based needs.
Before joining the California Community College System, Wright was Managing Partner at Opportunity Development Enterprises LLC. From 1990 until 2007, Wright worked at Verizon Business as a Market Research Manager, and later, a Senior Program Manager developing business opportunities with Fortune 50 companies. Earlier in his career, Wright served as the State Operations Budget Manager at GTE California. While at GTE and Verizon, Wright also worked with community economic development groups advancing technology with businesses.
Education, Honors and Achievements
Wright actively participates on the Board for SynED.org working to evolve educational options in workforce preparation for students. Wright is a frequent speaker at educational, government affairs and technology events.
Wright earned his Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from North Carolina State University. He earned his MBA. in Strategic Planning from the George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University. Wright later earned his MS in Telecommunications from Southern Methodist University.
In 2008, Wright earned a Project Management Professional Certificate from the Project Management Institute.
Personal Details and Community Involvement
Wright lives in Thousand Oaks, CA with his wife Debbie and enjoys a glass of wine and a fine meal!
Connect
You can find Stephen Wright on
LinkedIn or at
steve@wrightca.com.
