Board of Directors

Meet Our Board of Directors

Leadership in Action

The heart of the Xi Pi Uplift Foundation lies in its committed leadership. Our Board of Directors works tirelessly to advance education, support families, and uplift future generations in Colorado Springs and beyond.

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Courtney Henderson, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)

A recognized and innovative leader, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Courtney Henderson leverages over two decades of experience as a Senior Program Director and Operations Executive to drive excellence in Joint training and education. As the Chief of the Joint Training and Education Division (J73) within the Joint Force Development and Training Directorate (J7) at U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Mr. Henderson spearheads the strategic development and execution of high-impact training programs for Joint warfighters. His focus centers on delivering relevant, cutting-edge individual training and educational opportunities that foster proficiency, advance professional development, and promote continuous learning.

At the heart of Mr. Henderson’s leadership philosophy is a dedication to cultivating lasting and meaningful relationships with top-tier institutions of higher learning. These strategic partnerships are designed to enhance Command capabilities, ensure alignment with evolving Joint space mission requirements, and foster a culture of innovation within U.S. Space Command.

Prior to joining U.S. Space Command, Mr. Henderson served with distinction as an Army Officer for 22 years, retiring as an Army Space Operations Officer in 2020. His eight years dedicated to training and education included a five-year tenure at the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense School, solidifying his expertise in space operations and instructional design. Throughout his career, spanning both the public and nonprofit sectors, he has consistently built work cultures that foster high levels of performance and collaborative engagement.

Beyond his military career, Mr. Henderson is deeply committed to empowering disadvantaged youth in the Pikes Peak region. As President and Profit Chair of the Xi Pi Uplift Foundation, he has spearheaded initiatives that advance career and college opportunities for young African American men and women, making a tangible difference in the community.

Mr. Henderson holds a Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University and a B.S. in Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University. Based on his accomplishments and proven leadership capabilities, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Courtney Henderson is a true operational asset, poised to propel organizational success in any endeavor.

Courtney Henderson was originally born in Harriman, TN, and is a proud fan of the Tennessee Volunteers (Go Vols). Most importantly, he is a proud parent of two beautiful daughters, Jazmyn (29) and CynClair (25), and grandfather of Kade (3) and Kaija (1).

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Vice-Chair | Xi Pi Chapter Uplift Foundation

Walter (Walt) Glover is a seasoned financial executive, community leader, and dedicated public servant. He earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in accounting from North Carolina A&T State University in 1971 and went on to serve four years as an officer in the United States Air Force. He later earned his MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Walt launched his professional career in 1975 as a staff accountant with Arthur Andersen & Co., earning his CPA license in 1978. In 1980, he began a two-decade tenure with Altria (formerly Philip Morris USA), where he held a series of increasingly senior roles in financial management.

In 2000, Walt relocated to Colorado Springs to become the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s first Director of Budgets and Analysis. He was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2005 and served in that role until his retirement in 2016. Shortly thereafter, he joined the United States Olympic Endowment as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, managing a $450 million investment portfolio until retiring in 2023.

A proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Walt was initiated into the Mu Psi Chapter at NCA&T in 1968. Since 2000, he has been a driving force in the Xi Pi Chapter, where he served two terms as Basileus and established the Xi Pi Chapter Uplift Foundation in 2003.

Walt remains deeply engaged in civic life, serving on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation (Chair), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Foundation (Vice-Chair), Ent Credit Union (Treasurer), the Xi Pi Chapter Omega Uplift Foundation (Founder and Vice-Chair), and the Colorado PGA Reach Foundation.

He and his wife, Willia, reside in Colorado Springs. They are the proud parents of two adult children, Kory (San Antonio, TX) and Melanie (Washington, DC).

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Tim DeRamus

Treasurer | Xi Pi Chapter Uplift Foundation

Tim DeRamus is a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran and seasoned federal leader with more than 35 years of combined military and civilian service. His professional journey spans leadership roles across the Department of Defense, federal government, and nonprofit sectors—demonstrating a lifelong commitment to public service, leadership development, and community empowerment.

Tim currently serves as a Program Director at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Center for Leadership Development. In this role, he oversees a national leadership training portfolio valued at more than $15 million, providing strategic oversight for complex executive development programs that serve federal agencies across the country. His expertise includes leadership training, project management, finance, acquisition, and organizational transformation.

A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Tim began his service in the U.S. Air Force in 1987. Over the course of his 22-year military career, he held key assignments in the U.S. and abroad—including deployments in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Deliberate Guard, and Iraqi Freedom. His extensive military background in command and control, missile defense, and knowledge operations laid the foundation for his post-military career in federal leadership and consulting.

Tim holds three master’s degrees from Webster University—in Procurement and Acquisition Management, Human Resources Development, and Business Administration—as well as a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Wilberforce University. He is also a certified professional coach through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and holds several additional credentials in project management, government contracting, and personality assessment tools such as MBTI and Four Lenses.

Throughout his civilian career, Tim has served in a variety of leadership roles, including as a Missile Defense Course Manager for the Department of the Army and as an Account Manager for OPM’s Entreprise Leadership Solutions . He has received multiple civilian honors, including the OPM STAR Award for Excellence in Business Process Improvement and the Space Missile Defense Command’s Commander’s Award for Civilian Service.

Tim is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and plays a pivotal leadership role in the Xi Pi Uplift Foundation. He brings his passion for mentorship, leadership, and community development to the Foundation’s initiatives, helping to guide programs that promote educational advancement and social uplift.

He resides in Castle Rock, Colorado with his wife, Sabrina—also a retired USAF veteran and current Contracting Branch Chief for the U.S. Army at Buckley Space Force Base. Together, they have two daughters, Rylee and Jazmyne.

Driven by a spirit of service and excellence, Tim continues to inspire others through leadership, mentorship, and meaningful community engagement.

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Welton Thomas
Secretary | Xi Pi Chapter Uplift Foundation

Welton Thomas is a veteran of The United States Army where he served as an Officer in The Quartermaster Corps. His Journey began during college where he earned his commission through The Army R.O.T.C. Program at Alabama A & M University.

Welton holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Alabama A & M University. Welton is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and serve as a member of the scholarship committee.

Welton has an unwavering commitment to his God, Family/Friends, Profession and Fraternity. Welton’s love language is of service and he is passionately driven to be a mentor and role model to at risk children.

Welton has been a volunteer/mentor with The Big Brother Big Sister Program and currently is a Counselor/Advisor with The Pikes Peak Panthers youth football team and a volunteer with The Colorado Springs Teen Court. Welton is committed to being a member of the Uplift Foundation by being very active in The Colorado Springs Community through civic and charitable activities.

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Mr. Roosevelt Hines Jr. is a proud 22-year veteran of the United States Army, whose life has been defined by service, integrity, and a deep commitment to uplifting others. Drafted in 1968, he was immediately deployed to Vietnam, where he began a journey that would shape his character and purpose for decades to come. Among his many accomplishments in uniform, he considers graduating from the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School his proudest achievement—a testament to his discipline, leadership, and determination.

Throughout his military career, Mr. Hines served in a criminal and fraud investigations capacity, applying his keen analytical mind and commitment to justice. After retiring from the Army, he transitioned seamlessly into corporate investigative work, taking on roles with respected institutions such as USAA Insurance and the U.S. Fidelity and Guaranteed Corporation. In both military and civilian life, he has exemplified professionalism and dedication, earning the respect of peers and colleagues alike.

Though officially retired for over 20 years, Mr. Hines has never stopped working. He continues to give back through personal engagement, community involvement, and consistent support of causes close to his heart. His personal motto—“I don’t want to tell people to do something that I am not willing to do or already doing myself”—is more than a saying; it’s a lifestyle. Whether mentoring young men, contributing financially, or rolling up his sleeves to help, he leads by example.

Initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in 1977, Mr. Hines has long embraced the Fraternity’s call to service. His role on the Board of Directors of Xi Pi’s Uplift Foundation is, in his words, “an extension of that lifelong commitment—an opportunity to serve in a different capacity.” Widely regarded as a servant leader, he is known for his humility, generosity, and unwavering support of the Uplift Foundation’s mission. Whether it’s scholarships, mentorship programs, or community outreach, Mr. Hines is honored to contribute both physically and financially to the Uplift’s efforts.

His advice to fellow retirees is simple but profound: “Look around. Find out which organizations are doing good work, and support them in whatever way you can.” He is a firm believer that retirement should not signal the end of purpose—it should open the door to new forms of impact.

Mr. Hines is also guided by a deep desire to make his family proud. That motivation is rooted in the love and respect he holds for his relatives, especially his mother, whom he visits every year in Birmingham, Alabama. Her influence, along with the values instilled through family and service, continues to inspire him to do meaningful work and live with purpose.

Whether in uniform, at the board table, or in his community, Mr. Hines Jr. remains a man of action, compassion, and principle—living proof that leadership and service do not end with retirement. They only evolve.

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Jacob V. Pruitt is a transformational executive and decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran with more than 25 years of experience leading growth and innovation across the financial services industry.

Jacob is the President and Head of Donor-Advised Funds at Fidelity Investments, where he oversees the largest donor-advised fund program in the nation. He is dedicated to advancing Fidelity’s commitment to enhancing philanthropic impact. Prior to joining Fidelity, Jacob served as General Manager and Head of Workplace Investors at T. Rowe Price and as Head of the Defined Contribution Investment-Only (DCIO) business at The Vanguard Group. Throughout his career, his leadership has consistently focused on driving strategic growth, promoting inclusion, and delivering measurable value to clients and communities.

Jacob earned his bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University and a Juris Master from Cornell Law School. He has also completed executive education programs at Stanford Graduate School of Business, Harvard Business School, and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Jacob is a dedicated civic leader who served as the Chair of the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation and is a Trustee of the Uplift Foundation. He is also the President and Co-owner of J5Stone Group, a real estate development firm that focuses on affordable housing. Jacob has served on national boards, including the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance, Scouting America, and the University of Colorado Foundation. Additionally, he is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Recognized by Savoy Magazine as one of the Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America (2022) and by TIME as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Philanthropy (2025), Jacob Pruitt is widely regarded as a national leader in financial innovation, corporate stewardship, and mission-driven impact.

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Dr. Eric J. Brazell
Board Member – Xi Pi Chapter Uplift Foundation

Dr. Eric J. Brazell is a retired United States Air Force veteran with over 40 years of combined military, civil service, defense contracting, and private sector experience. His expertise spans law enforcement operations, space and command/control operations, and missile defense/ground-based midcourse defense operations. He is also highly accomplished in personnel and program management, curriculum development, instructional systems design, and platform instruction, having led and mentored both large and small teams throughout his career.

Dr. Brazell currently serves as a Senior Instructor with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), where he facilitates the Army Space Cadre Basic Course (ASCBC). This sought-after two-week program introduces Soldiers to various space assets and their impact on unified ground operations. Graduates earn an Additional Skill Identifier (ASI), with participants ranging from E-3 to O-6 ranks.

A native of McKenzie, Alabama (War Eagle!), Dr. Brazell enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in June 1985 and retired in October 2007. His distinguished 22-year career included assignments around the globe, notably a tour in the Philippines where he was among the last active-duty members present when the United States returned the base to the Philippine government following the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

A lifelong learner, Dr. Brazell holds two Associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force (Criminal Justice and Space Operations Technology), a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Colorado Christian University, an MBA with an emphasis in Procurement and Acquisition Management from Webster University, and a Doctor of Management from Colorado Technical University. He also previously held Series 7 and Series 65 licenses with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

An active and committed member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Dr. Brazell has served in various leadership roles within Xi Pi Chapter for the past 23 years and its 501(c)(3) Uplift Foundation for the past 22 years. As one of the Foundation’s two original members, he served as Treasurer from its inception in 2003 until 2024. He was also the inaugural president of the Colorado Springs National Pan-Hellenic Council (2007–2009) and served on the board of Forge Evolution (formerly Teen Court), where he continues to volunteer as a certified life skills facilitator. His contributions to fraternal service have been recognized through numerous honors, including being named Omega Man of the Year in 2017, 2019, and 2020.

Dr. Brazell and his wife of 37 years, (Martha, also a retired U.S. Air Force veteran) have resided in Colorado Springs for the past 25 years. They have one adult son, Eric Brazell II, who also lives in Colorado Springs.

Dr. Brazell has a passion for service and credits the U.S. Air Force for building upon the foundation instilled in him by his parents. He views giving back to his community as a way of honoring his parents and honors the Air Force by continuing to live its core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

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Dr. Ronald Turner
Member

Hello, everyone. My name is Dr. Ronald W. Turner.

I am a medically retired Gulf War Veteran, serving in the U.S. Army for 10 years.

I am married and live in Colorado Springs, CO. I am the father of six children, six stepchildren, and twelve grandchildren.

My military career started in 1983 at Ft. Jackson, SC. I completed Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Aberdeen, MD, and I was then stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY, serving with the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division.

I later served with the 32nd Air Defense in Geissen, Germany and finally ending my military career with the 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Carson, CO.

After my military career, I started driving trucks over the road with Werner Enterprises, Omaha, NE, as a Professional Commodities Relocation Specialist.

My driving career began in 1993 and ended in 2001 after military injuries became too severe to continue driving long distances.

From 2001 until 2005, I experienced homelessness and sought help from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In 2005 I began my educational journey with Remington College, Colorado Springs, CO pursuing my Associate’s Degree in Computer Science.

After working for various companies like Jackson Hewitt and Deluxe Corporation, I decided to return to school in 2010 with Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, CO, in pursuit of my Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting but later changing to Criminal Justice/Human Services.

During this same time, I began working for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Vocational Rehabilitation (Work-Study), and in 2011, I was offered a full-time position as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist aiding Veterans experiencing homelessness and employment issues.

I continued my educational journey pursuing my Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice.

I used the knowledge and skills I gained from my job with the Department of Veterans Affairs to aid veterans in the criminal justice system in navigating services for medical, mental health, substance abuse, and criminal background issues.

I previously worked for the Mental Health Center of Denver as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, aiding veterans and non-veterans with medical, mental health, homelessness, and criminal background issues to find competitive employment.

In 2017, I began my final journey pursuing my Doctorate Degree in Management and Criminal Justice.

I completed the journey on December 13, 2019, successfully defending my dissertation, “Law Enforcement Officer Training and The Challenges in Policing Homeless Individuals.”

CTU Journey Completed!!!

In 2023, I began working for Colorado Technical University serving as the Campus/Online Lead Faculty for the College of Criminal Justice and Health Services.

I keep current membership with several Masonic and Fraternal Organizations; Mountain Post Military Lodge #26, Order of Eastern Star Magnolia Chapter #14, Holy Royal Arch Masons Randall A. Baker Chapter #2, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Xi Pi Chapter.

Education

Doctor of Management, Criminal Justice
Conferred December 2019
Area of Emphasis: Criminal Justice/Human Services
Colorado Technical University, Aurora, Colorado

Master of Science, Criminal Justice
Conferred June 2017
Area of Emphasis: Criminal Justice/Human Services
Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice
June 2014
Area of Emphasis: Criminal Justice/Human Services
Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Associate of Science, Computer Science
June 2006
Area of Emphasis: Computer Science
Remington College, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Donate & Make a Difference

When you give to the Xi Pi Uplift Foundation, you’re not just donating — you’re investing in the future of a young student, supporting vital health initiatives, and strengthening the community right here in the Pikes Peak Region. Every contribution — big or small — goes directly toward our scholarship programs, youth development events, and charitable outreach efforts.

How We Impact The Community

With a strong foundation in service and leadership, we strive to create lasting change by helping young people make good things happen in their lives.

Empowering the Next Generation

We’ve awarded over $328,000 in scholarships and grants to local high school students—helping them take their first step toward a brighter future through higher education.

Community-Driven & Locally Focused

We believe lasting impact starts at the local level, and that's why 100% of our efforts are focused right here at home. We're proud to serve, support, and uplift the very community we call family.

Rooted in Legacy, Driven by Service

As the charitable arm of the Xi Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., we carry forward a legacy of brotherhood, leadership, and community uplift—impacting lives with purpose and integrity.