Childs Consulting Associates, Inc.

John W. Childs, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Childs’ degrees include a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction and an M.A. in School Administration from Michigan State University. As Professor of Education at Wayne State University, 1965–1994, he directed the Instructional Technology Program, served as Interim Dean of the College of Education, and engaged in extensive research and development work with the application of technology to instruction and administration of schools. He was named Distinguished Educator of the Year in 1989. He is extensively involved in planning and development functions for school programs and facilities.

Jack Keck, M. Ed.
Vice President – Client Project Services, Northern Michigan Office

Jack has been involved in the field of communications beginning with his US Navy service in 1952 to present. Jack experience includes Teacher of Instructional Technology for Michigan State University and Central Michigan University, Director of a Regional Education Center, Director of the PACE Telecommunications Consortium from 1984 through 1998 where he directed the development of Michigan's first two-way voice and video television network. Since that time Jack has been consulting on the use of wireless technology to deliver Broadband services to businesses, schools and homes. During many years of service he has obtained local, state and federal funds exceeding eight million dollars. Jack has served on numerous state and national telecommunications committees, four Governors Task Force groups and President of Michigan's Regional Educational Media Center Association and of the National Association of Regional media Centers. Jack holds a Masters degree in Instructional Technology from Michigan State University.

Ralph Bach, MBA, CNE, CCNA
Consultant / Project Manager

Ralph holds a Masters of Business Administration from Lawrence Technological University as well as BA from the University of Michigan . He has also been a Novell Certified Netware Engineer since 1996. He has extensive experience in planning, designing, installing, implementing, and managing wide area and local area networks with Dearborn Public Schools and Childs Consulting Associates clients. Ralph has assisted Childs Consulting Associates clients with a wide range of technologies including: Voice, video and data structured wiring, Wide area network (WAN) design, Local area network (LAN) design and Wireless local area network (WLAN) designs,  Enterprise help desk, Enterprise anti virus, Phone systems, Audio video systems, Analog video systems, Digital video systems, CCTV security systems, Building access control systems, and Distance learning classrooms.

Ralph manages the day to day operations of the CCA Southfield, Michigan office. These responsibilities include the production of all RFP documents for our clients, distribution to requesting vendors, pre-bid meetings and addendums, bid openings, vendor response reviews, recommendations to the Owners and contract negotiations. He monitors contract fiscal matters for us on various client projects. He uses his financial skills to audit submitted vendor applications and certificates for payment, as well the review, approval and monitoring of change orders. He currently manages the firm’s web site: www.childs.com. 

Ralph is currently working toward is Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Jeffrey L. Taylor, Ph.D., CNE
Senior Consultant

Dr. Taylor's degrees include a Doctorate in Instructional Technology and a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Wayne State University. He has also been a Novell Certified Netware Engineer since 1992. He has extensive experience in planning, designing, installing, implementing, and managing wide area and local area networks. In addition to having successfully introduced office automation technology into all departments of Michigan's largest county, he now consults with governmental agencies, school districts, and large public sector organizations. He is a member of the Network Professional Association and the Detroit Area Network Users Group.

Douglas Bevill, Ph.D.
Consultant

Doug plays a major role in the services we provide to schools. He holds Doctorate in Instructional Technology from Wayne State University. He has been involved in designing and managing voice, video, and data projects for schools, hospitals, and industry. His technical skills and extensive experience in construction provide built-in performance value to all phases of school facilities and technical planning.

Colene Childs, B.A.
Secretary / Treasurer

A co-owner of the company, Colene has had principal responsibility for many design and documentation projects. She supervises the design and development of all proposals and all required materials. Her communication skills and commitment to excellence, so vital in the detailed nature of project planning, guarantee the highest quality for our clients. Her additional responsibilities include financial supervision of projects with our clients. Her degree is in English and Journalism from Central Michigan University.

Laurence Cutler, B.S.
Consultant - Computing and Data Systems

Laurence provides extensive experience with all types of computing systems and with current state-of-the-art design of wide area and local networks for MS-DOS and Apple environments. He develops long-range computing plans and technical specifications for support structures within buildings. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and Computing from Michigan State University.

Charles Hardin, C.E.
Telecommunications Engineer

Chuck’s extensive experience with national and local fiber optic networks equips him to design large or small networks for our clients. For many years, he has had direct responsibility for engineering and supervising installation of fiber for utilities as well as managing quality control for fiber transmission for a major national telephone company. He provides both design and field supervision of construction for all fiber optics construction projects.

Luba Melnyczuk, B.A., M.B.A.
Corporate Financial Manager

Luba’s background in business provides the company with valuable information and guidance in general operations. Luba's financial knowledge is used in implementing and coordinating various aspects of finance and accounting. Her corporate responsibilities include cost accounting and analysis, payroll, fringe benefit program management, and personnel records. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a Masters Degree in Business Administration with a specialization in finance from the University of Detroit.

Roger Van Andel, M.Ed., MCP, MCSA
Technology Systems Consultant

Roger's broad background in Computer Science and Instructional Technology provides him with expertise in various aspects of instruction, programming, software research, and assisting educational staffs with diverse projects. Computer networking is of particular interest, and he is an expert in the use of the Internet in training.

Part-Time Staff

Larry Shepanek, B.A., M.Ed.
LJS & Associates
Senior Consultant

Larry has extensive project planning experience. He formerly served as Director of Systems Development and Telecommunications for Oakland Schools. Since forming his own company in 1994, he has provided extensive technology design services to many educational institutions. He has served on the board of CTN (a 22 Channel Instructional Television Fix Service facility), the Michigan Governor’s Telecommunications Task Force, the MIN Council subcommittee on finance, and other public planning groups. He also has served as Executive Secretary for the Information Management Systems Administrators (IMSA). As a consultant with Childs Consulting Associates, Inc., Larry assists many schools and libraries in the development of technology plans and applications for Universal Services Fund (USF) support (E-rate).

Diane Case
CAD / Graphic Designer

Diane provides major support for all materials design and development. She has over 13 years' experience in graphic arts, including eight with General Motors. She currently is in charge of all graphic design and desktop publishing. She assists with school staff technology application training. Her formal preparation includes work at the Center for Creative Studies and Wayne State University.

Daniel M. Ferguson, MBA, MSIE
Consultant

From 1987 through 2000 he was Chairman of the Advanced Strategies Conference for Electronic Commerce and the Corporate Financial EC Conference as well as publisher of The Journal of Electronic Commerce. During this same period, Mr. Ferguson was founder and CEO of The EDI Group, Ltd., a professional services company which specialized in EDI and Electronic Commerce and conducted syndicated market research, Electronic Commerce courses and conferences for Fortune 1000 companies. Previous to forming EDI Group, Mr. Ferguson was Vice President and Manager of First Chicago Bank’s Cash Management Consulting Group as well as the bank's research and development in corporate electronic information and payment products. An engineering graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he also earned an MBA in Accounting and a M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University. His credentials include teaching accounting and computer science at the University of Minnesota and teaching E-Business courses at the Stuart Graduate School of Business at Illinois Institute of Technology.

Contract Personnel

Childs Consulting Associates, Inc.,  frequently draws from the abundance of specialized services provided by Detroit metropolitan area contract personnel. These successful associations have contributed to our reputation for unique, high quality training materials.