ZIP CODE WILMINGTON 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW

As one decade ends and another one begins, Zip Code Wilmington continues to keep growing. From new hires to new programs to new alumni success stories, Zip Code ended.

As one decade ends and another one begins, Zip Code Wilmington continues to keep growing. From new hires to new programs to new alumni success stories, we ended 2019 with a bang.

ZIP Code Finder | AZipCode.com

Take a look at all we accomplished as we present our Top Ten List for 2020.

1. The impact of women in technology saw a rise in 2019 and Zip Code Wilmington was no exception. Our 11th cohort was 60% women, which was the largest cohort of its kind thus far.

2. Teri Quinn Gray was appointed to the Board of Directors as the first female board member. Dr. Gray is a global R&D operations and portfolio management leader at DuPont Transportation and Industrial and an advocate for education in Delaware. Her tech experience combined with her passion for education will help elevate Zip Code Wilmington's brand recognition.

3. Attention Veterans! Zip Code Wilmington was selected as one of six technical training programs approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Through the new government initiative, VET TEC (Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses) Program, veterans who qualify for VA education assistance under the GI Bill may receive tuition assistance to attend Zip Code Wilmington.

4. JPMorgan Chase CEO and Chairman Jamie Dimon dropped by the Zip Code Wilmington offices during his 10thannual bus tour of Chase’s East Coast operations. JPMorgan Chase has been a valued partner of Zip Code Wilmington since inception in 2015 and over the years have hired more than half of our graduates.

5. A competitive marketplace requires expanded offerings and opportunities. The rise of big data and the need for more data engineers has led Zip Code Wilmington to meet the demand through a new Data Engineering and Analytics program. The 12-week immersive program will begin March 2, 2020.

6. Desa Burton, Esq. joined Zip Code Wilmington as the newest Executive Director, taking on responsibility for strategic and operational plans. Desa is a former intellectual property attorney who handled transactions related to R&D, tech innovation and government contracts. Already making her mark as a panelist at the Women’s Leadership Conference, Delaware Business Times listed Desa in their “People to Watch in 2020” list.

7. Lossie Freeman, former Special Assistant to Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki joined Zip Code Wilmington as the Director of Corporate Partnerships. Lossie’s experience building relationships and forming new partnerships will position Zip Code Wilmington as a premier gateway for corporations and small businesses seeking local tech talent.

8. No year is complete without a “Best of …” recognition and Zip Code Wilmington is proud to be recognized by Course Report as one of the 2019-2020 Best Bootcamps!

9. We love to see our alumni growing professionally and thriving in their communities. Armard Bellamy, Software Engineering Manager at Guru Technologies and Zip Code Wilmington alumnus from our 4thcohort was named Technical.ly Philly’s 20 most influential technologists in Philadelphia. He not only comes back to mentor students at Zip Code Wilmington but he’s an active volunteer with Year Up, Coded by Kids and the Urban League of Philadelphia.

10. Delaware small business owners will have greater access to graduates from Zip Code Wilmington thanks to a new partnership with the Delaware Division of Small Business. As a certified trainer, the Division will give companies under 100 employees who hire Zip Code Wilmington graduates a 50 percent discount on the tuition reimbursement fee typically associated with these new hires.

There you have it, our top ten list. Even though 2019 has come and gone, our successes will continue long into the new year. Stay tuned as we take 2020 (and this new decade) by storm.