Buffie Patterson leads the Chase Business Banking Operations team, a group of process and project managers responsible for the successful execution of the operational processes impacting all Business Banking products and customers. The team works together to develop, recommend, and implement operational plans and policies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness, improve service, and support long-term strategic business objectives with focus in four key areas: Business Resiliency, Customer Experience, and Project Execution.

Buffie began her banking career with National City in 1998 as a section manager for the Columbus lockbox site and held positions of increasing responsibility before relocating to Cleveland to assume leadership for Northern Ohio Item Processing. She continued to expand her responsibility when she was promoted to department manager for Remittance Services in 2004, and division manager for Cash Management Operations, the position she held from 2006 until joining JPMorgan Chase in June 2007.

Prior to joining National City, Buffie had various roles on United Parcel Service's Industrial Engineering team. Her experience also includes Corporate Training, Retail Banking, and Sales. She holds a bachelor of science degree from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Franklin University.

In addition to her role as President of the Columbus Chapter of the NBMBAA, Buffie currently serves on the board of the Columbus Housing Partnership. While in Cleveland, she served on the board of the Girl Scouts of Lake Erie Council and on the Executive Board of the Cleveland Northeast Ohio Chapter of the National Black MBA Association.

She was recognized in Who’s Who in Black Cleveland, and was selected for Kaleidoscope Magazine’s Forty/Forty Club, Class of 2006. Additionally, she has served as a board member of various organizations including the United Way of Central Ohio Education Vision Council, Prevention Council of Central Ohio, the PCCO/Columbus Board of Health Steering Committee, the United Way EVC Funding Contingency Committee, and the Central Ohio Truancy Initiative. She is a graduate of Project Diversity, Cycle 10.

Buffie is a Columbus native and a member of Kingdom Christian Center. Her passions include helping others succeed, fashion, home improvement and neighborhood revitalization, speed, and live entertainment.

Neville Gayle
Vice President, Administration

ngayle@columbusbmba.org

Neville Gayle is the founder and president of Executive Intervention, LLC, a training and development company that specializes in developing and facilitating customized training solutions in the areas of information technology and organizational development.

Neville is an advocate of initiating employee development programs in the workplace and has developed partnerships with several Fortune 500 companies and community colleges to help businesses increase employee productivity. Neville has also developed customized training programs and courseware for several state agencies and private businesses.

Neville has earned a Bachelors of Arts degree from The Ohio State University in 1997 and has obtained several industry-related training certifications including the Development Dimensions International (DDI) Training Certification and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Certification. He serves are the Vice President of Administration for the Columbus Chapter of the National Black MBA Association and is a member of ASTD and SHRM.

Neville is a native of Akron, Ohio, the husband of Kimberly and is the proud father of a son, Myles, and two daughters, Kyrah and Trinity.

Major Foley
Vice President, Operations

mfoley@columbusbmba.org

Major Foley works as an Associate Project Leader (APL) in the Nutrition Division of Abbott Laboratories’ (Columbus, Ohio) Third Party product Quality Assurance organization. As an APL, Major is responsible for the coordination of the domestic Third Party corrective and preventive action program and supports the distribution of many Abbott brands such as ZonePerfect, EAS- Myoplex and AdvantEdge, and pediatriuc formulas Similac and Isomil.

Major became a member of the Executive Board in 2005 and currently serves as the Vice President of Operations for the Columbus Chapter.

Major holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Otterbein College and a Master of Business Administration degree from Franklin University. He successfully completed the Better Process Control School at The Ohio State University and has been ISO9001 certified.

Major is very passionate about personal and professional development and has dedicated his life to serving others, specifically youth and young adults. Major is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and has been involved with various community outreach organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Habitat for Humanity.

Major is a member of Rhema Christian Center in Columbus, Ohio where he is active in the Men’s Ministry and has served as an Adult Teen Leader for the Youth Ministry.

Caress Penelton
Treasurer

cpenelton@columbusbmba.org 

Caress Penelton is Vice President and Technology Director for Global Technology Infrastructure (GTI) group for JPMorgan Chase. Caress leads the GTI Program Delivery team that supports large strategic corporate initiatives spanning all of GTI technologies across the firm. In her current role she is responsible for multiple complex program delivery efforts including providing liaison services to the lines of business and acting as an escalation point for infrastructure initiatives.

Ms. Penelton began her technology career at Consolidated Edison of New York holding various positions along the project development spectrum before relocating to Maryland to become the Systems and Programming Manager for the St. Paul Companies. In this role she led development teams through all phases of the software development life cycle in order to deliver new products and functionality for the commercial insurance group.

Ms. Penelton currently serves as Treasurer for the Columbus Chapter of the National Black MBA Association and as a proud mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. She represents her line of business, GTI, as the diversity champion for the Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA). She has served as the Co-Chair of ujima Columbus, the African American employee network at JPMorgan Chase, dedicated to the empowerment and professional development of African Americans at the firm.

A native of New York, Ms. Penelton earned her BA degree, Cum Laude, from Iona College and her MBA degree from Loyola College of Maryland. She received her Project Management Professional certification (PMP) in 2003 and actively maintains accreditation. In her spare time, Ms. Penelton is an avid golfer who loves to travel and enjoys participating in 5k runs for organizations such as Race for the Cure and the March of Dimes.

Tamara Staley
Secretary Corresponding

tstaley@columbusbmba.org 

Tamara Staley is employed with Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., one of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies in the United States. Tamara is a Senior Sales Representative and promotes products from Takeda’s gastrointestinal franchise to Gastroenterologists, Family Practitioners and Internal Medicine Physicians. She is a two time, back to back Excalibur award winner which honors and recognizes top sales people in the company. She has held various leadership positions throughout her district and region and has coordinated numerous conferences and symposiums for health care providers.

Tamara began her career at The Kroger Co., where she held various positions including Assistant Store Manager, Category Manager, Assistant Buyer and Human Resource Coordinator. During her time with The Kroger Co., Tamara served as the Vice President of the Minority Management Advisory Council (MMAC).

Tamara is a lifetime member of the National Black MBA Association and serves on the Executive Board as the Corresponding Secretary for the Columbus Chapter. She also serves on the Executive Board for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Columbus (OH) Alumnae Chapter as 2^nd Vice President. Tamara serves on Otterbein College’s Alumni Advisory Council and is very influential in the Otterbein College African American Alumni Network. She has been a part of many programs through the Office of Ethnic Diversity at Otterbein College and continues to volunteer her time in numerous community service projects throughout the city.

Tamara is originally from Lorain, Ohio. She received her undergraduate degree and Masters Degree in Business Administration from Otterbein College.

Oyauma M. Garrison
Immediate Past President

ogarrison@columbusbmba.org


Oyauma M. Garrison is Staff Operations Director for the Eastern Regions of Nationwide Insurance. In his role, he manages cross functional initiatives that strengthen the position of the company. Oyauma has 13 years of proven leadership experience in the insurance industry earning his AIC (Associate in Claims) designation, and is a part completer for his CPCU and CLU designations. In 2005, he was honored with an Ohio General Assembly leadership proclamation for going above and beyond in impacting the quality of life for his work team, department, and ultimately the company. In October 2007, Oyauma received a Resolution of Expression from the Columbus City Council, and a proclamation from the 127th Ohio General Assembly honoring him for his achievements with the National Black MBA Association, and his impaact in the community. He was recognized as a finalist for the 2008 The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business Diversity Award. Oyauma was also honored by the Wright Choice Foundation as the 2008 Community Leader award recipient.

Oyauma served as President of the National Black MBA Association - Columbus Chapter for four years (2005 – 2008), and is a lifetime member. Under his leadership, the chapter earned Chapter of the Year in 2005, 2006, 2007, and again in 2008. He was named the national 2007 MBA of the Year for demonstrating outstanding leadership and a commitment to the mission, vision, and goals of the organization. Oyauma's exemplary work in building intellectual and economic wealth opportunities for the African-American community has enriched the lives of many seeking new careers, business ventures, and for adults and youth looking to further their education.

Oyauma serves as the Nationwide representative on the board of trustees for St. Vincent Family Centers. He currently serves on the Big Brother Big Sisters African-American Advisory Council working on Project Mentor. Oyauma serves as Governance Chair for the national office of the National Black MBA Association CEO Advisory Board. He is a member of the Young Executive Board and Ambassador Council at the Capital Club. He serves as a resource for several non-profit organizations providing fund development workshops, sales training, and relationship management sessions.

Oyauma has been featured in various publications regarding the strength of the National Black MBA Association, Columbus Chapter. Oyauma has been featured in Who’s Who of Columbus under the Corporate Brass section, and in More Than Entertainers: An Inspirational Black Career Guide book highlighting business professionals. He is a founding member of the Licking County Young Professionals Association, member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and mentor in the Columbus based 100 Black Men organization. Oyauma served as the 2006 – 2007 NBMBAA Mid-East Region Chair, and was elected the 2008 Treasurer for the African American Alliance of Organizations (A3O). He volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters – Project Mentor, is a lifetime member of NSHMBA, and served on the Denison University Alumni Council. He is also a Certified Notary Public.

Oyauma received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Denison University and his MBA from Franklin University.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Oyauma is the husband of Dr. Sacheen Garrison and the proud father of their three children, Mya, Cameron, and Carter.