When Thai Morris, web developer at Walker-Miller Energy Services, graduated from Cass Tech in 2014, he had a plan and a strong passion for computer programing. Did he know that he would continue on to become an entrepreneur and full-time web developer? Maybe. But what he didn’t know is that he would land a job with one of our business partners, Walker-Miller Energy Services.
Thai was a student at Cass Technical High School where he was also dual enrolled at Wayne County Community College (WCCC). In 2012, Thai participated in our Workforce Prep program where he was matched with his mentor, Charles Johnson, strategic account director, Kelly Services.
“Winning Futures gave me the best mentor, Charles Johnson,” said Thai. “He inspired me to do amazing things. He had an amazing sense of humor, and I am so grateful that I have him.”
Thai graduated in 2014 from Cass Tech with his diploma and two semesters worth of college classes from WCCC. He continued his education journey with a love for computer science and landed at Southern Virginia University (SVU).
During his time at SVU, he was elected president of the Advancing Computer Machinery Chapter and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in computer science.
Thai became an entrepreneur after graduation and started his own business, Otakusoft, where he makes apps and websites of all kinds. In November 2021, he became a full-time web developer at one of our business partners, Walker-Miller Energy Services (WMES).
With over 20 years of business experience, WMES, provides innovative energy efficiency services to residents, businesses, schools, and utility companies. Greg Walker, president, and Malcolm Miller, director of business development, both hold positions on our advisory boards. Malcolm has also served as a mentor at Cass Tech. The company supports our students through annual and event sponsorships, including our Golf Classic and Corks & Forks wine gala.
“Winning Futures’ mission is ‘to be an exemplary business-education partnership that inspires and prepares teens to be successful in a career through workforce preparation, life skills development, strategic planning, mentoring, and scholarship programs.’ This simple but impactful sentence resonated with me the very first time I read it and continues to do so today. I would have loved the opportunity to have mentors from the business or professional arena visit with me during my high school days.” says Greg. “As an African American male, it’s so powerful to realize and understand the impact Winning Futures has on the students and communities they serve and I’m proud to play a part in that as a member of their Advisory Board as well as the sponsorship Walker-Miller Energy has with the organization.
Lastly, I’m so proud to say that we have hired an amazing web developer, Thai Morris, who was a part of the Winning Futures Workforce Prep program. We’re expecting great things from this young man. Thai, welcome to an amazing organization. We’re proud to have you as a part of the Walker-Miller family.“
We are always excited to see our alumni achieve great things and obtain great positions with our partners. If your company or a company you might know would like to become an annual partner or have paid internships available for our college students, contact Kris Marshall at 248-709-4488 or Kris@WiningFutures.org.