Crain's Honorees

Crain’s Notable Veteran Executives

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Crain’s Chicago Business has recognized three members of Code Platoon’s Executive Board as Notable Veteran Executives for 2020. Edward Donovan, Iggy Khan, and Dan Reilly, who all serve on Code Platoon’s Board, were honored in the November 9th print edition of Crain’s Chicago Business, as well as online at ChicagoBusiness.com.

The three executives were recognized as part of a group of Veteran executives in the Chicago area who are currently serving in a senior level role at his or her company and have made significant contributions to advancing the issues that affect veterans within the workplace. In addition to their accomplishments within the workforce, the honorees have also made significant contributions out of the workplace, including serving as a role model for the Veteran community and holding leadership positions with Code Platoon or other civic or community organizations. 

“We are beyond thrilled to see three of our Code Platoon Board members recognized as outstanding Veteran executives,” said Code Platoon’s founder and Executive Director, Rod Levy. “I truly appreciate the hard work and expertise that Edward, Iggy, and Dan bring to Code Platoon’s mission of serving Veterans and military spouses and look forward to seeing their continued success.”

In addition to their Board service, each of the three honorees have worked to provide internship and employment opportunities for Code Platoon graduates within their companies. They are committed to providing opportunities for Veterans to grow in the field of software engineering.Edward Donovan

Edward Donovan is the Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary for TerSera Therapeutics LLC. Among Edward’s most recent accomplishments with TerSera, he led two major product acquisitions and integrations valued over $225M in 2019 and 2020. He was in charge of a cross-functional team that obtained the first and only FDA approval of a 2nd- generation antihistamine in an intravenous formulation in October 2019. 

Edward has been on Code Platoon’s governing board since 2016 and currently serves as Board Chairman. Edward provides his time, leadership, and legal expertise to help promote Code Platoon’s mission of getting Veterans and military spouses into programming careers. Edward served in the U.S. Army as an officer for five years. He was stationed in Fort Stewart, Fort Brag, and had deployments to Kuwait and Egypt. 

“Thank you to Crain’s for this recognition,” Edward said. “I am honored to represent Code Platoon and am grateful to have a role in helping other Veterans find careers in software engineering.”Iqbal “Iggy” Khan

Iggy Khan is a Managing Director for Chase Merchant Services of JP Morgan Chase & Co. He has led several projects that enhance the company’s online experience and its affiliates within this role. Projects such as merging treasury and merchant processing information into a single portal and the buildout of advanced capabilities on JPMorgan Access, and commenced the migration of over 6,000 clients, including several of the largest S&P 500.

“This award from Crain’s is an incredible honor and I am thrilled to be part of Code Platoon,” said Iggy.

Iggy joined Code Platoon’s Board in 2019 and now serves as Treasurer. He is also dedicated to mentoring military Veterans, helping Servicemembers transition and acclimate into their new careers. He has been instrumental in facilitating a pipeline for Code Platoon graduates to find internships and full-time employment at JPMorgan Chase. Iggy has 20 years in military service, that time split between active and reserve status. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Flight Officer and was awarded 3 Air Medals for flying 76 combat missions over Bosnia and Iraq.

Dan ReillyThe third of Code Platoon’s honorees is Dan Reilly, the Corporate Vice President of Products & Sales Finance of Motorola Solutions. Dan is also the CFO for Motorola Solutions’ Products & Systems Integration segment within his scope of responsibilities and implemented a new project management system for delivering on a $1B+ portfolio of information technology integration projects.

Beyond the expected responsibilities, Dan provides mentorship to Veterans within the company, advocates for more military prior hires, serves on Code Platoon’s Board of Directors, and is also a youth soccer coach. His military service was with the U.S. Army, where he served as a Captain. Dan began his military career after 9/11, where he deployed with the 82nd Airborne Division to Iraq and Afghanistan and with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. 

“I am grateful to be recognized by Crain’s with this award,” said Dan. “This is a great opportunity to highlight all of the great things Code Platoon does. I’m glad to be part of it!”

Congratulations again to our Code Platoon honorees and all of the Notable Veteran Executives featured this year!

Amanda Michelle Gordon is Code Platoon’s Content Marketing Coordinator. She is a U.S. Air Force Veteran and a student of SUNY New Paltz for Journalism and Sociology. In her free time, Amanda enjoys reading, the outdoors, and turning coffee into copy. You can find Amanda on LinkedIn and Twitter. 

IDVA

Code Platoon Receives IDVA Vet Cash Grant

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Code Platoon has received $50,000 from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs’ (IDVA) Vet Cash Program to help the ongoing effort of training Veterans and military spouses into the career of software development. Since 2017, IDVA has supported Code Platoon’s mission and has contributed a total of $150,000 which helps the Coding Bootcamp offer an immersive, hands-on, 15 week Coding Bootcamp, and the opportunity to secure paid internships following the completion of our program.

“The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs is pleased to assist Code Platoon in its mission,” says Director of Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Linda Chapa LaVia. “By providing opportunities for training and mentorship, Code Platoon offers veterans the chance to enter into an in-demand and well-paid career in software development. The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs salutes the work Code Platoon is doing to lift up Illinois veterans. ” 

The Vet Cash program proceeds help support Illinois Veterans by funding services that focus on some of the challenges that the military-affiliated community is confronted with including health costs, post-traumatic stress disorder treatment and research, job training and placement, and homelessness. By providing funds to nonprofits, government agencies and Veteran organizations, IDVA is able to help smaller groups make a much larger impact to the Illinois Veteran community.  

“The support from IDVA’s Vets Cash program cannot be understated,” says Rod Levy, Founder and Executive Director of Code Platoon. “Investing in our Veterans and military spouses has a proven return rate, as 71% of Code Platoon graduates report an increase on average of $25,000 within the first six months of graduation. After 24 months, 80% of our graduates are earning, on average, $88,000 as Full-time software developers. Thanks to IDVA’s Vet Cash program we can continue to empower our Veterans and military spouses across the state to achieve higher economic and career outlooks together.”

Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) mission is to empower Veterans and their families to thrive by assisting them in navigating the system of federal, state and local resources and benefits. IDVA also provides long-term health care for eligible Veterans within Veterans’ Homes; and partner with other agencies and non-profits to help Veterans address education, mental health, housing, employment, and other challenges.

Code Platoon is a 501(c)3 non-profit that helps Veterans and military spouses transition into the civilian workforce by providing technical training and career placement. For 15 weeks the students are immersed in learning the full web development stack, including Python, Django, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. No previous programming skills are required. 

Alliant Credit Union Foundation

Code Platoon Receives Alliant Credit Union Foundation Grant

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Code Platoon has received a grant from the Alliant Credit Union Foundation for the amount of $2,500 to provide ongoing support to the mission of transforming Veterans and military spouses into full-stack developers. This marks the third year in a row that the foundation has aided the Coding Bootcamp and its military-affiliated students, totaling their financial sponsorship to $7,500. 

“Our foundation is proud to partner with Code Platoon as it helps Veterans and military spouses transition their skills from military to civilian life,” stated Wayne Rosenwinkel, President of the Alliant Credit Union Foundation. 

The Alliant Credit Union Foundation, headquartered in Chicago, has been dedicated to the economic empowerment and self-sufficiency of the people of Chicago since its founding in 2008. The Alliant Credit Union Foundation knows that when they invest in the community the result is a stronger and more economically stable population that can help to continue building better opportunities within Chicagoland. 

“With these funds, Code Platoon will be able to continue to educate Veterans and military spouses with in-demand programming skills, provide professional guidance, and help place graduates into paid internships within the city of Chicago,” says Rod Levy, Founder and Executive Director of Code Platoon. “The funding from Alliant Credit Union Foundation cannot be understated and Code Platoon’s team thanks Alliant Credit Union Foundation for its continued support. 

The Alliant Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable foundation established in 2008 to promote economic empowerment and self-sufficiency in people, especially in communities where Alliant Credit Union members and employees live and work. The Alliant Credit Union Foundation is a separate, independent legal entity, incorporated in Illinois and operated by a Board of Directors comprised of Alliant Credit Union employees.

Code Platoon is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that helps Veterans and military spouses transition into the civilian workforce by providing technical training and career placement. For 15 weeks the students are immersed in learning the full web development stack, including Python, Django, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. No previous programming skills are required. After completing the program the Veteran or military spouse will be hireable as a junior full-stack web developer and eligible for an internship.

motorola solutions foundation

Code Platoon Receives Motorola Solutions Foundation Grant

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Code Platoon, the nonprofit Coding Bootcamp for Veterans and military spouses, today announced it has received a grant for $50,000 from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions.

Through the grant, Code Platoon will be able to support the full time training program ensuring more Veterans and military spouses can learn the skills to become software development professionals. This funding support will directly impact mission critical components of the training program including faculty salaries, scholarships and student recruitment initiatives.

“Motorola Solutions Foundation has been a key supporter of Code Platoon since 2017 and we are grateful for their continued and growing investment in our program and our students,” said Code Platoon’s Founder and Executive Director, Rod Levy. “More Veterans and military spouses have achieved success as software development professionals because of their generosity and we thank Motorola Solutions Foundation for their commitment to our program.”

Through this generous grant, Code Platoon will be able to continue to lower barriers to entry to help make this an affordable education option for Veterans and military spouses through scholarships and funding. Code Platoon will also be able to raise awareness about the value of adding Veterans to the workplace by partnering with companies that have Veteran hiring programs.

The Motorola Solutions Foundation awards grants each year to organizations, such as Code Platoon, that support and advance education initiatives in public safety and technology and engineering. Additionally, the Foundation has a long-standing commitment to supporting programs that benefit underrepresented populations, including women, people of color, people with disabilities, Veterans, and others.

“This year, the Foundation’s grants will support programs that help millions of students, teachers, first responders and community members around the globe,” said Karem Perez, executive director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. “We are thrilled to partner with organizations like Code Platoon that are actively making a positive difference in their communities.”

About Code Platoon

Code Platoon teaches Veterans and military spouses marketable skills that leverage core competencies, transforming them into software developers through an immersive, hands-on, educational process and paid internship program. Of our graduates, 81% of them are employed in software development within six months of graduating and report a median salary of $65,000. For more information on Code Platoon’s programs, please visit: www.codeplatoon.org/the-program

About the Motorola Solutions Foundation

The Motorola Solutions Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions. With employees located around the globe, Motorola Solutions seeks to benefit the communities where it operates. The Foundation achieves this by making strategic grants, forging strong community partnerships and fostering innovation. The Motorola Solutions Foundation prioritizes its funding on public safety education, technology & engineering education, disaster relief, and employee volunteerism. For more information on Motorola Solutions corporate and foundation giving, visit our website: www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation.

cloztalk-team

Announcing Cloztalk and Code Platoon partnership

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Code Platoon has partnered with Cloztalk, a company that designs and sells cause-based apparel to raise awareness and funds for positive causes that matter. Their mission is to get people talking to each other, face-to-face, about charities, social ventures, and cause-based companies. Headquartered in Chicago, Cloztalk is a national directory of vetted 501(c)3 nonprofits. People can come to their website to find a cause that inspires them and then support that charity by wearing its apparel.

Check out our line of Code Platoon merchandise! This is an easy way to make a big impact by helping us spread the word about our program. By wearing the Code Platoon logo, you become a brand ambassador and help more veterans and military spouses start careers in software development. 

To order, simply visit our personalized page on Cloztalk and select your favorite Code Platoon swag. Cloztalk will take care of everything else, ensuring the Code Platoon staff stays focused on our mission and serving those who have served us. Thank you for helping spread the good word about the great mission of Code Platoon!

Code Platoon Graduate Outcomes Report, November 2019

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Since Code Platoon launched in 2016, our mission has been to prepare veterans and now military spouses to become professional software developers. Our students have, over those years, completed eight 14-week sessions.

A key word in our mission is to make our students ‘professional,’ which to us sets the bar of not only teaching students how to develop software but also preparing them for a new career in software development. We train our students on much more than basic programming skills, and emphasize the soft career skills and networking that is needed to get into the right jobs. Here are our results so far:

coding boot camp outcomes 2019

45 veterans graduated in our first 7 cohorts (the 8th one, Hotel Platoon, just graduated). Of those 45 students, 32 (71%) found jobs in software development within 6 months, median salary of $65,000. Of the remaining 13 graduates, 5 went to work outside of software development, 4 looked for work but did not find it within 6 months, and 4 graduated but did not actively look for full-time work.

Of the 25 graduates that completed Code Platoon two years ago, 14 responded to our survey, and their median salary (as software developers) is $88,000. Clearly, our graduates are more than simply employed; they have demonstrated great earning potential as well.

We attribute the excellent success rates of our graduates to several factors. First of all, our students come hungry to learn and dedicated to working long hours every day. Second of all, we have some great tech community partners who help our students with job placement. And, of course, there is the program itself…

We provide excellent technical training in software development

First and foremost, we teach programming skills. We focus on two of the most in-demand languages Python and Javascript and powerful frameworks like React, and Django. Our curriculum, designed and taught by our top instructors, is mostly hands-on; an hour or two of lectures a day, followed by lots of coding.

We recognize that technical skills are fundamental to getting a good job, but they are insufficient on their own. These days, you need to know industry best practices, like debugging, pair-programming, and test-driven development. We teach that too.

We provide soft skills training and preparation for a career in software development

We also prepare our students to find jobs and succeed in their interviews. We help write resumes, and prepare LinkedIn profiles. We teach our students interview skills, and practice technical and behavioral interviews.

Because we work with the veteran community, we are able to tailor our interview prep to help our students tell their stories to civilian interviewers. We even try to prepare our students for the complexities of post-military life. We have seminars on personal finance, workplace sensitivity and inclusion, and growth mindset.

We provide internships and networking opportunities to help you get that first software developer job!

Getting your first job in a new field like programming and development is hard. To bridge the gap from training to getting a job, paid internships are available at the end of the In-Person program.

And we know that nothing helps in getting a job like knowing people in the business. Our students are matched with industry mentors and professional software developers who volunteer as teaching assistants. By the end of our program, each of our students should have met at least 10 professional software developers.

None of these factors is the single determinant in the success of our students after graduation. Together, each part of our program and culture adds to the success that starts with the attitude and aptitude of the veterans who come to Code Platoon!

motorola solutions foundation logo

Code Platoon Receives Motorola Solutions Foundation Grant for 2019

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Chicago, US​ – October 16, 2019 – Code Platoon, a non-profit that trains military veterans as software programmers, today announced it has received a grant for ​from the ​Motorola Solutions Foundation​, the charitable arm of ​Motorola Solutions​.

Through the grant, Code Platoon will be able to expand the number of instructors, scholarships, and total classroom seats available to military veterans and spouses for their training. The Motorola Solutions Foundation awards grants each year to organizations, such as Code Platoon, which support and advance public safety programs and technology and engineering education initiatives.

“Veterans and military spouses step forward to serve our country and they deserve our help,” said Rod Levy, founder and executive director of Code Platoon. “Our ongoing partnership with Motorola Solutions Foundation ensures we can provide new careers in software development to more of our nation’s heroes. This funding will help us scale in Chicago and continue to be a leader in innovation for the tech community.”

This year, Motorola Solutions Foundation grants will support programs that help more than 2 million students, teachers, first responders and community members around the globe. There is a specific focus on providing grants to programs that impact underrepresented populations, including females, minorities, people with disabilities, veterans and others.

“We are very pleased to support the work of Code Platoon,” said Monica Mueller, executive director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. “We believe in organizations that foster innovation and drive change, and we’re proud to be part of the positive impact they are making in the community.”

For more information on the Motorola Solutions Foundation grants program, visit: motorolasolutions.com/foundation

About Code Platoon

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Code Platoon provides software coding training to help local veterans and military spouses find meaningful careers as professional software developers. 

While some veterans and military spouses do have four year degrees, the only requirements of enrollment are a deep desire to become a professional software developer, a positive work ethic, and a tremendous amount of tenacity.

Each student is eligible to receive a scholarship that covers about 80% of their tuition making this career path affordable and attainable. Code Platoon also offers extra scholarships to female veterans who join the bootcamp as they are historically underrepresented in technology-based careers. Students can also use their GI Bill® benefits to complete our program. 

The program consists of 8-12 students per class who spend 40+ hours a week together for 15 weeks. Students are taught the Python and Ruby on Rails technology stacks, which are increasingly popular in the software development field. Instruction is a carefully curated mix of lectures, advanced coding training, and team projects, frequently culminating in a local paid internship.

About the Motorola Solutions Foundation

The Motorola Solutions Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the leading provider of mission-critical communications, software and video solutions that help build safer cities and thriving communities. The Motorola Solutions Foundation makes strategic grants, forges strong community partnerships and fosters innovation by funding programs in public safety education, disaster relief, employee giving programs, and technology education. The Motorola Solutions Foundation provides over $11 million in support to over 250 charitable organizations in over 30 countries annually.

Gary Coffey and Karin Matsuyama, Alumni of the Month, October 2019

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Gary Coffey was an incredibly hard working veteran who is also one of the most genuine and easygoing veterans we have had to walk through our doors. Karin was an extremely talented developer whose personal project was so impressive, we thought it was a 3 person group project.

– Rod Levy, Executive Director

 

From Mattress Firm to Finance Firm

In the Air Force, Gary Coffey did amazing things.  He was responsible for the technology that trained pilots. He downloaded and analyzed B2 bomber data. He debugged software programs.

But when his service was over and he came home, the best job he could get was selling mattresses. It was hardly the high-tech work he was accustomed to.

“Sales didn’t suit me,” said Coffey.

According to Coffey, he craved the challenge of solving complex problems but didn’t know how to translate his worldly military experience to the civilian world of work.

Gary is not alone. While veteran unemployment has improved, underemployment remains an issue. 30% of veterans are underemployed, a rate 15.6 higher than non-veterans, according to analysis conducted by Ziprecruiter in 2017.

Searching Google for IT training programs, Gary’s wife learned about Code Platoon, and he was interested because it was a coding academy specifically for veterans. Once he looked he deeper, he found that he could even use the G.I. Bill to pay for the training. After graduating the Code Platoon program and landing an internship with one of Code Platoon’s sponsoring companies, Gary boosted his salary by $25,000 a year.

“I’m inspired again,” said Coffey, who works as a software engineer for finance firm Enova.

Read more about Gary’s own thoughts on his journey into coding by clicking here.

Couples Who Code Together, Stay Together

Military spouse unemployment is considered a national security issue among military leadership. According to brand new data from the Department of Defense, military spouses are unemployed at 24%, which is six times greater than the national average. To combat military spouse unemployment, Code Platoon recently opened up the program to military spouses.

After first telling her husband about the program, Karin Matsuyama is now also going through it. Gary says that watching his wife learn to code gives him insight into how she goes about solving challenges. Coding is a new language they share, one that is rare. The experience is deepening their bond and securing their financial future.

While Karin can’t apply G.I. Bill® funds to the program like Gary did, she did qualify for Code Platoon’s Women in Technology scholarship worth $10,000.

“The GI Bill and the Women in Technology Scholarship put the program within reach,” said Gary.

The story of Gary and Karin’s journey was also featured on CBS News.

Karin brought strong technical skills to India cohort. Her thoughtful approach to problem solving was a positive influence on her fellow students and helped push the whole class forward week after week. We are grateful to have both Karin and her husband, Gary, as Code Platoon alumni working in the Chicago tech community.

– Jon Young, Director of Education

mccormick foundation chicago veterans

McCormick Foundation awards 2019 grant to Code Platoon

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Chicago, Illinois – August 22, 2019 – Code Platoon, a nonprofit working to transform Chicagoland veterans and military spouses into professional software developers through an immersive, educational boot camp and mentorship program, today announced it has received a grant for $50,000 USD from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

Through this grant, Code Platoon will use these mission critical funds to thoughtfully and meaningfully grow their program to include more students and more support services. The McCormick Foundation awards grants each year to organizations, such as Code Platoon, which support and advance veterans in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. 

“Veterans and military spouses step forward to serve our country, and they deserve our help. The impact of this generous grant from the McCormick Foundation will help us create more opportunities for our students to learn and grow as software developers,” said Rodrigo Levy, founder and executive director of Code Platoon.

“Transitioning service members and their spouses are in search of a career not just a job. Although coding isn’t for everybody this program provides all the supports in addition to the immersive training to set veterans and spouses up for success and a lucrative career. We’re proud to help support Code Platoon as they continue to grow their organization and serve more veterans and spouses,” said Megan Everett, Director of the Veterans Program at the McCormick Foundation. 

About Code Platoon

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Code Platoon provides software coding training to help local veterans and military spouses find meaningful careers as professional software developers. While some veterans and military spouses do have four year degrees, the only requirements of enrollment are a deep desire to become a professional software developer, a positive work ethic, and a tremendous amount of tenacity. Each student is eligible to receive a scholarship that covers about 80% of their tuition making this career path affordable and attainable. Code Platoon also offers extra scholarships to women veterans who join the boot camp as they are historically underrepresented in technology based careers. Students can also use their GI Bill® benefits to complete our program. The program consists of 8-12 students per class who spend 60-80 hours a week together for 15 weeks. Students are taught the Python and Ruby on Rails technology stacks, which are increasingly popular in the software development field. Instruction is a carefully curated mix of lectures, advanced coding training, and team projects, frequently culminating in a local paid internship.

ABOUT THE ROBERT R. MCCORMICK FOUNDATION

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation’s mission is working with communities in Chicagoland and across Illinois to develop educated, informed, and engaged citizens. Through philanthropic grantmaking and Cantigny Park, the Foundation works to make life better in Chicagoland. The McCormick Foundation, among the nation’s largest foundations with more than $1.5 billion in assets, was established in 1955 upon the death of Col. Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Find out more at www.mccormickfoundation.org.

ABOUT THE ROBERT R. MCCORMICK FOUNDATION VETERANS PROGRAM

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation Veterans Program​ serves Illinois veterans and military families by investing in high-quality and coordinated services in the areas of education, employment, health and wellness. Find out more at www.mccormickfoundation.org/veterans