Ricardo N. America President Aims to Connect Students

“I hope to represent encouragement for young students, especially in STEM, to show them that it doesn’t matter what their background is. What matters is their drive.”

So says Ricardo North America President Marques McCammon about his board appointment to ConnectED, a non-profit organization that partners with school districts to help prepare students for success in school, their careers and civic life.

Joining McCammon as new ConnectED board members are Alexandra Kennedy, Twitter’s global head of partnership strategy and operations, and Clare Bertrand, JFF Labs’ director.

High-Profile Mentor

McCammon is expected to bring his insight to students about what tech giants are looking for in employees, and encourage more people of color and residents of urban areas to take an interest in science and technology.

He also will help identify opportunities, such as internships, job shadowing and career mentorship to build bridges between the classroom and the workplace.

Voice of Experience

McCammon is well suited for the role, starting as a mechanical engineering student at North Carolina A&T State University. During his 20-plus-year career, he has held a series of high-level marketing and engineering positions with carmakers, suppliers, tech companies and startups.

Marques McCammon (Image: Ricardo)

He joined Ricardo a year ago to lead the engineering service and consulting company’s North American operations, which specializes in advanced propulsion, software and thermal management systems.

McCammon also has had leadership positions at Aptera Motors, Saleen, Roush, ASC and Chrysler. At the latter, he helped form the company’s SRT performance unit.

McCammon most recently headed the automotive products and services unit of former Intel subsidiary, Wind River Systems, where he directed global software product development and marketing for connected and automated vehicle technologies. He has mechanical engineering degrees from North Carolina A&T State University and the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

“He brings expertise and a deep understanding of all forms of propulsion, engineering and transportation that can be useful for students who want to pursue those career paths,” says Gary Hoachlander ConnectED president and CEO.

Bottom Line

Founded in 2006, ConnectED is all about helping kids prepare for the future and finding high-paying jobs.

The Berkley, Calif.-based group works with school districts and communities across the country on various student programs, including designing college and career paths, encouraging technical education opportunities and boosting achievement in math, science, English and social studies.

“The ConnectED mission provides hope for young students,” McCammon says. “Even though every student will undoubtedly be confronted by a series of challenges, I want them to know that a strong work ethic, a hunger to succeed and a willingness to learn does lead to a college education, work at exciting companies and, in the best scenario, helping the world become a better place.”