Ralph Jones has over 30 years of experience in management, finance, system design, system flow analysis, teaching, and programming. At a young age, Mr. Jones became an Assistant Vice-President of Finance at Security Mutual Casualty Company. And later was an accounting manager and technical accounting consultant for CNA Insurance. Mr. Jones received his formal training in accountancy at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Mr. Jones feels that early chess training contributed to his professional success.  After retiring, Mr. Jones turned his attention and talent to providing affordable, effective chess training to help students improve their cognitive skills. Even students who are not usually drawn to chess training or chess clubs, because of cultural, economic, or mild developmental circumstances. Youth Development System’s Fun with Chess Learning System is the result.

Mr. Milner has 19 years of IT experience and currently serves as a Consulting Systems Engineer, providing freelance technology consulting services focused on database administration, SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), and enterprise systems solutions.

Previously, Harold spent over 9 years as a Systems Management Engineer with Cook County School District 133, where he played a key role in managing and supporting critical technology infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability. 

Mr. Milner developed the original Fun with Chess System, which successfully augmented on-site chess instruction at Chicago Public Schools, charter schools, and suburban park districts. The pandemic was the impetus for creating a new version of the Fun with Chess Learning System, which is more affordable, more flexible, and accessible to a wider geographic market. Mr. Milner oversaw the development of the new version.

Othel S. Owen is a Fatherhood Group Facilitator with
Brightpoint, currently leading the West Side Re-Entry Dads
Group at St. Leonard’s in Chicago. He is a longtime
community advocate with extensive experience supporting
returning citizens and families through group facilitation,
coaching, and empowerment. O. S. also brings a strong
public service background, having served in leadership roles
with the U.S. House of Representatives, AARP Foundation, and
several Chicago-based community organizations. Mr. Owen has recently joined the Youth Development System team. Mr. Owen will support Youth Development Systems’ efforts to build relationships both locally and nationally with organizations that share our mission to improve cognitive skills.

Vince Walker is a consultative sales professional with over 30 years of experience in financial services, advertising, and entertainment promotions. Mr. Walker is the creative director of Walker Productions, where he combines his experience in strategic consulting with his passion for photography, video, and graphic design to produce digital content for business brand development.

Tyrone Lewis is an accomplished executive, educator, entrepreneur, and community leader with more than two decades of experience in nonprofit management, youth development, public service, and business operations. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Governors State University, a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Speech Communications from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

As Executive Director of The Greater Foundation, a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) organization, Lewis has led innovative physical fitness and cognitive development programs that serve inner-city youth and young adults. 

The Greater Foundation promotes the use of the Fun with Chess uniquely designed beginner’s chessboard, and in some circumstances, uses the Fun with Chess Learning System to augment chess training. Youth Development Systems promotes the Greater Foundation’s physical fitness programs. 

In Memoriam – Chief Service Administration Officer