Mourad is the CEO of VDCI, a leading provider of technology training and certification. Since 2017, he has acquired and operated multiple educational entities, driving growth and innovation in the field.
Joe Sasson is the COO of Noble Desktop, CourseHorse and VDCI. Formerly the CEO of Bare Necessities, an apparel ecommerce marketplace, Joe brings operational expertise to the team.
David has a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Penn State University and an MBA from Point Loma Nazarene University. He has been teaching Autodesk programs for over 10 years and enjoys working and teaching in the architectural industry. In addition to working with the Autodesk suite, he has significant experience in 3D modeling, the Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam Revu, and SketchUp. David enjoys spending his free time with his wife, biking, hanging out with his kids, and listening to audiobooks by the fire.
- Licensed Architect
- Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI SILVER– Certified > 5 Years)
- Autodesk Certified Professional: AutoCAD, Revit, Fusion 360
- Adobe Visual Design Specialist
- SketchUp Certified 3D Warehouse Content Developer
Ashley has experience in management, finance, advertising, customer service, and project management in the tech startup environment. She has served multiple roles at VDCI including Program Manager while assisting with marketing efforts, compliance, and operations. Currently, as Content Marketing Specialist and Administrative Manager, Ashley works with the CEO and departments to grow awareness of VDCI’s training offerings and help manage departmental procedures. In her free time, she enjoys going on camping trips, attending music shows, and making multimedia art using acrylic paints, ink pens, Sketchbook, Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects.
Gina came to VDCI after a decade in the customer service industry. Passionate about helping people, she takes pride in creating a supportive and welcoming environment for students. In her free time, Gina enjoys reading, cooking, crafting, spending time with her husband and daughter, and futilely trying to catch up on all the good TV.
John has been working in the Multimedia World for more than 15 years but has had an interest in it ever since he was a child. He moved to San Diego to attend the University of California, San Diego, and upon graduating, decided to stick around “because of the weather.” He joined the VDCI Team in 2019 and has since come to appreciate a multitude of VDC Software.
- Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI)
- Bluebeam Professional
Franklin is a proven higher education professional. He has a BA in Sociology and Asian American Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara and has a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Point Loma Nazarene University. He has worked in education for over 10 years, cultivating knowledge and experience from admissions, enrollment operations, and C-level administrative support positions. Franklin is passionate about transformative change in education and elevating vocational education to another spectrum of excellence. He enjoys playing volleyball and is a cow enthusiast.
As Admissions Coordinator, Kimberly is responsible for assisting prospective students in choosing the best training path for their needs. She loves helping people achieve their goals and works closely with the rest of the Student Services Team to ensure the best experience for every student. Kimberly was born and raised in Bristol Bay, Alaska, before moving to San Diego to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education. An advocate of lifelong learning, she also has an associate’s degree in liberal arts and is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor. Kimberly enjoys spending time with family, reading, hiking, and roller skating.
Daria graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a minor in Public Relations. She first joined the Student Services Team, assisting in communication with students. Daria enjoys learning new things and being a part of a team. She has previous experience in administrative/marketing positions and is always looking forward to helping others. Some of her favorite ways to spend her free time include going to the beach, reading, playing volleyball, and listening to music.
Claire graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelors degree in Mathematics with an emphasis in secondary education. She taught high school for 4 years before coming to VDCI. As a Career Services Coordinator, she loves to mentor students and guide them while they figure out their career path. In her free time, she coaches high school and club volleyball. She also likes to explore San Diego and go to new restaurants around town.
Jordan has over a decade of experience designing engaging online courses. As the Instructional Designer at VDCI, he works closely with a talented team of instructors to develop courses that help students achieve their goals—whether mastering new skills or embarking on a new career path. With a degree in Film and Video from the University of Michigan, Jordan brings a creative touch to his work, weaving elements of storytelling and entertainment into every course he creates.
A San Diego native, Jordan eagerly returned home after enduring four frigid Michigan winters. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys attempting to stay upright on his surfboard, indulging his passion for movies, and embarking on epic Dungeons & Dragons adventures with his children.
Martha is the Account Partnership Coordinator with a background in Interior Design. She specializes in building strong relationships with clients in the construction, architecture, and design sectors. Her goal is to connect these professionals with customized technical courses that cater to their unique needs, promoting their growth and success. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Interior Design, Martha uses her expertise to develop long-term partnerships with both clients and students. Originally from Germany, she now resides in San Diego, where she enjoys a family-oriented lifestyle and values traveling with her loved ones, creating meaningful experiences together.
Al was the Founder and CEO of VDCI | cadteacher for over 20 years. Al passed away in August of 2020. Al’s vision was for the advancement and employment of aspiring young professionals in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries.
Learn more about Al and the Al Whitley Memorial Scholarship Fund.