About Us
Tau Pi Foundation, Inc., DBA Bridge Builders Foundation of Maryland, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
As Bridge Builders, we share a common goal of uplifting the community, which is demonstrated through our approach.
Our Approach
We are dedicated to providing a nurturing and encouraging environment for underserved communities.
We believe that having an array of different experiences and cultural discoveries is integral to childhood development.
Mentorship plays a critical role in preparing tomorrow's leaders today, which is why our program is state recognized for mentoring young Black males.
Our Leadership
Many of the organization’s members were raised in the same neighborhoods where they are now raising their families. Most are seen as educators and mentors and are therefore charged with applying that knowledge and wisdom to build pathways and bridges for future generations.
President
Dave Charon
Bio:
David brings extensive experience in business and leadership to his role as President of the Bridge Builders Foundation of Maryland. He currently holds the position of President at David Charon Insurance Agency, Inc., operating as State Farm Insurance, and is also a Partner at SDJ Properties, RLMG LLC, Capital Asset Development LLC., and World One Investments. Simultaneously, he serves as the President of the Manor House Condo Association.
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Dave obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Restaurant Management & Accounting from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
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In his leadership journey, Dave has held various roles in his community engagement, from the Regional Director of the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, or as a charter member of the African American Community Roundtable of Howard County where he served as fundraising and business development chair. He is a past Baselius (President) of the Tau Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc and has served in religious settings, such as St. Bernardine Catholic Church, as a Corporator, finance committee, pastoral council as well as a board member of Archdiocese of Baltimore Black Catholic Ministries Advisory Board.
Vice President
Ray Tate
Bio:
A Columbia native. Ray graduated from Atholton High School in 1989 and matriculated to the University of Maryland at College Park graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing.
Ray has strong corporate experience with Fortune 100 firms including Norfolk Southern Railway, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Adecco. He is a Home Lending Expert with over 18 years of experience with roles as a: Loan Processor, Residential & Commercial Loan Officer, Expert Witness, and Sales Manager.
For over 25 years Ray has raised funds for charity. Having served on the Board of Big Brothers and Sisters of New River Valley and a graduate of the United Way of Roanoke Valley Board Member Development Program. Rae became a member of the Zeta Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi in the Fall of 1998. In his free time, he enjoys cycling and spending time with his family.
Secretary
Brian Murray, M.S
Bio:
Brian Murray is the Deputy Director of the Office of Asset Management and Portfolio Oversight, which oversees more than 31,000 assets and provides rental assistance to about 1.2 million low-income and very-low income households. He is currently serving as the Acting Director of that office. He has worked in financial brokering with Merrill Lynch before starting with HUD in 2007 as an underwriter in Single Family.
He holds a B.S. in Finance and Economics from Morehouse College in Atlanta. He earned his M.S. in Real Estate with a concentration in Development and Finance from Georgetown in Washington, D.C., where he currently teaches stochastic modeling.
Treasurer
Benjamin Vaughn, M.B.A
Bio:
Benjamin Vaughn has over 34 years of Experience with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. He now serves as the Assistant Director of Internal Control & Review Section that is responsible for Risk Management Supervision of the Internal Control and Review Program. Benjamin is tasked with implementing the Division's nationwide system of internal controls and procedures, coordinating audit activities with the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and other external stakeholders. Within the organization, Benjamin is also responsible for: conducting reviews and preparing formal reports concerning the effectiveness and efficiency of field and regional operations, assessing compliance with established policies and procedures and recommending corrective actions and operational improvements, identifying best practices that would enhance the division's mission, and monitoring the implementation of corrective actions.
Benjamin graduated from Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Business Administration and went on to receive a Master of Business Administration from The University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Our Story
Tau Pi Foundation, Inc. DBA Bridge Builders Foundation of Maryland, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Columbia, Maryland, dedicated to serving the needs of the greater community. Many of the organization’s members were raised in the same neighborhoods where they are now raising their families. Most are seen as educators and mentors and are therefore charged with applying that knowledge and wisdom to build pathways and bridges for future generations.
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Going back to 1990, the organization saw a need to give elementary school students an opportunity for greater academic and personal success, outside of the school curriculum, which is what spawned the organization’s flagship mentoring program.
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Joy in service and uplifting the community is what continues to drive the organization. Throughout the years, the organization has delivered support to the historically underserved communities in Central Maryland by partnering with numerous governmental and community service organizations, including: the Howard County Office on Aging, Social Services, Local Children’s Board as well as the Community Action Council, Food Bank of Central Maryland and Howard County Board of Education
Core Beliefs
As Brothers of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, we are united in friendship.
We enjoy offering our support in the form of community service initiatives.
Uplifting Community has been, and will continue to remain, as an overarching founding principle.
Community Partners
Throughout the years, the organization has delivered support to the historically underserved communities in Central Maryland thanks to our generous partners including governmental and community service organizations.
