• School History

    Chester E. Jordan
    1931-2006

    Education:
    B.S. Texas Southern University, 1952
    B.B.A. University of Texas at El Paso, 1975
    M.B.A. Webster University, 1979

    Military Experience:
    Chester E. Jordan served his country honorably for 30 years in the United States Army rising to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four before retiring in 1980. Over the period of his commendable service, he was decorated with the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, German Occupation Medal, and Korea and Vietnam Campaign Ribbons.

    Civilian Experience:
    As a successful businessman, he had more than 34 years experience as a Financial Planner and Investment Broker, handling insurance and investments. During this period, he managed over 300 accounts between two agencies, Pension Planners of West Texas, and Farrall and Blackwell. Additionally, he found tine to teach Business Management at El Paso Community College for two semesters.

    As an outstanding civilian worker, he held the position of Systems Analyst for Science Application Incorporated for 18 months. While there he was responsible for developing and installing all of the optics and voice communication at the Army's National Training Center.

    As a Department of the Army Civil Service Employee, he did outstanding work for fourteen years as a Systems Analyst, and achieved the grade of GS-12 before retiring in 1996. During this period, his work centered on research and development involving the management of small to large government contracts ranging in value from $50,000 to several million dollars. He was awarded several awards for frugality in staying under budget in the timely completion of these projects.

    Upon his retirement from Civil Service in 1996, he was awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Award, which was presented to him by the Secretary of the Army in recognition of positive contributions to the Army as exemplified by the career of the General of the Army involving high standards and exemplary productivity. This award is also called the General of the Army Omar Bradley Award and is permanently displayed wherever the General of the Army Omar Bradley's memorabilia is displayed.

    Civic Duty and Achievements:
    As a Life member of the Alpha Phi Alph Fraternity, Inc., he served as the president and the director of education of the Theta Delta Lambda Chapter and was inducted into the Texas Council of Alpha Chapters Hall of Fame for his laudable work at the local, state and region levels of the organizations.

    As an exemplary citizen, he served as President, and ultimately as Chairman of the Board of the El Paso Black Chamber of Commerce (EPBCC). In this capacity, he worked with the Greater El Paso Chamber, the El Paso Hispanic Chamber, and the Convention and Tourism Bureau for the betterment of El Paso in activities to attract tourists and businesses to the city. He served on many committees, which were responsible for bringing tourism to the city of El Paso. Several religious conventions and family reunions were held in the city because of this leadership and knowledge in this area. Further, while Chairperson of the EPBCC, he served diligently as a committee member of the El Paso Hotel-Motel Association. This association deals with increasing tourism and business development in the city. Additionally, he provided able assistance in the development of the requirement and criteria for securing an Empowerment zone designation in El Paso.

    Positions Held:
    El Paso Museum of History Advisory Committee
    El Paso building and Zoning Advisory Board
    Bond Overview Advisory Committee
    El Paso Black Chamber Board
    McCall Neighborhood Center Board of Directors

    Civic and Social Organizations:
    President of the Alpha Phi Alpha Scholarship Foundation
    Mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso Organization
    Chairperson of the El Paso Community Development Committee
    President of the Cielo Vista Civic Association
    Member of the N.A.A.C.P.
    Member of American Legion Post #832
    Member of Masonic Lodge #53
    Past President/CEO of the El Paso Black Chamber of Commerce
    Past Area Director of West Texas for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
    Director of Theta Delta Lambda Education Foundation
    Chairperson of the El Paso Black Chamber of Commerce
    Member of Gideons International

    Awards:
    Chester E. Jordan Park (one of the El Paso Community Parks was named in his honor in Nov2001)
    Legacy Award/Texas Hall of Fame Inductee for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
    General of the Army Omar Bradley Award (awarded 1996 by AUSA)
    Pyramid Award presented by Southwestern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
    Theta Delta Lambda Alpha Phi Alpha Man of the Year Award
    Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Man of the Year Regional Award
    Silhouette Civic & Social Club Man of the Year Award
    El Paso Black Democrat Humanitarianism Award
    Memorialized in Texas State Senate in 2007 with a proclamation initiated by Senator Eliot Shapleigh
    Partnership in Education Award- SISD

    Personal:
    He Was married to Jean Marie Jordan , a retired teacher; they had three children, Carmen Dunphy, Joseph Jordan, and Markita Cross.