Channel Mourns Loss Of Warm, Charitable VAR Dino White

Dino White, a solution provider and philanthropist revered by friends and colleagues for his generosity and good nature, died Thursday. He was 54.

White spent more than a decade running Dicyn Solutions, a New York-based network infrastructure management VAR closely aligned with Microsoft. But he really made his mark leading the Framsyn Initiative, a nine-week program that helps underprivileged high school students secure careers in IT through training, certification and hands-on experience.

"He definitely didn't waste oxygen while he was on this planet," said Keith Nelson, vice president of technology at Irvine, Calif.-based Vistem Solutions. "He definitely made an impact."

[Related: Future Tech Leaders Get Start At XChange '09]

White was a fixture for years at The Channel Company's XChange events until a stroke slowed him down roughly 18 months ago. He was also an unofficial leader during XChange's charitable Channel@Work program, Nelson said, proactively organizing tools and supplies without even being asked.

"He was a very humble, God-fearing, generous human being," said Jennifer Ogle, account director for The Channel Company, the parent of CRN. "He was always giving with his time and generous with ideas."

White played college football at East Carolina University and was a longtime member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and he looked the part. A big, athletic man, White softened what could have been an imposing presence with a giant, ever-present grin, friends said.

"He always had a smile on his face," said Frank Ballatore, president of New England Computer Group in Danbury, Conn. "He always seemed to be in a good mood."

White's passion for football lasted well beyond his playing days, as he, Nelson and Ogle cheered for the Dallas Cowboys on Sundays. His composed and confident demeanor came across even after a string of bad plays by the Cowboys, said Nelson.

"He was the one who told me, 'Everything will be OK. Calm down,' " Nelson said.

White and Nelson -- who was involved with Special Olympics -- frequently discussed the best practices for work program that could uplift lower-income people. Both shared a commitment to empowering disadvantaged people rather than giving them charity, Nelson said.

"It was not about giving people things, but giving them skills," Nelson said.

Channel@Work teamed up with Framsyn for one of the XChange events, and Ogle said White was in his element. He spearheaded the vendor donations, brought additional solution providers on board, helped the high school students build computers and earn tech certificates, and honored the students on stage during XChange.

"He really wanted to share his love of the IT industry with children," Ogle said. "I'd never seen him glow with such pride."

White's authenticity and passion came across during his interactions with students, and the kids very much looked up to him, according to Doris Branscombe, an account director for The Channel Company.

"The children loved him, and he had great relationships with them," Branscombe said. "You just wanted to be near him and celebrate life with him."

White never used the Framsyn Initiative for self-promotion, Nelson said, and studiously avoided attaching his name or the name of his business to the nonprofit's work.

White was also very generous with business advice, Ballatore said, and was always willing to give pointers on best practices for supporting clients and growing revenue. Ballatore said White would always seek him out at conferences for coffee or a drink, where the duo would talk both shop and life.

"I don't remember him having a bad word to say about anything," Ballatore said. "He made me feel like I was someone he wanted to spend time with."

Wake is 6-8pm Friday April 17 at Hartsville Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, 507 Country Club Road, Jacksonville N.C.

Funeral is at Southwest High School, Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m. in Jacksonville, N.C.

PUBLISHED APRIL 10, 2015