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2nd Lt. Lauren Bisacky, USAF, presided as master of ceremonies over the joint chapter and Association of Old Crows (AOC) Patriots Roost annual ROTC Scholarship Luncheon in April at the Doubletree Bedford Hotel, Bedford, Massachusetts. This signature event recognized 42 of the most outstanding AFCEA and AOC ROTC cadets and midshipmen from across northern New England with $1,000 scholarships. Gen. Robin Rand, USAF, commander, Air Education and Training Command (and recently appointed commander, Air Force Global Strike Command), captivated attendees with an extraordinarily moving discussion about "Why I Serve." Col. Scott Owens, USAF, chapter vice president for ROTC affairs, presented $21,000 in scholarships to the Lexington-Concord recipients. Gen. Rand joined Steve Falcone, chapter president, in presenting the General Bernard Schriever Award, which carries an additional $1,000 scholarship, to Cadet Ryan Voutour, Norwich University, selected as the top cadet amongst the group. A total of $44,000 in scholarships was presented including AOC grants. Chapter ROTC Award Winners included: Cadet Rebekah Adams, University of New Hampshire, Air Force; Cadet John Arnott, Northeastern University, Army; Cadet Nathan Ball, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Air Force; Midshipman Gary Feldman, College of the Holy Cross, Navy; Cadet Kyle Beeks, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Air Force; Cadet Alex Casella, Boston University, Air Force; Cadet Gregory Connery, Western New England University, Army; Cadet Patrick Gooden, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, army; Midshipman Adam Gracia, Harvard College, Navy; Midshipman Jason Grissino, Boston University, Navy; Cadet Edward Hole, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Army; Cadet Maria Livolsi, Norwich University, Army; Cadet Trong Ngo, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Air Force; Cadet Joseph Palazini, University of New Hampshire, Army; Midshipman Nicholas Rowell, Norwich University, Navy; Cadet Ryan Voutour, Norwich University, Air Force; Cadet Tyler Wojtasinski, Boston University, Army;; Recipients not in attendance included:; Midshipman Bror Axelsson, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Navy; Cadet Victoria Hernandes, University of Maine, Army; Cadet Daniel Long, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Air Force; Midshipman Blake McCrea, University of Maine, Navy; and Cadet Matthew Murby, University of Vermont, Army.
In March, the Young AFCEANs hosted a social mixer to bring together military members and industry leaders. Twenty Young AFCEANs met at Duke's Waikiki over pupus and drinks to build social ties. Conversations ranged from simple meet-and-greets to discussions around emerging trends in cyberspace and how Hawaii is embracing those trends. The group enjoyed the evening setting overlooking Waikiki Beach as the sun set, and stayed long into the night socializing. The mixer also was an opportunity to introduce the new Young AFCEAN Vice Presidents, Rhett Begley and Michael Nettis.
The chapter was honored to welcome April keynote speaker Capt. James Mills, USN, commanding officer of Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Hawaii. Capt. Mills provided a command mission snapshot for NIOC Hawaii. He reviewed the context of the naval environment, maritime strategy, challenges and trends, and game changers. Topics of the presentation also included the strategic relevance of cyberspace, its imperatives and the trends and implications of cyberspace becoming the new domain of warfare. Outstanding April chapter awardees include students Jediah Conachan, Island Pacific Academy and Rodney Rodis, Campbell High School; Young AFCEAN Maj. Chante Pondexter, USA, U.S. Pacific Command; AFCEAN Mark Godfrey, project manager, General Dynamics; and Executive David Newman, AT&T.
The chapter's focus on supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiatives continues to have great results. This fall, as part of its Adopt-a-School program, the chapter provided local schools with funding, resources and personnel to improve hands-on scientific education. South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia, was one of those schools and used its grant to promote the rocketry club headed by physics teacher David Azzam. One of the students participating in the rocketry club, Mark Wolter, recently won first place in the physics astronomy category of the South Lakes High School science fair with his entry that examines the effects of shock cord length on rocket decent rate. Wolter will now advance on to the regional competition.
More than a dozen esteemed federal cybersecurity and information assurance officials took part in the 6th Annual Cybersecurity Technology Summit, sponsored by the chapter and held in April at the Capital Hilton. <br><br>Considered the cybersecurity community's marquee event, which offers continuing education credits, a Technology Zoo competition and networking for the cybersecurity community, more than 600 thought leaders from numerous federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Defense Department, the intelligence community, the White House, FBI, Department of Energy and others from industry, came out to the one-day summit. <br><br>The event tackled strategies for addressing cyber intelligence, next-generation cyber operations and insider threat. Speakers also discussed the status of cyber work force development and issues impacting tomorrow's evolving threat environment. <br><br>The summit featured keynotes, discussion panels and breakout sessions. The speakers included: Adm. Michael Rogers, USN, director of the National Security Agency; Phyllis Schneck, deputy under secretary for cybersecurity and communications for the National Protection and Programs Directorate within the DHS; Michael Daniel, cybersecurity coordinator for the White House; Lt. Gen. Bill Bender, USAF, chief, information dominance and chief information officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force; Maj. Gen. Joseph Brendler, USA, special assistant to the deputy chief information officer/G-6, Office of the Secretary of the Army; Brig. Gen. Sarah Zabel, USAF, director, Cyberspace Strategy and Policy, Office of Information Dominance and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force; Dr. Portia Crowe, cyber chief technology officer, deputy director, U.S. Army PEO C3T; Greg Touhill, deputy assistant secretary for cybersecurity operations and programs; Rod Turk, associate CIO for cybersecurity and chief information security officer for the Department of Energy; Jay Doyle, of NCIS; Ken Bible, deputy director, C4/ deputy CIO, Headquarters United States Marine Corps; Joseph Demarest, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Cyber Division; Shaun Khalfan, senior business, policy and technical adviser for cybersecurity at the Navy CIO; Mike Theis, chief counterintelligence expert and senior member, Technical Staff, CERT Insider Threat Center, Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon; Frank Konieczny, chief technology officer, Office of Information Dominance and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.<br><br>Sqrrl, a big data analytics company that develops software to uncover hidden patterns, trends and links in data, won the Technology Zoo competition. The three judges included Douglas Maughan, Director of Cybersecurity Division at the Department of Homeland Security; William P. Crowell, a Partner at Alsop Louie; and Dave Wennergen, former CIO of the US Navy.
Leaders within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) discussed their missions and the key programs they will focus on in 2015 during an April luncheon sponsored by the chapter. Panelists discussed how the use of innovation and technology is leading to efficiencies and better processes in support of DHS' overall mission. They discussed what innovation means to them in key areas including management, organizational change and process, technology and acquisition. The luncheon was held in April at the Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City.<br><br>The speakers included: Adrian Gardner, Chief Information Officer with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Mark Schwartz, Chief Information Officer for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); Stephen Rice, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Wolf Tombe, Chief Technology Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).<br><br>The chapter's monthly luncheon series draws between 350-400 senior officers and IT professionals from across the Defense Department, armed services, intelligence and civilian agencies to discuss topics of interest to the Defense Department IT community ranging from IT networks to mobility to cybersecurity to UAS/sensors. The goals of the event are to foster better joint warfighting communication, share best practices and lessons learned and identify mission-critical IT issues affecting the Defense Department and military community.
Alfred Ortiz, support staff specialist with VOSAGO, and Casey McCarthy, capture manager with Kforce Government Solutions, were chosen as the AFCEAN and Young AFCEAN, respectively, for the month of April. Leilani Liverpool with Dunbar High School was chosen as the AFCEA STEM Teacher of the Quarter.<br><br>Ortiz was instrumental in developing and implementing a strategy for outreach through social media and social networking, arranging for photographic coverage of meetings, symposia and social events. Ortiz has been one of the key contributors to the chapter's marketing strategy for 2014-2015 and the success of its implementation.<br><br>McCarthy has been a participant in chapter luncheons and summits by volunteering her time wherever needed. She has taken an interest in the leadership aspect of the Young AFCEANs and has recently been elected the treasurer for the Young AFCEANs heading into the next year. <br><br>Liverpool actively works to ensure the success of engineering students and is a highly skilled teacher who is competent, caring and committed to providing top quality science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education to Dunbar students.
In March, Dr. Kenneth Bayles, associate vice chancellor for basic science research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, briefed the chapter on Anthrax. Bayles gave some Anthrax history; it is an ancient disease known as "Black Bane" or "Wool-Sorters." It is the first disease of man and animals shown to be caused by a microorganism. He touched on the work of Robert Koch and Louis Pasteur with Anthrax. He clarified testing of Anthrax continued over the years, but the 2001 terrorist attacks drew attention to Anthrax. As a result of the attack, there were 22 victims identified, 5 fatalities. Bayles discussed Anthrax has a distinct shape, forming a long chain of rod shaped cells, sometimes forming a comma-shape in appearance. Bayles clarified Anthrax is historically a livestock disease; however, humans have contracted the disease too through inhalation, gastrointestinal or cutaneous means. Bayles elaborated Anthrax symptoms start similar to a flu, which makes it difficult for a doctor to diagnose.
2nd Lt. Lauren Bisacky, USAF, presided as master of ceremonies over the joint chapter and Association of Old Crows (AOC) Patriots Roost annual ROTC Scholarship Luncheon in April at the Doubletree Bedford Hotel, Bedford, Massachusetts. This signature event recognized 42 of the most outstanding AFCEA and AOC ROTC cadets and midshipmen from across northern New England with $1,000 scholarships. Gen. Robin Rand, USAF, commander, Air Education and Training Command (and recently appointed commander, Air Force Global Strike Command), captivated attendees with an extraordinarily moving discussion about "Why I Serve." Col. Scott Owens, USAF, chapter vice president for ROTC affairs, presented $21,000 in scholarships to the Lexington-Concord recipients. Gen. Rand joined Steve Falcone, chapter president, in presenting the General Bernard Schriever Award, which carries an additional $1,000 scholarship, to Cadet Ryan Voutour, Norwich University, selected as the top cadet amongst the group. A total of $44,000 in scholarships was presented including AOC grants. Chapter ROTC Award Winners included: Cadet Rebekah Adams, University of New Hampshire, Air Force; Cadet John Arnott, Northeastern University, Army; Cadet Nathan Ball, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Air Force; Midshipman Gary Feldman, College of the Holy Cross, Navy; Cadet Kyle Beeks, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Air Force; Cadet Alex Casella, Boston University, Air Force; Cadet Gregory Connery, Western New England University, Army; Cadet Patrick Gooden, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, army; Midshipman Adam Gracia, Harvard College, Navy; Midshipman Jason Grissino, Boston University, Navy; Cadet Edward Hole, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Army; Cadet Maria Livolsi, Norwich University, Army; Cadet Trong Ngo, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Air Force; Cadet Joseph Palazini, University of New Hampshire, Army; Midshipman Nicholas Rowell, Norwich University, Navy; Cadet Ryan Voutour, Norwich University, Air Force; Cadet Tyler Wojtasinski, Boston University, Army;; Recipients not in attendance included:; Midshipman Bror Axelsson, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Navy; Cadet Victoria Hernandes, University of Maine, Army; Cadet Daniel Long, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Air Force; Midshipman Blake McCrea, University of Maine, Navy; and Cadet Matthew Murby, University of Vermont, Army.
This year's chapter theme is "Be an Agent for Impact." In March, the chapter held its first general membership meeting at the Patton Museum. The keynote speaker was Bryan Coapstick, director of mobile innovation at Hewlett Packard. Coapstick took the stage to share his experiences and insights of working in the IT development field. He spoke about his desire to improve the user's experience through digital transformation. Before consumers knew the products existed, he was hard at work developing many of the products we now take for granted. His goal was to make them easier to use while providing more control and more information. Coapstick made the point that innovation occurs at the grassroots, and he stressed that fundamental change occurs with effective user engagement. Having the opportunity to attend an event such as this and to hear the words of wisdom from industry leaders such as Coapstick is one of the many ways the chapter makes an impact for its members and the surrounding community. At each of the chapter's events there is an opportunity for members and attendees to give back by donating to its scholarship fund. The scholarship fund benefits deserving students and teachers pursuing degrees in STEM fields who will be needed to fill critical positions in the future. The chapter's speakers, leaders, members, volunteers and supporters in the community are all "Agents for Impact." Thank you for your support.
The chapter's April luncheon focused on major DND projects and navigating through constrained budgets
The chapter held its monthly luncheon in April at the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Club. The highlight of the luncheon was a presentation and demonstration provided by Team 662, Rocky Mountain Robotics. The team is made up of 96 students from six different high schools in Colorado Springs District 20. These students were an inspiration to all who attended to see the impressive presentation. They explained how they organize like a real business to design, engineer, manufacture and operate robots that solve stated game objectives over a six-week period. This years game was named Recycle Rush and required a robot to retrieve and stack several recycling bins. Members of Team 662 say they build people who build robots and encourage students to reach as high as they can dream. These young people clearly showed that they are fulfilling that goal.
In April, the chapter welcomed Dan Jones, CEO, Beyond Horizons Space Consulting and SparkConnect Inc., who shared insights on passion, leadership and communication gained during his military and corporate careers. He shared a current project with a local high school where students develop a science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) business plan and resourcing for a middle school project curriculum, and once approved by the middle school, implement it. This teaches life and academic skills to both the high school and middle school students, fostering creativity and mentorship. Jones is also the founder of Wormhole-STEAM, a collaborative Web-based platform to share and leverage STEAM events and opportunities between business, community and academia. The chapter also awarded a $1,000 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) grant to Gülen Hicks, founder, chief financial officer and teacher at Arizona College Prep Academy (ACPA). Hicks shared ACPAs mission of providing innovative education and academic opportunities to low-income students, most of whom will be the first in their families to pursue higher education. The grant will support various software suites for math, engineering and computer science classes to connect academically rigorous topics to real-world applications and prepare students for postsecondary education. A second $500 grant was awarded to Mansfeld STEM Magnet Middle Schools robotics club program.
The March chapter meeting featured David W. Madden, a member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service and the executive director at Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base. Madden is the senior civilian executive and the deputy program executive officer for space. He discussed the declining space budget and identified challenges as well as efficiencies driven by the budget. Madden identified several initiatives that could provide space capabilities at a reduced cost: for example, using existing commercial services to augment military communication requirements. He also pointed out that international services should be re-evaluated for potential capabilities. Madden challenged SMC to continue to be cost-effective as the next generation of space programs begins to be developed and recapitalized.
At the chapters April luncheon, Col. Matthew Atkins, USAF, chief, Intelligence Capabilities and Requirements Division (J-24), U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), discussed some of the challenges SOCOM faces as it tries to align its investments in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets. Specifically, the talk focused on how the command hopes to use innovations to solve some big-data problems and how communications and processing technology are critical to how intelligence is collected in the future. Col. Atkins wrapped up the discussion by outlining some of the areas that SOCOM is seeking assistance from the information technology industry, specifically in data transport, compression, advanced analytics and improved sensor technology.
The chapter presented special achievement awards in April to the director of its Young AFCEANs (YACs) as well as the YAC leadership team for their commitment and dedication to the chapter over the past two years. They were applauded for their continued success in hosting events that bring relevance to the chapter and for their assistance with recruiting and retaining YAC members.
The chapter presented an award to Army ROTC Cadet Jonathan T. Davis of Brown University during a May ceremony. The event was held at the Slavin Center on the Providence College campus in Rhode Island. Cadet Davis is entering into his senior year.
James M. Crawford, first vice president, attended the 2015 Spring TRI-Service ROTC Awards ceremony in April in the Campus Room of Capstone House at the University of South Carolina. He presented AFCEA International scholastic awards to Army Cadet David Wang, a rising senior majoring in biochemical engineering; Air Force Cadet Robert G. Benson, a rising senior going into pilot training this fall; and Midshipman Elliot D. Sealy, a rising senior pursuing an appointment in Special Warfare training in the Navy.
The chapter, based in Spangdahlem, Germany, relaunched by holding a membership drive in April. Senior Master Sgt. William Hebb, USAF, chapter president, discussed the benefits of being an AFCEA member and provided an update on what the chapter has planned for the coming year. Along with the membership drive, Senior Master Sgt. Rey Schultz, USAF, flight chief, transmissions systems, 1st Combat Communications Squadron, and Senior Airman Brenden Kennedy, USAF, subject matter expert (SME), gave a briefing on the 1st Combat Communications mission and demonstrated a rapidly deployable communications package. The event helped the chapter gain 19 new members.