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The chapter hosted its Heartland TechNet in June at the Bellevue Welcome Center support facility. Major companies sponsored 11 different booths. Vendors spared no expense in exhibiting and demonstrating their innovative products and services. Participating companies were 1 Staff Training, Omaha, Nebraska; Draycor, San Diego; Dynamic Systems Inc., Austin, Texas; Great Plains Communications, Blair, Nebraska; Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, California; Iron Bow Technologies, Chantilly, Virginia; Juniper Networks, Sunnyvale, California; Software Engineering Solutions, Bellevue, Nebraska; Sterling Computers, Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; Vectrus, Colorado Springs, Colorado; and WESCO, Pittsburgh. At the event, Elizabeth Durham-Ruiz, technical adviser, C-4 Systems Directorate, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska, said USSTRATCOM is one of nine combatant commands with a global perspective. There are nine diverse missions assigned, which creates a challenge to sharing information and getting it to one place. A new facility is being built to house USSTRATCOM, and wireless is being considered. There will be pockets of wireless within the new facility, but there are challenges on how to do this while creating an environment where workers remain efficient. Small tests are being conducted in the old facility to glean information on how to make the transition effective in the new facility. Surface pros are in use now by 25 senior leaders within USSTRATCOM. The takeaway is that collaboration across the board is key. In addition, Lt. Gen. Michael Peterson, USAF (Ret.), vice president for strategic initiatives, URS Systems Engineering and Information Solutions team, San Francisco, gave a broad overview of things to consider in todays information technology environment. He talked about the significance of understanding critical infrastructure; the necessity of an enterprise architecture; and the vulnerabilities created by second and third parties tied into the network. He talked about the possibility of conducting joint regional securitythis would help with funding and impose a single security architecture. He discussed how important it is to keep ones work force trained. Cyber mission forces have a vital role and need to be embraced. As a matter of good policy, he mentioned taking a look at ones current applications periodically and figuring out what can go away. Both Peterson and Durham-Ruiz received chapter coins for addressing the assembly at TechNet. TechNet culminated with the chapters 14th annual golf tournament, which was held at the Platteview Country Club in Bellevue.
The 13th International Fair of Defence and Security Technology (IDET) was held in May in Brno, Czech Republic. The chapter, which has partnered with the fair since its beginning, presented two main activities: a professional educational seminar, Fundamentals of Cybersecurity for Executives, and live demonstrations of capabilities in cybersecurity. The objective of the seminar was to impart basic knowledge to executives about cybersecurity in the Czech Republic and the impact of current legislation. Eighty-two people attended the seminar, and almost 50 verified their learnings in a final test and received certificates. The seminar was held under the auspices of the director of the Czech National Security Authority, chief of the general staff of the Czech Armed Forces, the rector of the University of Defence and the rector of the Police Academy of the Czech Republic. Live examples, presentations and shows of the capabilities of AFCEA professional partners in cybersecurity were held at the AFCEA booth for three days. Visitors could watch live examples of cyber attacks, their detection, subsequent analysis and possible ways to eliminate their impacts and successfully and effectively prevent them both by organizational measures and efficient information technology tools. Taking part were the National Security Authority and National Cyber Security Centre; Ministry of Defence CERT; CZ.NIC; University of Defence; Masaryk University (KYPO); and SOCCR of the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic. Additionally, visitors had a chance to engage in discussions with leading experts about scientific and research projects underway at Czech universities. AFCEA expositions were also visited by a number of important guests, including U.S. Department of Homeland Security Undersecretary Suzanne Spaulding with her delegation, leaders from the Czech National Security Authority and representatives of the Czech Armed Forces.
In February, the chapters Young AFCEAN Advisory Council (YAAC) kicked off the 2015 Business Over Breakfast series with featured guest speaker Brandon Allen, independent financial adviser, Integrity Agency Corporation. The event, hosted at the Hilton Garden Inn, Montgomery, Alabama, drew a full house of young military, government and industry personnel. Allen spoke about strategies for building a strong financial future and covered a wide range of financial advice: Pay off existing debts; save for an emergency fund; contribute to a 401(k) or similar employee match program; invest in a well-balanced portfolio; and ultimately align investment strategies and risk with a target retirement date. He then stressed the importance of working with a financial planner who will commit to fiduciary responsibility. During a follow-up question-and-answer session, Allen mentioned that individuals will likely find fiduciary standards with a fee-based independent financial adviser ideally with someone they can build a trusting relationship. Overall, Allen identified the key to investing profitably: Outpace inflation to yield an increase in financial investments over time. The Young AFCEANs thank Allen for sharing his insightful and informative tips for financial success.
In February, the chapter partnered with Alabama State University (ASU), the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, the Alabama Department of Transportation, Montgomery Public Schools and the IT Advisory Council for Robert E. Lee High Schools IT Academy program to conduct the annual Camp IT student-recruiting event at ASU, Montgomery, Alabama. Camp IT is a hands-on, interactive half-day event designed to educate rising high school freshmen about the exciting and vast array of career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and to motivate them to kick-start their career planning at an early age by attending the IT Academy. The event opened with presentations by Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, president, ASU; Maj. Charlie Grover, USAF; Kevon Chesson and Christopher Royal, IT Academy teachers; and an interactive Google Hangout session from Google headquarters in California with Tom Wojszynski, senior manager, Google Cloud Platform Team. Charisse Stokes, director of the chapters Education Foundation, conducted an informative presentation alongside Dr. Joe Besselman, president, Disruptive Technologies. They gave students compelling facts about the importance of and demand for STEM across limitless career fields along with helpful tips related to pursuing a career in STEM. Following the opening presentations, 250 eighth-grade students from the River Region participated in mini-sessions designed to further interest in a STEM-based career: computer gaming; PC repair; Web page design; robotics; programming languages CSS, HTML and Scratch; Prezi; and Google Maps. Local airmen from the Application Software Assurance Center of Excellence at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base hosted a hackathon to round out the events. The chapter proudly supports this annual event and provided funding for participants T-shirts along with three second-generation iPad tablets and 12 iTunes gift cards, which were part of a raffle. The chapter looks forward to continuing to support the IT Academy and watching enrollment grow as motivated students pursue their goals of attaining STEM-driven careers. Currently, the IT Academy enrolls an impressive 70 students. The program is a prime opportunity for motivated, hard-working students to fast-track their education in STEM/information technology by taking courses in hardware and software and training/testing to earn professional certifications (Security+, Network+ and MTA). The IT Academy has recently been recognized as an official National Academy Foundation member.
In June, Lt. Gen. Robert M. Shea, USMC (Ret.), president and CEO of AFCEA International, with Maj. Gen. Peter Treche, DEU AF (Ret.), visited the chapter and met with its board of directors. Gen. Sheas first visit to Portugal included meetings with the Portuguese Ministry of Defense, the General Staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces (EMGFA) and the Portuguese Platform for Defense Industries (idD). Rear Adm. Mario Durao, PRT (Ret.), chapter president, and Rear Adm. Carlos Rodolfo, PRT (Ret.), regional vice president, Atlantic Region, and chapter chairman, accompanied the visitors. On the visit to EMGFA, Gen. Shea and Gen. Treche were received by Lt. Gen. Silvio Sampaio, PRT AF, and Capt. Belo Fabiao, PRT N, Communication and Information Services Armed Forces Directorate.
The chapter hosted a meet and greet in July with Tech Expo vendors and corporate sponsors. In addition, the chapters Young AFCEANs have been trying to find every opportunity to do great things for their community. The chapter started an educational meeting called Business 2 Breakfast. This is an opportunity for a panel of individuals in one of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career fields to come out and speak with the Young AFCEANs. The Young AFCEANs have now held two of these breakfasts with invigorating conversations between participants and panelists. Young AFCEANs also have been working with local high schools on multiple programs to assist students who are interested in pursuing a STEM career after graduation. Multiple AFCEA members teach these high school students Security +, CEH and many more programs. The chapter decided to help these students even further and paid for two high school seniors to test for the CompTIA Security+ certificate. The students, Nick Hubert and Sol Zona, passed the test and are now Security + certified.
Rob Cordray, vice president and U.S. Army account executive at General Dynamics Information Technology, and Sarah Greenert, senior marketing analyst, business development, Defense Solutions Division, General Dynamics Information Technology, were chosen as the AFCEAN and Young AFCEAN, respectively, for May. Cordray joined the chapters Military IT Leadership Awards Committee in August 2014 and has been engaged ever since. He helped plan and execute the Military IT Leadership Awards Dinner. Cordrays leadership directly contributed to the success of the dinner. Greenert joined AFCEA in August 2014 as well. She led crucial marketing efforts for the Military IT Leadership Awards Dinner and was instrumental in developing and implementing a strategy for outreach to key military leaders.
Leaders within the Marine Corps had an engaging discussion on extending the services enterprise network during a May chapter luncheon. Before the panel discussion began, Brig. Gen. Kevin Nally, USMC, chief information officer, made a point of categorically rejecting how a top cyber official had characterized the Corps enterprise network a day earlier. The network is not a mess, he said. And Ill tell you for a factfive years being in the jobI have never had a commander call me and complain about the network. Panelists later discussed the growth and direction of their information technology initiatives. The services goal is to give commanders a breadth of information technology options for responding to crises, from deploying a greater range of mobile devices to taking advantage of remote desktops. The Marine Corps wants its digital footprint to catch up to its physical one. Speakers included Col. Pete Dillon, USMC, Strategic Planning Division chief, Command, Control, Communications and Computers; Col. Dave McMorries, USMC, commanding officer of the Marine Corps Network and Security Center; and Gen. Nally. The chapters monthly luncheon series draws between 350 to 400 senior officers and information technology professionals from across the Defense Department, armed services, intelligence and civilian agencies to discuss topics of interest to the Defense Department information technology community, ranging from information technology networks to mobility to cybersecurity to unmanned aircraft systems and sensors. The goal is to foster better joint warfighting communication, share best practices and lessons learned and identify mission-critical information technology issues affecting the Defense Department and military community.
The annual Stuttgart STEM Scholarship Competition and Awards luncheon was held in May. More than $12,000 was awarded to six graduating seniors and two teachers from Patch High School. The chapter hosted Col. Jeremiah Boenisch, USAF, Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) J-6 director, as the guest speaker. He delivered a motivational speech encouraging students and other attendees to set and write down goals so that a daily reminder will keep them on track to succeed. The students science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) projects were on display, allowing attendees the opportunity to meet the students and discuss their projects. The projects included building and programming a remote-operated robot; constructing a tremolo box; creating an LED 10-light circuit board; producing a portable 12-volt solar battery charger; and designing generators based on cell biotechnology. All participants presented impressive projects, and all were awarded with scholarship funds for their work in STEM.
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The chapters TechNet event in May attracted 2,200 participants, and 106 exhibitors showed trends and solutions for armed forces and homeland security. This years focus was Organized ITArmed Forces and Institutions in a Digitized World. At the symposium, high-ranking officers such as Vice Adm. Andreas Krause, chief of the German navy, talked about information technology challenges.
The chapter hosted its Heartland TechNet in June at the Bellevue Welcome Center support facility. Major companies sponsored 11 different booths. Vendors spared no expense in exhibiting and demonstrating their innovative products and services. Participating companies were 1 Staff Training, Omaha, Nebraska; Draycor, San Diego; Dynamic Systems Inc., Austin, Texas; Great Plains Communications, Blair, Nebraska; Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, California; Iron Bow Technologies, Chantilly, Virginia; Juniper Networks, Sunnyvale, California; Software Engineering Solutions, Bellevue, Nebraska; Sterling Computers, Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; Vectrus, Colorado Springs, Colorado; and WESCO, Pittsburgh. At the event, Elizabeth Durham-Ruiz, technical adviser, C-4 Systems Directorate, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska, said USSTRATCOM is one of nine combatant commands with a global perspective. There are nine diverse missions assigned, which creates a challenge to sharing information and getting it to one place. A new facility is being built to house USSTRATCOM, and wireless is being considered. There will be pockets of wireless within the new facility, but there are challenges on how to do this while creating an environment where workers remain efficient. Small tests are being conducted in the old facility to glean information on how to make the transition effective in the new facility. Surface pros are in use now by 25 senior leaders within USSTRATCOM. The takeaway is that collaboration across the board is key. In addition, Lt. Gen. Michael Peterson, USAF (Ret.), vice president for strategic initiatives, URS Systems Engineering and Information Solutions team, San Francisco, gave a broad overview of things to consider in todays information technology environment. He talked about the significance of understanding critical infrastructure; the necessity of an enterprise architecture; and the vulnerabilities created by second and third parties tied into the network. He talked about the possibility of conducting joint regional securitythis would help with funding and impose a single security architecture. He discussed how important it is to keep ones work force trained. Cyber mission forces have a vital role and need to be embraced. As a matter of good policy, he mentioned taking a look at ones current applications periodically and figuring out what can go away. Both Peterson and Durham-Ruiz received chapter coins for addressing the assembly at TechNet. TechNet culminated with the chapters 14th annual golf tournament, which was held at the Platteview Country Club in Bellevue.
The eighth annual Spring Military IT Leadership Awards Dinner was held in May at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia. The evening included a keynote presentation by Adm. James Sandy Winnefeld Jr., USN, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and a special ceremony to recognize the chapters 2015 award winners. This elegant event salutes information technology warfighters for their service and dedication and recognizes the contributions and sacrifices they have made in defending the nation. The program recognizes 10 members (one enlisted member and one officer stationed anywhere in the world) from each of the U.S. armed services who were nominated for their contributions in calendar year 2014. Four additional awards were presented to service members (two officers, two enlisted) assigned to a joint billet during the time of their demonstrated leadership. Special consideration is given for decisive bravery. The winners of the eighth Spring Military IT Leadership Awards are Senior Master Sgt. Harold Terrance, USAF; Lt. Col. Paul Williams, USAF; Staff Sgt. Adam Haines, USA; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Daniel Malone, USA; Electronics Technician 1 James McArdle, USCG; Cmdr. Kevin Carroll, USCG; Gunnery Sgt. Kristopher Joiner, USMC; Capt. David Burton, USMC; Information Systems Technician 1st Class Robert Williams, USN; Lt. j.g. Michael Hughes, USN; Sgt. 1st Class James Lowry, USA; Master Sgt. Cedric Maybank, USA; Maj. Jillian Klug, USA; and Maj. Larry Abraham, USA.
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For the second time, the chapter invited Young AFCEANs to a career-starter forum in the town hall of Bonn-Bad Godesberg. Katja Frintrop, member of the board of directors, led the discussion for graduates and work force entrants. Four young professionals shared their choice of career, how they entered their profession and what the first years were like. A personnel manager complemented the speakers. Questions about the importance of service in the armed forces and other topics were addressed. The next career-starter forum is planned for 2017.
The chapter, in conjunction with the Tobyhanna Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), hosted an Army birthday luncheon in June at Tobyhanna Army Depot. The guest speaker was Lt. Gen. Bob Wood, USA (Ret.), AFCEA executive vice president, who spoke about the formation of the Continental Army 240 years earlier and topics of interest to the professional development of AFCEA members. Upcoming AFCEA events were featured as were thought leadership highlights in the areas of technology offset, cybersecurity and cyber resilience. Work force training opportunities were addressed during a question-and-answer session.
Thomas Becht, the civilian deputy and business manager of the Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) Systems Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, spoke at the chapters June luncheon. Becht advises the MILSATCOM director, Robert E. Tarleton Jr., on activities that crosscut acquisition planning, programming, budgeting and operational support for the $40 billion portfolio that includes Milstar; the Defense Satellite Communications System; the Wideband Global SATCOM program; the Advanced Extremely High Frequency program; the Advanced Concepts Division; the Advanced Development Division; the Command and Control System-Consolidated program; and associated Air Force communication terminals and mission control systems. He discussed how the directorate is addressing challenges to military satellite communications, including cybersecurity threats such as interception, jamming and malicious viruses; difficulties with the space communications industrial base; and the fragility of space assets. The directorate is forming concepts to minimize the impact of such threats and provide future opportunities to improve the level of protected communication capabilities.
The chapter hosted high school science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) scholarship recipients, who were recognized in front of members at a May luncheon. Each student got a certificate, check and coin from the chapter as well as a photo opportunity with the chapter president, Col. Russell Smith, U.S. Special Operations Command J-6 deputy director. The chapter also recognized the members who volunteered to help score the student scholarship applications.
In June, U.S. Special Operations Command (SOC) J-6 Chief Information Officer John Wilcox gave an overview of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Information Environment Strategic Plan for 2015-20. The chapter also selected six outstanding operational support personnel to recognize from the Joint Communications Support Element, U.S. Central Command, SOCOM and Defense Information Systems Agency SOCOM.<br>
The chapters Young AFCEANs volunteered at the annual Tinker Elementary School Walkathon in May. This elementary school is on MacDill Air Force Base and serves children of parents in the armed forces. The Tinker Parent Teacher Organization raises money to enhance the educational experience for the children at Tinker, and Young AFCEANs love contributing to this great cause.
In April, the chapter participated in the Mohawk Valley Engineers Executive Council (MVEEC) 65th Annual Engineers Banquet. Chapter board member Nancy Koziarz of the Resilient Synchronized Systems Branch, Systems Division, Information Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, received the 2014 Leadership Award for her leadership in the Utica College Regional Science Fair judging and student awards process. For more than 10 years, Koziarz has provided judges from the Information Directorate and AFCEA to the Utica College Regional Science Fair to determine winners of the age group awards at the fair. Through her leadership, the chapter annually awards $1,000 in prizes. Through Koziarzs extraordinary efforts, students have received recognition for their hard work in presenting projects that exhibit the best and brightest stars in central New York.
In May, the chapter distributed more than $40,000 in scholarships and Teaching Tool awards during a luncheon. Students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees received scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. Industry partners ANDRO Computational Solutions, Black River Systems, General Dynamics, Radiance Technologies and SRC donated $12,000 to the scholarship program. <br>
In May, the chapter hosted its annual Education Foundation luncheon to recognize and reward nine hard-working students in the Montgomery, Alabama, River Region. The luncheon took place in conjunction with the chapters annual information technology conference, the Montgomery Information Technology Summit (MITS), at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center in Montgomery. The luncheon drew a full house from industry, government and the military. Charisse Stokes, director of the chapters Education Foundation, presided over the luncheon with the assistance of Chapter Vice President Master Sgt. Neil Stewart, USAF. The chapter was honored to have Lt. Gen. Robert M. Shea, USMC (Ret.), president and CEO of AFCEA International, not only attend the luncheon, but also assist in handing out awards during the ceremony alongside Robert Shofner, program executive officer for Business and Enterprise Systems, Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex, Alabama. The chapter awarded $10,000 in scholarships as part of its High School Information Technology Summer Internship Program. The following four deserving graduating high school seniors were each awarded a $2,500 scholarship, a new Hewlett-Packard laptop computer and a 10-week summer internship with an information technology company (Array, IndraSoft or Lockheed Martin) valued at $3,500: Cara Borowski, Marvin Royal, Peyton Tucker and John David Watts. The chapter also recognized the following five rising college seniors who received a $5,000 scholarship as part of its Education for Industry Scholarship Program: Ashley Ellis of Alabama State University; Chelsea Roberson of Alabama State University; Qwenshana King of Auburn University at Montgomery; April Turner of Auburn University at Montgomery; and Winston Walker of Troy University. Before the luncheon and preceding MITS, the chapter hosted its annual golf tournament at Wynlakes Golf and Country Club. The event raised a record-setting $160,000-plus in sponsorships and donations from nearly 60 corporate sponsors. The funds directly support the chapters Education Foundation efforts in providing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related grants, scholarships and other monetary support to local students in financial need. The chapter extends sincere thanks to all corporate sponsors who donated generously in support of the Education Foundations efforts. The chapter also congratulates the award winners and gives many thanks to Gen. Shea for visiting Montgomery to see the great work of the chapters Education Foundation on behalf of deserving students and academia in the River Region. The chapter thanks IBM, the Education Foundation annual luncheon corporate sponsor for the third consecutive year. The chapter also is grateful to the many corporate donors who continue to support the Education Foundations efforts year after year and enable the chapter to have the privilege of providing grants, scholarships and support to hard-working students and local educational institutions.