The chapter convened government, military and industry leaders for its annual Military IT and Cyber Leadership Awards program, recognizing individuals and teams whose contributions advanced mission readiness, operational resilience and innovation across the joint force. The event highlighted achievements spanning the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard and Joint Command communities, reflecting the growing role of cyber operations, secure communications and data-driven capabilities in modern warfare.

The program featured keynote remarks from Lt. Gen. Paul Stanton, commander of the Department of War Cyber Defense Command, and director of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). The discussion focused on the importance of resilient networks, operational communications and cyber capabilities in supporting military missions across contested environments. Examples from recent operations underscored the role of secure communications an … Read more

The chapter proudly concluded its flagship event, the Tidewater Integrated Combat Symposium (TWICS) 2026, held May 4-6 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Virginia. This year's symposium centered on a critical mission: TWICS 2026 Theme: Highlighting Relevant Technologies That Will Shape the Combat Air Forces To Be a Little More Ready for Tomorrow.

The event saw 906 total registrations and was made possible by the incredible support of our partners, including Title Sponsors World Wide Technology, AV3 and Google Public Sector, alongside the dedication of more than 100 volunteers.

TWICS 2026 delivered unparalleled educational value through eight keynote speakers, 35 breakout sessions and 10 specialized training sessions. The main exhibit hall featured 65 vendors, including 12 government and academia booths. A major operational highlight was Raptor Town, a venue emphasizing industry-warfighter synergy that hosted 29 vendors and drew approximately 250 attende … Read more

AFCEA NOVA's Space Force IT Day 2026 brought together government, military and industry leaders for a powerful day of discussion focused on this year's theme, From Infrastructure to Impact: Delivering Digital Combat Power.

Held at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Virginia, the event highlighted how the U.S. Space Force and its mission partners are advancing cyber, data, AI, acquisition and operational capabilities to support the future fight.
Thank you to all of our distinguished speakers, moderators, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees who made this event such a success. Special appreciation to chapter leadership and Space Force IT Day planning committee for delivering an impactful program that fostered meaningful conversations and collaboration across the space and defense community.

The event brought together leaders from across the Space Force, Department of War, allied partners, industry, government, military and more to discuss key topics includi … Read more

In May, the chapter hosted a luncheon centered on Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA's) Digital Strategy and the role of artificial intelligence (AI), the agency's approach to AI, some use cases, workforce considerations and what's next for its AI journey. The program keynote was given by Adarryl M. Roberts, director of DLA Information Operations (J6) and chief information officer (CIO). In his role, Roberts is responsible for coordinating and integrating information technology policies, planning, acquisition and investment management across DLA in support of Department of Defense (DOD) missions. The event brought together government and industry professionals to explore the role of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and data-driven capabilities. The event convened government and industry leaders to examine how emerging technologies are shaping the DLA's mission, the agency's approach to AI adoption, current and potential use cases, workforce considerations and the path for … Read more

In April, the chapter hosted its Future of GSA Schedules: GSA Updates & VA TAC Insights event at the Oyster Point Hotel, Red Bank, New Jersey, drawing more than 100 government and industry professionals.

The keynote presentation by Joel Lundy focused on the Office of Centralized Acquisition Services (OCAS), a centralized procurement office launched in 2025 to streamline acquisition of common goods and services. Lundy highlighted the OCAS' expanding role in managing information technology (IT) contracting for agencies such as the Office of Personnel Management, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with plans to support major government-wide vehicles. Early results from the pilot show a 37% improvement in procurement efficiency, reduced procurement lead times to approximately 38 days, and millions in cost savings through enterprise buying strategies. The OCAS is also piloting artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools to furt … Read more

In April, the chapter hosted a luncheon focusing on Decision Advantage at Speed: Jupiter, Advana, WAR Platform and the Wingman Future. The event brought together government and industry professionals to explore the role of emerging technologies and data-driven capabilities in supporting faster, more informed decision-making. The program featured Erica Thomas, director for Digital Transformation at the U.S. Department of War, and Jane Roberts, chief of Product Division for the War Data Platform within the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO). The discussion was moderated by Col. Evert Hawk, USA (Ret.), of the AFCEA NOVA Chapter. In addition to the program, the chapter recognized outstanding contributions to the chapter. Hawk was named SuperNOVA of the Month, Kyle McClain was recognized as Emerging Leader of the Month and Oracle was honored as Company Sponsor of the Month. The event was supported by Silver Sponsors Oracle and Qualys.

In March 2026, the chapter hosted the workshop Information Synergies for Future Security at the premises of the Club of Rome (COR) in Rome. The event, organized in collaboration with Sistemi & Automazione-an AFCEA corporate member-brought together representatives from institutions, armed forces, industry and academia for a high-level discussion on the evolving role of information in security and defence.

The event was opened by Gen. Antonio Tangorra, ITAF (Ret.), who reaffirmed the role of the chapter as a key platform for dialogue between public and private stakeholders on topics related to security, innovation and technological development.

Gen. Div. Sandro Sanasi, commander of the COR, highlighted the increasing centrality of information in modern operational contexts, characterized by growing complexity, multidomain integration and the need for enhanced interoperability.

The technical session was introduced by Roberto De Finis, Sistemi & Automazione, whose p … Read more

In February, Pam Petersen, STEM director, Metropolitan Community College (MCC), Omaha, Nebraska, spent time with the chapter, sharing information about the MCC Prototype Design Lab. Petersen began with a little history about the Fort Omaha Campus, and how the U.S. Army did intelligence at Fort Omaha between 1908 to 1913 as part of the Signal Corps.

Petersen talked about the Prototype Lab's hours of operation and the costs of membership. She explained the membership fees provide full access to all equipment and software within the facility once a mandatory safety course is completed.

Petersen also told the story of a married couple running their entire business out of the MCC Prototype Design Lab until they got to a point where they bought a home and obtained their own equipment. Petersen said that the lab has over 10,000 square feet of space made up of five primary rooms, along with a design and 3D-printing space that uses resin, bamboo and gypsum. It features a compl … Read more

The annual State of the BES luncheon provides an opportunity for the director of Business Enterprise Systems (BES) to both recognize the past year's accomplishments and, more importantly, articulate where industry partnership is essential to achieving future objectives. During this year's event, attended by a mix of 153 industry and government professionals, Alvin F. Burse, a member of the Senior Executive Service, and program executive officer (PEO) and director, BES Directorate, outlined the BES's most pressing challenges and highlighted how industry can help address them.
Burse emphasized that the Department of the Air Force (DAF) is undergoing a cultural shift in which acquisition is now recognized as a warfighting function. As a result, the BES must deliver rapid improvements to the DAF and Department of War mission outcomes, with speed, efficiency and quality treated as mission imperatives. Additional challenges include increasing competition and responsiveness to operati … Read more

In January, Darren Petrie, AI delivery architect, General Dynamics Information Technology, Falls Church, Virginia, spent time with the chapter, sharing his thoughts on the augmented information technology (IT) professional. Petrie stated up front that artificial intelligence (AI) is not a product category-it is a capability amplifier. For decades, IT in the Department of War (DOW) has been measured by uptime, tickets closed and systems patched. All important work, but still invisible work. AI changes that. Not by replacing the people, but by connecting IT effort directly to mission outcomes. The question is not "Will AI replace IT professionals?" The real question is "Which organizations will augment their employees fast enough to matter?" Petrie touched on how the cloud would not have come into being without DevSecOps; similarly, he commented on how ChatGPT had a similar impact on AI by contributing to the AI explosion. Petrie talked about how AI agents run autonomously-these are … Read more

The chapter kicked off 2026 with the swearing in of new and returning board of directors:
Kelly Jenne, chapter president
Kailey Cornick, chapter executive vice president
Danielle Thomasson, chapter secretary
Zeib Parvez, chapter treasurer
Eric Johnson, chapter vice president of programs
Eric Davis, chapter vice president of education
Beth Armistead, chapter vice president of awards
Faith Brent, chapter vice president of communications
Rebecca Newberry, chapter vice president of membership
Capt. Brett O'Donovan, chapter vice president of military affairs
Caitlin Johnson, chapter vice president of Maritime IT Summit
Danna Kassis, chapter vice president of Emerging Leaders
Amy Yendell, chapter chair of small business
Teresa Duvall*, chapter chair of special programs
Neil Bourassa*, chapter historian
Larry Minnick*, special activities, golf
Caitlin Johnson, immediate past chapter president
Matthew Umphlet, webmaster
*denotes past … Read more

The chapter hosted its annual Fall Gala with a theme of Harvesting Innovation. The guest speaker, Col. Joseph L. Heyman, spoke about the challenges of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into operations faced by the Department of Defense. Additionally, students ranging from high school seniors to college sophomores presented their research on the Pentagon's AI hierarchy of needs. The chapter was honored to celebrate three scholarships recipients. The winners received a one-year academic scholarship paid for by the chapter.

Scholarship Awardees:
$3,000
Kaitlynn Lynn
University of Alabama - Huntsville, Cybersecurity Engineering

$1,500
Giles Burnett
Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering

AJ Teter
Mississippi State University, Aerospace Engineering

In April, in addition to discussing today's complex security environment and current reserve component competencies, Brig. Gen. Reid Novotny, ANG, National Guard Bureau A2/6, spoke on the importance of integrating the military cyber community with industry expertise through organizations such as AFCEA International.

One of the chapter's goals is to educate and inspire the next generation of technical professionals. The chapter started the Summer Intern Presentation Showcase (SIPS) several years ago to do just that. SIPS is an opportunity for summer interns from sponsors in the chapter to practice their presentation skills and demonstrate their technical prowess. This showcase gave interns the opportunity to present their summer projects in front of a diverse audience.

In August, four companies (Clarity Business Solutions, Praxis Engineering, System Architects Group and Visionist, Inc.) sponsored 12 students to make six presentations. Students received professional presentation coaching from David Taylor, Lohfeld Consulting, in three separate sessions before the final presentation. More than 50 people witnessed the presentations, including three judges from sponsor organizations: Joseph Karolchik, Nteligen; Maria Jones, Calibyr; and Ryan Hendrickson, Pointer Technologies; and timekeeper, … Read more

The chapter had the privilege of welcoming back Maj. Gen. Dave Yarker, head of the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command, as their guest speaker during an executive breakfast. Although the Cyber Command is still in its early stages-just eight months since its establishment-progress has already been made, both domestically and on deployed operations.

Yarker provided valuable insights into the planning, coordination and integration in the focus areas of defensive and offensive cyber operations, signals intelligence and joint electronic warfare.

While acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead, he expressed a strong sense of optimism about the path forward, highlighting that a broadly secure Canada remains well within reach.

In June, Kenneth Moreano, president and CEO, Scott Data Center, Omaha, Nebraska, took time to apprise the chapter assembly on the attributes of the Scott Data Center and how it has evolved. Moreano exclaimed admiration for Walter Scott Jr., what he has done to foster education via scholarships and for supporting the development of the Scott Data Center. The center was initially built to host the U.S. Department of Defense. It was intended to be a defense collaboration area for the collocation of military, industry and academia. The facility boasted a Tier III Uptime Certification, meaning it could undergo maintenance and repairs without causing downtime for the information technology (IT) operations it supports. Since 2006, the center has had no outages of equipment with 100% uptime. Moreano commented that the center has grown to provide support to 110 customers at multiple U.S. locations. They have grown to provide consultancy for designers and owners in the data center space. The … Read more

The Huntsville location is a key epicenter for warfighter defense across the world!

With that said, 2025 has been busy with the chapter's Tech Luncheons, Emerging Leaders Mentorship Social and Monthly Membership Events. Speakers have included the program executive officer for Program Executive Office (PEO) Missiles and Space, director of Defense Intelligence Agency Missiles and Space Intelligence Center, executive director for Joint Program Office Guam Defense System, Army Materiel Command G-2 deputy chief of staff and the PEO Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors Infrared Countermeasures project manager speaking on topics such as the Golden Dome, contested logistics, the China threat, artificial intelligence, modeling and simulation, and cybersecurity utilization and needs within their offices in the United States, Ukraine and Indo-Pacific Command.

After being dormant during COVID-19, the chapter has established new leadership and is getting its feet on the groun … Read more

The chapter was joined by Steve Hindle, who was formerly with the British government intelligence community and is now CEO of Simple Security and founder of Achilles Shield. Hindle discussed the current cybersecurity crises in the world and how to combat today's current threat landscape. Ransomware attacks are set to drastically exceed previous years, and not only are there more attacks, the average time to exploit sensitive information is down to just minutes. Another interesting fact that Hindle shared was that North Korea operatives have infiltrated roughly 7% of Fortune 2000 companies. Considering the recent events in the Middle East, Hindle discussed the possibility of retaliation by Iran via cyber attacks. Companies and individuals should take preemptive measures to patch up networks and secure their data now before it's too late.

In June, Mike Sanjume, Deputy Program Executive Office, Battle Management, Command, Control, Communications and Space Intelligence, U.S. Space Force, discussed his evolving portfolio as the Space Force implements Mission and System Deltas.

In May, Col. Andrew Frey, USAF, commander, 2nd Weather Group, 557th Weather Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, shared his thoughts with the chapter on the 557th Weather Wing, America's Weather Wing. Frey pointed out that more than 60% of Americans check the weather daily. People think about what activities they can engage in, then things become more technical and specific.

It is this specificity that drives people to obtain input that is more interoperable, correct and integrated when it comes to weather. Frey commented that for the past 25 years, U.S. forces have operated in the Middle East. He clarified that weather can be considered innocuous, but it's often ubiquitous and indifferent to geopolitical boundaries. In other words, the right weather information can underpin a decision advantage.

Frey discussed how the 55th Weather Wing was born from the former Air Force Weather Agency. He talked about the 557th Weather Wing's enterprise role. They maintain the U.S … Read more

In May, AFCEA International Regional Vice President for Central and Eastern Europe Petr Jirasek presented the Regional Meritorious Service Award to Katerina Anna Magnna, government affairs lead for the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary at Microsoft, in recognition of her outstanding and long-term collaboration with the chapter.

The award honors Magnna's sustained contributions to the success of the chapter's conferences and initiatives, particularly in the areas of responsible artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and digital transformation. Her leadership has played a vital role in promoting ethical standards and socially responsible approaches in the rapidly evolving field of AI.

Through her professional expertise and ability to connect government, industry and academia, Magnna has helped to foster informed discussion and practical understanding of responsible AI practices. Her support has been instrumental in advancing public and private sector inno … Read more

The May luncheon showcased the meaningful conversations and collaborations the chapter fosters. Titled "Navigating the Future of AI Is Now - Harnessing Opportunities and Addressing Challenges in DOD and Intelligence," the event convened leaders from industry, military and government to explore the fast-moving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI).

GovTribe's Emily Wolfteich opened the program with a data-rich overview of AI activity across government, noting a clear push to scale AI through interoperable solutions, stronger leadership and increased industry engagement. She highlighted recent contract awards as signals of the government's commitment to embedding AI across all domains.

Chapter President Becci DeFrank reaffirmed the chapter's commitment to STEM education, celebrating that the chapter has awarded over $2.9 million in scholarships since 1989. She introduced Chapter Vice President of STEM Jon Jumento, who recognized this year's recipients and honored the … Read more

In April, the chapter held an annual conference in Rome at the Casa dell'Aviatore, entitled Defending Against Fake News, Digital Interceptions and Information Manipulation: the Role of AI. The event explored the link between disinformation, hybrid threats and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a strategic tool for cybersecurity and cognitive defense.

Lt. Gen. Antonio Tangorra opened the meeting, emphasizing the urgency of addressing disinformation and digital manipulation, increasingly relevant threats to national security and the resilience of democratic societies.

Chiara Camerani, CEPIC, highlighted how disinformation thrives on infodemia, functional illiteracy and cognitive bias. Social media and algorithms reinforce these dynamics, fostering polarization and the propagation of conspiracy, which can lead to violent extremism.

Maria Felicita Mucci, Systems & Automation, illustrated how AI, combined with graph analysis, is able to dismantle disinformati … Read more

In April, Maj. Gen. Christopher Eubank, USA, chief of staff, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, shared his thoughts with the Greater Omaha Chapter on USSTRATCOM challenges. Eubank initially thanked AFCEA for developing opportunities to help instill STEM expertise in youth and professionals in the Greater Omaha Area. He added this investment directly supports the lines of effort necessary to ensure our nation is poised to succeed through today's unique global challenges. Eubank also talked about the challenges today's military is facing. He mentioned that the Cold War pitted the United States against a single enemy, and in today's environment we're confronted by two nuclear powers, the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation. Eubank discussed the current strategic environment, that it is currently layered across multiple domains. Our adversaries have had years to study our vulnerabilities. And they've had time to create asymmetric appr … Read more

The chapter kicked off 2025 with an awards ceremony giving away $5,000 for its STEM Teaching Tools Awards (STTA).

Every year, the chapter promotes effective STEM education by enhancing the resources available to STEM teachers in middle and secondary schools in the Hampton Roads area through a joint effort of the AFCEA International Educational Foundation and the chapter. Five teachers from three different schools in the area were awarded and brought some of their STEM students.

Congratulations to all our STTA recipients:
Sarah McDonald, Lakeland High School, Suffolk, Virginia
Heather McGee, Lakeland High School
Amy Jacobs, Lakeland High School
Joey Seal, Nansemond Suffolk Academy, Suffolk, Virginia
James Reich, teaching, Virginia Beach Advanced Technology Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Following the awards ceremony, the chapter swore in its new and returning board of directors:

Caitlin Johnson, president
Kelly Jen … Read more

The chapter participated in "AI at the Edge," a competition organized by MotoUP, a San Antonio nonprofit supporting combat-wounded veterans through motorsports. The event united leaders from the U.S. Air Force, industry and the chapter to inspire creativity, share knowledge and showcase artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, enhancing the racing experience and warfighter effectiveness at the Edge.

Co-hosted by Dell Technologies and Intel at the Dell Customer Solutions Center in Round Rock, Texas, the competition featured four teams of five to 15 members, both on-site and remote. Each team delivered 30-minute presentations judged on AI implementation effectiveness, relevance to motorcycle racing and federal use cases, audience engagement and solution clarity. The event encouraged cross-disciplinary collaboration and skill-sharing.

The chapter's team, Cyber ACES, included U.S. Department of Defense civilians, active-duty military and industry partners from the U … Read more

In April, Maj. Gen. Chris Zimmer, Digital Services Group (DSG), walked attendees through how the DSG intends to break down stovepipes and shift paradigms of the existing 170-plus networks and more than 3,000 apps to create a DSG for tomorrow.

During the chapter's luncheon, the chief digital transformation/defence chief data officer described his role as being as difficult as "solving world hunger." Zimmer discussed the seven priorities for the group, including the strategy on data, artificial intelligence and cloud. He also highlighted the need to be a global member and credible partner within the Five Eyes to help with the journey.

The February chapter luncheon led by Indira Rice Donegan brought together industry leaders to explore the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, focusing on the critical framework of zero-trust (ZT) defense. The event featured a series of insightful discussions that highlighted the journey toward implementing effective ZT strategies.

Randy Resnick, senior advisor for the Zero Trust Office at the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Information Officer (CIO), delivered a compelling keynote address that emphasized the importance of collaboration in developing actionable ZT architectures. His insights underscored how collective efforts can significantly enhance cybersecurity measures across various sectors.

DoD is at the forefront of ZT solutions, setting a benchmark that other federal civilian agencies aspire to replicate. This leadership role is crucial for establishing robust standards in a rapidly changing cyber environment.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ben Koo … Read more

Over three action-packed days, 1,100 members of the defense community came together to tackle the most pressing issues shaping our national security-artificial intelligence (AI), force structure and modernization, autonomy, software acquisition and talent development.

What sets New Horizons apart is its agility and future-focused mindset. This year was no exception. The chapter:

- Pivoted mid-conference to host a senior leader who addressed a game-changing defense directive released just five days prior.
- Empowered attendees to select a cash-prize winner in real time for our dual-use technology pitch competition.
- Witnessed the jaw-dropping power of AI in autonomy through a demonstration from a distinguished Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor.

Sponsors-your generosity fuels the mission! Thanks to your support, the chapter continues to make an impact, from helping Veterans Inc. care for veterans to funding STEM education for futu … Read more

The chapter's first luncheon of 2025 was held in January and featured an in-depth presentation from Nicholaus Saacks, deputy program executive officer (PEO), Program Executive Office-Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors (IEW&S). Saacks filled in for Brig. Gen. Ed Barker, USA, following a reschedule of the event to work around the National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter.

Presenting an all-new briefing and command video, Saacks delved into the PEO's focus areas of Army modernization, organizational agility and customer-driven partnerships. He highlighted the cross-cutting support that IEW&S provides to Transformation in Contact (TIC) and Tactical Exploitation National Capabilities-Army (TENCAP) initiatives, as well as alignment of the portfolio with Next-Generation Command & Control (C2) requirements. Saacks also touted the significant work that the PEO is doing to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities, providing … Read more

In March, the chapter had the honor and privilege of serving as judges for the 74th Annual Tidewater Science and Engineering Fair.

The Tidewater Science Congress aims to inspire middle and high school students in the Hampton Roads, Virginia, area by engaging them in research, engineering design and technical writing-essential skills for effectively communicating their findings. Through the annual Tidewater Science and Engineering Fair, students can present their projects to judges from academia and industry. To ensure students can advance to state and national competitions, the congress aligns its protocols, application process and evaluation criteria with those of the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

A big 'thank you' goes out to all who volunteered to serve as judges at the 2025 Tidewater Science and Engineering Fair. The chapter had the largest contingent of judges in the Specialty category of an o … Read more

In January, Faisal Hoque, a renowned management thinker, technologist and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author, shared his thoughts with the chapter on building artificial intelligence (AI)-empowered government agencies. AI profoundly changes how things are done. There is a long history with AI, such as mechanical decision tools designed by Leonardo da Vinci and others. Hoque commented we need to look beyond the hype of generative AI to see what is actually happening.

Hoque touched on some of the military and intelligence success stories. For example, the Pentagon's joint all-domain command and control (JADC2) program that integrates multiservice data to reduce battlefield decision cycles from hours to minutes. Hoque said the current AI landscape today consists of three main categories: analytical AI, workflow automation and generative AI. He pointed out that because the technology is much more accessible, there are ramifications. Hoque mentioned a new AI of tomorrow c … Read more

In January, Theresa Pines, chapter senior vice president, hosted a noteworthy luncheon featuring discussions on the upcoming strategy from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). The event began with insights from Christie Bardo, executive vice president of Marketing Intelligence at GovExec, who highlighted that DISA has awarded a remarkable $37 billion in contracts over the past decade. Notably, small businesses received 17% of DISA's funding in the last year, indicating substantial opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Bardo also emphasized that under the new administration, artificial intelligence initiatives and regulatory frameworks will play a crucial role in DISA's strategic direction.

The luncheon progressed with Jennifer Grijalva from HashiCorp introducing the keynote speaker, DISA's Deputy Director Christopher Barnhurst. He addressed the current threat landscape, underscoring the necessity of public-private partnerships to effectively com … Read more

In November, the chapter organized the 'Disruptive Technologies Enabling Defence and Security' conference to explore the role of disruptive technologies in defense and security, involving institutional, academic and industrial experts.

Lt. Gen. Antonio Tangorra, ITAF (Ret.), chapter president, opened the day by emphasizing the importance of emerging technologies.

In his speech 'Disruptive Technologies and Strategic Autonomy: Challenges and Opportunities of the Next European Commission,' Vittorio Calaprice outlined the European Union's priorities to address economic and geopolitical challenges, focusing on innovation and resilience. Rear Adm. Massimo Esposito, Italian Navy (Ret.), general manager of AFCEA Europe, discussed 'New Technologies and Future Wars' and outlined how EDTs are transforming conflicts and the role of AFCEA.

Massimo Artini and Cmdr. Raffaele Rotella introduced respectively DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic), NATO's … Read more

In October, the chapter once again joined forces with the local Association of Old Crows (AOC) Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG)-Susquehanna Roost to offer a joint luncheon. Featuring a panel discussion by representatives of Project Manager Electronic Warfare & Cyber (PM EW&C), this event highlighted priorities related to the development and fielding of integrated capabilities for spectrum warfare.

The distinguished panelists included Noel H. Lynkew, product lead, Electronic Attack; Lt. Col. John P. Cross, USA, product manager, Terrestrial Spectrum Warfare; Lt. Col. Troy D. Merkel, USA, product manager, Electronic Warfare Integration; and Garry Moore, product lead, Strategic Spectrum Warfare. Each panelist provided an overview of their portfolio, including future priorities and upcoming opportunities for industry collaboration. This engagement with industry partners is critical to deliver Signals Intelligence and Electronic Warfare, Electronic Attack Protection Support, and … Read more

In October, the conference Cybersecurity in Constant Evolution was held at the Casa dell'Aviatore in Rome, organized by the chapter together with Fortinet.

In the context of digital transformation, the cloud is confirming itself as an important growth trend with innovative services such as SASE (Secure Access Service Edge), which combines advanced data transport technologies (SD-WAN) with advanced SSE (Security Service Edge) security services such as: Zero Trust Network Access, Next-Generation Firewall, Secure Web Gateway, Cloud Access Security Broker. Mobile security and zero-trust access to services are increasingly demanded by all organizations.

The large amount of data and information requires analysis tools based on machine learning and generative AI, with the ability to identify anomalies quickly and ensure adequate reaction times.

In recent years, it has become increasingly important to anticipate the detection of cyber threats, particularly in the initia … Read more

The 2024 AFCEA DC Tech Summit, hosted on October 24 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, has earned widespread acclaim for its innovative agenda and in-depth exploration of critical cybersecurity issues. The event centered on the challenges and opportunities arising from intensified global power competition, showcasing groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), zero-trust architectures and the integration of emerging technologies within defense operations.

As cyber threats increasingly target the United States through influence campaigns, data breaches and attempts to penetrate government systems, the summit provided an essential platform for addressing these dangers. High-profile incidents like the SolarWinds hack and Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack underline the stakes involved, jeopardizing both national security and economic stability. Against this backdrop, the summit brought together leaders from government, military, academia and t … Read more

The chapter's 2024-2025 Luncheon Series kicked off with a remarkable Multi-Cloud Luncheon that highlighted the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (NGA) multicloud road map, presented by James Cherry. His insights underscored the critical nature of the NGA's cloud strategy, emphasizing that it is fundamentally a data strategy. Ensuring the right data reaches the warfighter at the right time is not just a goal; it is a priority that shapes the NGA's approach to cloud infrastructure.

The luncheon featured a panel discussion moderated by Kimberly Underwood, director of digital news media, AFCEA International, which proved to be a rich source of knowledge and perspective. Panelist Darek Kitlinski emphasized the importance of establishing landing zones and common shared services, which are essential for facilitating collaboration and efficiency in cloud operations. Lt. Hollie Parrish provided a valuable perspective on the role of FedRamp and Department of Defense sponso … Read more

The chapter kicked off the U.S. Marine Corps' 249th birthday month with Col. Edward Healey, afloat deputy commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, and a cake-cutting ceremony, honoring the time-honored tradition, celebrating the birth of the illustrious Corps. The youngest Marine present was Sgt. Joseph Bonilla, USMC, from ESG-2, and the oldest Marine present was long-time Hampton Roads Chapter board member and retired USMC Col. Dennis Garcia.

Col. Healey began his discussion with the latest update to the USMC's Force Design 2030 and what that means for the updated strategic guidance, as the United States' priorities turn away from terrorism and toward "divest to invest."

"Marines are ready to fight all over the globe," Col. Healey said, but the characteristics of war are changing.

In recent years, the Marine Corps has made many strides toward modernization, including the following innovations: the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, the Amphibious Co … Read more

The chapter lined up industry leaders to include keynote speaker, Dr. David Rhew, global chief medical officer at Microsoft; John Larson, executive vice president, artificial intelligence (AI) practice lead at Booz Allen; and Dr. Mike Uohara, chief medical informatics officer at Booz Allen Hamilton. A panel discussion was held with all speakers and SAIC's director of data science, Shweta Mulcare, discussing the impact of artificial intelligence in the health care spectrum.

The conversations highlighted exploration of high impact/low risk use cases aimed at improving outcomes and processes without risking patient safety, how to operationalize responsible AI principles within your organization and the health care industry, as well as best practices to build AI systems that rapidly transition from lab to production and accelerate time to impact using real-world case studies.

The panelists showcased how health care agencies are embracing mission-centric AI to transform hea … Read more

The event "Digital Transformation and Resilience: Experiences and Solutions" organized by the chapter in collaboration with corporate member DigitalPlatforms (DP), was held in September at the Casa dell'Aviatore in Rome.

Lt. Gen. Antonio Tangorra, ITAF (Ret.), chapter president, introduced the event by highlighting the importance of digital transformation and related cyber resilience in defense.

The first talk was presented by Marco Braccioli, who briefly outlined DP's technology lines in the fields of energy and telecontrols, Internet of Things (IoT), electronic cards manufacturing, Tempest, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital integration. Braccioli remarked that the group produces everything presented in the conference in the various factories of the DigitalPlatforms Group in Italy.

Next, Lorenzo Chiapponi, DP Infrastructures, in his speech "Digital Transformation for Energy," illustrated the production of digital telecontrols for high and … Read more

The chapter hosted a monthly luncheon in August, at Water's Edge Event Center in Belcamp, Maryland, featuring Ralph A. Troisio, deputy assistant director for Aviation and Electronic Warfare Systems under the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Developmental Command (DEVCOM) C5ISR Center Research and Technology Integration (RTI) Directorate. This public address marked Troisio's final engagement prior to his retirement from federal service after a storied career of more than 36 years.

Troisio's briefing covered the work that he supported under the Spectrum Dominance, Intelligence and Survivability portfolio, overseeing the Electronic Warfare and Survivability and Radar Division. His portfolio's mission is critical to the successful transition of RTI science and technology programs to the Army Aviation and Electronic Warfare communities. Following his presentation, Troisio took the opportunity to thank the community for its support during his career. Many of his friends and colleagues … Read more

In October, Brandon Bean, solutions director of artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML), General Dynamics Information Technology, Falls Church, Virginia, shared his thoughts with the chapter on AI and where it's headed for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Bean defined AI as any machine capable of rapidly reaching a conclusion that a human would come to using logic, time and reason. He talked about the first military application in the 1950s when the U.S. Navy had been using natural AI to help decipher communications. Bean clarified how many of us have used AI because it helps search engines when performing queries. Bean talked about OpenAI developing AI Chatbots to increase productivity through writing essays and code. Bean reiterated how AI has been used in the DoD for decades. He touched on basic what-if scenarios. For example, what if I could get 10 more minutes out of my day? Or what if we had to do more with less? He emphasized that we don't want to temper our A … Read more

In October, the chapter hosted a Tech Talk sponsored by Hewlett Packard Enterprise on Fort Shafter. More than 100 local industry and defense leaders gathered for this event with a heavy focus on artificial Intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). Capt. Erik Pittman, N6, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Col. A.J. Johnson, G6, U.S. Army Pacific; CW5 Jon Stanley, J6, chief technology officer, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM); Andre J. Stridiron III, J7, USINDOPACOM Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability program manager; Scott Pierce, director of Maui High Performance Computing Center; Bill Burnham HPE chief technology officer; and Ron Fritzemeier, INTEL, rounded out a panel of subject matter experts in attendance. They led in with a discussion on the AI/ML technology, tools and architecture needed to extract value from data, enable new capabilities and drive digital transformation. The rapid advancements of AI as it continues to evolve present both unprecedented oppor … Read more

In August, Elizabeth Durham-Ruiz, director, Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems, and chief information officer, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, shared her thoughts with the chapter on how STRATCOM is making use of artificial intelligence (AI) to aid the warfighter. Durham-Ruiz took a moment to reflect and pointed out she has been a huge supporter/advocate for AFCEA for many years.

Durham-Ruiz talked about how AI can be used to assist the workforce and with decision-making. A key mission for USSTRATCOM is ensuring they remain in constant contact with nuclear forces. She discussed how their J65 office was stood up over three years ago with the first chief data officer to make key decisions about governance of data. The challenge was looking at how they could integrate AI and provide value to the command and the warfighter. She commented on Gen. Anthony Cotton's vision for AI-how AI will always have a human in the loop, but … Read more

In July, the chapter organized the conference "Resilience: Operational Solutions To Support Data and Communications Management." The conference topics presented an overview of the challenges of new cyber threats supported by artificial intelligence technology and outlined strategies to strengthen the digital resilience of networks and data management assets against such threats.

After a welcome by Lt. Gen. Antonio Tangorra, ITAF (Ret.), chapter president, Brig. Gen. Davide Pilatti, commander of the Italian Army Transmission Department, underlined the strong relationship that has bound the chapter to the Transmission Command for years. Therefore, various military and industry speakers spoke at the event with remarkable presentations. The first talk, "Cyber Resilience of Military Telecommunications: Military Requirements," was given by Pilatti.

The first speech for corporate was Nicola Grandis, DigitalPlatforms: "Multidomain Scenarios: Artificial Intelligence for Defence … Read more

The chapter welcomed back its annual Scholarship Awards Dinner at the Water's Edge Events Center River Watch facility in June. Held for the first time since 2019 and generously sponsored by Data Systems Analysts Inc. (DSA), this event offered an opportunity to celebrate the recipients of the chapter's STEM Education scholarship and grants.

In 2024, the chapter donated $30,000 in scholarships to local high school and college students and welcomed several of its 2023 recipients to this year's event. Chapter Vice President of Education David Patrick, assisted by DSA Chief Operating Officer Kathleen Kirk, presented certificates of recognition to all recipients, including 2024 graduates from Havre de Grace High, Bel Air High and Aberdeen High; rising sophomores at the University of Delaware and the University of Maryland College Park; and returning 2023 awardees formerly of Aberdeen High, Fallston High, Notre Dame Preparatory High and Edgewood High.

The evening's program wa … Read more

The chapter welcomed Col. Shermoan Daiyaan, USA, the new program manager (PM) for Mission Command (MC) under Program Executive Office (PEO) Command, Control, Communications - Tactical (C3T) for its June luncheon. The PM MC develops, deploys and sustains integrated mission command and situational awareness capabilities for the Army and joint forces to enable movement and maneuver, command and control, fires, sustainment, protection, intelligence and engagement.

Daiyaan addressed the audience to discuss PM MC's Move to Modularity and collaboration with Science & Technology divisions on next-generation command and control capabilities. This includes a focus on aerial tier integrated tactical network experimentation. Daiyaan highlighted several upcoming requests for information and industry engagements planned to connect with the defense industrial base, including PEO C3T's upcoming technical exchange meeting in December 2024. The chapter's June event was held at Water's Edge Eve … Read more

The chapter kicked off the August luncheon with an awards ceremony for its 2024 Undergraduate Scholarship Program recipients.

The chapter awarded merit-based scholarships to outstanding students from the Southside Hampton Roads area (cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach). These scholarships support students pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree in one of the STEM disciplines.

These majors will prepare the student for a professional career that supports AFCEA's focus on military communications, cybersecurity, electronics, information technology, data and intelligence systems.

Congratulations to all scholarship recipients! Aamir R., George Mason University; Anthony U, Old Dominion University; David S., Princeton University; Eleanor W., William & Mary; Frederic W., University of Virginia; Gabriel M., Tuskegee University; Grayson B., Virginia Tech; Joshua S., Virginia Tech; Margaret C., Virginia Tech; Robert T., Old Dominion U … Read more

One of the chapter's goals is to educate and inspire the next generation of technical professionals. The chapter started the Student Intern Presentation Showcase (SIPS) several years ago to do just that. SIPS is an opportunity offered by sponsors in the chapter in which summer interns can practice their presentation skills and demonstrate their technical prowess.

The August showcase allowed interns to present their summer projects in front of a diverse audience. Five companies (Belay Technologies, Clarity Business Solutions, Leidos, Praxis Engineering and Visionist Inc.) sponsored 16 students to make seven presentations. Students received professional presentation coaching from David Taylor, Lohfeld Consulting, in three separate sessions before the final presentation. More than 50 people witnessed the presentations, including three judges from sponsor organizations: Joseph Karolchik, Nteligen; Maria Jones, Calibyr; and Ryan Hendrickson, Pointer Technologies, and the chapter' … Read more