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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 02/25/2025
In February, the chapter hosted a Tabletop Cybersecurity Exercise facilitated by U.S. Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).The focus was on how to prepare, respond and recover from attacks that might come from many fronts. The event lasted through the afternoon and brought together approximately 60 participants, from federal, state and local governments, along with relevant industry. This is a highly anticipated activity that leads into the annual Homeland Security Conference. |
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 01/26/2023
In January, chapter members visited Curiosity Lab in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. This economic development initiative by the city of Peachtree Corners is a living laboratory for startups and established companies. It allows them to deploy and prove developing technologies in a real-world testing environment with no roadblocks, joined by the next generation of intelligent mobility and smart city technology. Curiosity Lab is located in the 500-acre Technology Park and publicly funded and owned by the city to further develop the premier smart city ecosystem in the United States. Louis Svehla, director of communications for the city, gave a presentation and provided a tour of the facility.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 07/26/2022
Recently the chapter hosted a Small Business Symposium focused on helping small businesses take the next step in the government arena. Richard Yeargin gave the opening motivational speech, and the keynote was given by Tracey Grace, president and CEO of IBEX IT Business Experts. Breakout sessions and a panel on "The Business of Government" boasted representatives from different government sectors, and a social networking session capped off the day. This event, the second in the chapter's Small Business Series following last year's Roundtable Workshop, allowed members to engage directly with speakers, panelists and sponsors to glean knowledge and help companies move to the next level. The event brought in many new members and re-energized a few more. Following this success, the Small Business Committee led by Stacy Vaughn and Kurt Schmid is already planning the next steps. |
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 12/15/2021
Members of the chapter met to assemble 2,000 goodie bags as they prepared to support Operation Holiday Block Leave over the Christmas holidays. This event was hosted by TEKsystems (one of the more active corporate members in the Atlanta area) and coincided with their holiday potluck. Many of the TEKsystems staff jumped in and made quick work. All bags were stuffed and loaded to go in about two hours.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 12/20/2021
More than twenty people came out to volunteer for the chapter's annual support of Operation Holiday Block Leave at Hartfield-Jackson Airport. This was a 24-hour period where approximately 2,000 troops came through the United Service Organizations (USO) as they headed home for the holidays. In anticipation of this event, the chapter met earlier in the month and assembled 2,000 goodie bags with an assortment of snacks to help during travels. The chapter has supported the USO for this event for more than 15 years and judging by the turn out, it remains very popular with the members!
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 09/23/2021 In September, Marilyn Jackson, chapter vice president of small business, opened the AFCEA Atlanta Small Business Roundtable with guest speaker, Tan Wilson, chair, AFCEA Small Business Committee, and CEO of Entellect LLC. Wilson gave an energetic update on how AFCEA International has responded to COVID-19 challenges for its small business members. She revealed numerous resources that have been committed to this vital part of AFCEA International. The second session in the luncheon was a panel including Wilson, Lauren Wingate, chapter vice president of membership and vice president of strategic development for TJFACT LLC, and Stacy Vaughn, business strategist for D-Unity Group LLC. This successful event was designed to provide relevant information for small business members and is the first in a series. |
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 03/18/2021
Emerging Leaders for the chapter held a live networking event at the Computer Museum of America, which is the largest technology museum on the East Coast. Members of the newly formed student chapter at the University of North Georgia also attended. The evening started with a tour showcasing many computer artifacts spanning the history of computing from the CRAY-1 Supercomputer to an Enigma Machine. After the tour, members, along with guests from the Atlanta Chapter of Bunker Labs discussed local events and what's next for the Emerging Leaders.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 12/15/2020
In December, Santa Claus and members of the chapter volunteered to support Operation Holiday Block Leave. They provided much needed and welcomed help to the staff of the United Service Organization (USO) Region IV office, located at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The chapter also provided a variety of pastries and treats as soldiers spent a little layover time on their trip home for the holidays. Members wished a safe and Merry Christmas to over 2,500 military members from Fort Gordon's Communications Center of Excellence. The pictures show the volunteers providing snack treats to the troops as they headed to their boarding gates. In addition to the "goodie bags", the team worked to provide travel information, a quick bite to eat in the USO lounge, and welcomed returning troops from other parts of the country. The USO and the chapter have collaborated to support this event for over two decades.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 09/29/2018
The chapter's annual golf tournament, sponsored by several local and national companies in September, helped raise money for operation and education funds. The teams enjoyed a scramble format and lots of fun on a perfect weather day. The Envistacom team took top honors. Among the prizes was an Atlanta Braves autographed baseball bat, which was raffled off. The chapter thanks members of its board of directors and the City Club Marietta in helping with the golf fundraiser. |
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 04/20/2018.jpg)
The chapter recognized two outstanding cadets with AFCEA Honor Awards in April at Georgia Tech's ROTC military awards ceremony. David Landry and Tom Horton, members of the chapter's board of directors, presented certificates and cash awards to Juan Trejo and Alexander Henni-Roed. Annual winners are selected based on military and scholastic excellence. |
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 03/27/2018
The chapter honored Cadet Staff Sgt. Casey Johnson, Corps of Cadets, as this year's AFCEA Outstanding Cadet at the University of North Georgia Corps of Cadets Military Awards Night in March. Patricia Giesler and Paul Wertz, members of the chapter's board of directors, presented Cadet Johnson a distinctive medal, a ribbon and a cash stipend to recognize his activities at the university and his interest in AFCEA. Col. James T. Palmer, USA (Ret.), the university's commandant of cadets selects the annual winner based on military achievement and scholastic excellence. The chapter congratulates Cadet Johnson.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 01/25/2018
The chapter awarded Georgia Tech Naval ROTC Cadet Jacob Lochmann this year's Chapter Education Scholarship in January. The cadet is a senior studying mechanical engineering and will commission as a naval reactor engineer (NRE) upon graduation. The Navy awards only six NRE slots annually for this competitive position. Cadet Lochmann comes from a long line of service members, including his father, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and flew P-3 aircraft. The cadet is a member of the Georgia Tech student council and is active in his community. The chapter is proud and honored to present the cadet this year's scholarship. |
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 01/25/2018
The chapter held its annual Teaching Tool Grant Awards luncheon in late January. The chapter honors up to a dozen STEM-focused teachers in the Atlanta region with stipends to help purchase materials, services or supplies for a STEM-related activity with their students. This year's winners include Sheila Harmony of Coleman Middle School, Kimberly Hutcheson of Baker Elementary School and Maria Brown of Washington Park Elementary School. The teachers provided a synopsis of how they intend to use the funds, explained how they shape their young charges and pledged to share pictures and updates with the chapter.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 12/01/2016
The chapter again supported the USO at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in December for Fort Gordon's and Fort Benning's annual Holiday Block Leave in which thousands of soldiers arrive in Atlanta by bus from those installations to travel home for the holidays. Before the event, numerous chapter members gathered to prepare more than 2,000 bags of snacks and treats to pass out to soldiers as they arrived at the terminal to catch their flights. The operation took place in the wee hours to reduce the effect of the arriving soldiers on the already high volume of holiday travelers. Mayfield Dairy of Atlanta provided much-appreciated cartons and bottles of milk, juice and water for the USO to distribute free to these soldiers and thousands of other service members and their families who travelled through the airport. Chapter members always look forward to this opportunity each year to welcome the soldiers to Atlanta and thank them for their service as they head home. |
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 02/25/2016_-_Julie_Goetz_w_Scholarship_Check.jpg)
The two recipients of the 2016 AFCEA Atlanta college scholarships were honored at the chapter's February luncheon. The first recipient, Aaron Royer, is a mechanical engineering student at Georgia Tech and is also a member of the Marine Corps NROTC program there. The second recipient, Austin Little, attends Morehouse College in Atlanta where he is completing his undergraduate studies in a dual major program of applied physics and electrical engineering. Both of these outstanding student winners received a check for $1,500 from the chapter.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 02/26/2016
The chapter recognized Christian Jamison and Breyden Wood, 10th graders from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology at the 2016 Gwinnett County Regional Science, Engineering and Innovation Fair in February. At the turn of the 20th century, Nikolai Tesla theorized energy could be extracted directly from the Earth's magnetic field. Incredibly, Jamison and Wood researched the concept, built a working magnetic field generator and demonstrated the feasibility of using this as an alternative energy source. In fact, their hypothesis was not only upheld that the energy could be extracted, they actually extracted and stored it in a capacitor 300% of their predicted value. The chapter recognizes these rising scientist as its high school level project winners that most closely align with the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) tenants of AFCEA International. Congratulations gentlemen!
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 02/26/2016
The chapter recognized Jacob Hinson, an 8th grader from Trickum Middle School at the 2016 Gwinnett County Regional Science, Engineering and Innovation Fair in February. He worked closely with a needle source 0.01 micro-curie, Polonium 210, Alpha emitter, courtesy of United Nuclear supplies. Hinson created a homemade cloud chamber to detect and track the invisible Alpha particles. Taking his experiment to the next level, Hinson used magnetized Buckyballs to create magnetized paths for the Alpha particles to navigate. The chapter recognizes this rising scientist as its middle school level project winner that most closely aligns with the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) tenants of AFCEA International. Congratulations Jacob!
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 01/25/2016
Maj. Andrea Walthour, commander, 94th Communications Squadron, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, has graciously offered to be the military sponsor and liaison to the chapter. The 94th also contributed critical man-hours aiding the chapter prepare almost 2000 snack baggies to hand out to the troops transiting Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport during the 2015 Operation Holiday Block Leave. She has also committed to be the February 2016 luncheon speaker. The chapter is honored and pleased with the new relationship.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 01/28/2016
The chapter recognized ten local area teachers at the annual Science Teaching Tool Grant luncheon, held at Dobbins Air Reserve Base club on January 28th. Among this year's honorees are Ashli Cook (Carroll County); Susanna Brooks (Coweta County); Diana Kennen (Rockdale County); Heather Pouliot (Henry County); Lisa Bruce (Forsyth County); Sheila Harmony (Gwinnett County); Brenda Horrnady (DeKalb County); Maria Brown (mulit-year winner, Jasper County); Chas Harsh (multi-year winner, Gwinnett County); and Tommy Nguyen (Gwinnett County). Congratulations to this year's winners who foster and cultivate the future science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) leaders of the country. A special thank you to Mitch Able and Michelle Brown, co-vice presidents of education and both past chapter presidents, for their tireless devotion to directing the education events and making the event possible.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 02/04/2016
The United Service Organizations (USO) celebrated its 75th anniversary in February at its office in the Atlanta airport. The chapter was invited to attend the celebration as the region's top volunteer organization and make a few remarks to the dignitaries and attendees. A number of USO and military and government dignitaries also addressed the attendees including UN Ambassador Andrew Young. The chapter presented Maj. Gen. Tom Wessels, chairman, USO and Mary Lou Austin, president of the USO of Georgia, a modest stipend during the ceremony.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 01/29/2015
Dr. Vince Patton, director of the AFCEA Educational Foundation, paid a visit to the January luncheon, where the chapter was honoring its selection of 2015 Teaching Tool Grant recipients. Dr. Patton delivered a heartfelt and insightful presentation on the efforts AFCEA International is undertaking to further the tenets of the organization; its focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) grants and scholarships; and how the local chapters influence the direction of the next generation of Defense Department and government professionals.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 01/29/2015
The chapter annually disperses Teaching Tool Grants to deserving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-focused teachers in the Atlanta metro area during the January chapter luncheon held at Georgia Tech Research Institute. For 2015, the chapter awarded $1,000 grants to five teachers: Cathrine Nolan, Central Educational Center of Coweta County; Maria Brown, Washington Park Elementary of Fulton County; Carla Vashaw and Chas Harsh, North Gwinnett Middle School of Gwinnett County; and Bobby Burford, Loganville Middle School of Walton County. These well-deserved and much need funds assist the teachers in procuring STEM related goods and/or services to keep grade-, middle- and high school-level students interested in STEM education. Congratulations all!
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 12/20/2014
The chapter provided much needed support to the Hartsfield-Jackson USO in December as part of Operation HOLIDAY LEAVE. Each year, Fort Benning conducts the exercise to place military members with their families during the Christmas season. Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta is a nexus for tens of thousands of troops to make air connections on their way to and from their military bases and their loved ones. Mary Lou Austin, director of the SE Regional USO, expressed her appreciation in the January luncheon saying she "appreciated the resources, volunteers, food and drink which you so generously provided, showing 'Hometown America's' support for our troops." Maj. Gen. Austin Miller, USA, commanding general of the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Benning, also expressed his thanks for the benefit received by the troops as a result of the chapter's hard work during Operation HOLIDAY LEAVE. Austin has already asked the chapter if it could execute a double shift next year, a ch ... READ MORE
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 05/22/2014
Col. Jan Apo, USA, defense coordinating officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region IV, spoke at the chapter luncheon at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, in May. Col. Apo works directly with FEMA and is the Department of Defense representative during planning and, more importantly, during disaster periods. Her job is to ensure affected people and property are rendered safe as soon as possible after an event. Region IV is the largest of the eight FEMA national regions. Col. Apo has a tremendous communication capability to coordinate with active duty bases and ISB forward basing stations. She sometimes finds her duties placing her onsite in specialized communications vehicles like the Emergency Reaction Vehicle (ERV). The colonel and her staff provided the chapter with a hands-on tour of this powerful communication command node after the lunch. Col. Apo is another example of the tremendous liaison between military and civilian agencies and an example of the vital ro ... READ MORE
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 05/22/2014
The chapter awarded a $1,500 scholarship to Cadet Peter Holloway, USAF, at its May luncheon. Cadet Holloway is in his third year at Southern Polytechnic State University, majoring in mechatronics engineering. He is in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and pursuing a commission through ROTC. Both his father and grandfather served in the Air Force. As a reservist he was deployed to Bagram Air Field with the 755th Civil Engineering Squadron. While there, he taught local Afghans basic carpentry skills, enabling them to find future employment.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 03/27/2014
The chapter unofficially made March science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) month, and it showed at the monthly luncheon. The chapter was pleased to present Randall Stafford with a STEM Teaching Tools Award to assist the 9th grade physics teacher at Rome High School, just northwest of Atlanta. Stafford showed a short and fascinating video of a robotics competition where his students participate annually. The funds awarded to him will go a long way to procuring motors, gears, PC boards, servos and other big-ticket items needed to compete. Brian Cosgrove and Chris Pugel, two students from Archer High School, demonstrated their award winning hydrogen fuel generator they created, tested, implemented (to power a lawn mower) and patented. Their efforts epitomize the STEM focus and became the chapter's selection as best project in the Gwinnett County Science and Engineering Fair. The chapter also recognized two young Guardsmen for their efforts during the 2014 snowstorms th ... READ MORE
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 02/20/2014
Eric Bassel, director of the SANS Institute, spoke to the chapter during its February luncheon. His discussed the economic implications of a potential cyber attack on critical U.S. infrastructure, to include military assets. Bassel added a fresh perspective to the cyber battle space from a perspective of an organization whose principle product is training the cyberwarriors of the future. The government has different approaches and standards for how and to what degree the next-gen cybersoldiers are to be trained. Each service has different approaches but with the same desired outcome, presenting a dilemma for the SANS Institute. AFCEA has been a staunch supporter of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and the chapter is laser focused on supporting programs and public institutions that foster the bedrock education that can eventually lead to making good candidates for the future cyberwar.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 01/23/2014
The chapter held its Teaching Tool Grant ceremonies during the January luncheon at GTRI in midtown Atlanta. The chapter annually recognizes, based on merit, a number of middle/high school science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers in the local area. This years awardees include: Dr. Kelly Price, Forsyth County (multiple), Forsyth; Martha Milam, East Coweta High School, Coweta; Karen Thompson representing Lynn Cook, Loganville Middle School, Loganville; Mitch Able, chapter vice president for education; Michelle Brown, chapter president; Carla Vanshaw, North Gwinnett Middle School, Gwinnett; Sheila Harmony, Gwinnet School of MST, Gwinnett; and Tina Link, Walton High School, Cobb. Unable to attend were Juan Mora, South Cobb High School, Cobb, and Randy Stafford, Rome High School, Floyd. Each recipient was presented with a $625 monetary grant and the profound appreciation of the chapter for their passion to keep STEM subjects robust and interesting to young leaders.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 02/28/2013
Col. William Day, USAF, was the speaker at the chapter's February luncheon held at Dobbins Air Reserve Base Consolidated Club. Col. Day is a full time technician and the chief information officer/director of information management (CIO/DOIM) for the Georgia Army National Guard (ARNG), Information Technology Division, located at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. Col. Day provided an informative overview of his organization and how a technician functions as the CIO/DOIM for Georgia in order to keep the information technology balls juggling simultaneously. The Georgia ARNG supports numerous Defense Department and civilian agencies, as well as provides support in worldwide deployments. The ARNG soldiers in the colonel's command are seasoned veterans by now, each averaging three deployments. Some of their principle programs, when not supporting the Defense Department, Department of Homeland Security and civil authorities, are in counter-drug activities, the Youth Challenge Academy and maintainin ... READ MORE
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 02/28/2013
In February, Francis Mazzocchi, chapter vice president for scholarships, awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Jacob Amsbaugh on behalf of AFCEA International. The General Emmett Paige Scholarship is a national-level scholarship where the recipient must have a minimum 3.4 GPA and be on active duty, a veteran of the uniformed military services or a spouse or dependent of an active duty member or veteran. Candidates must submit a copy of a Certificate of Service, Discharge Form DD214, or a Defense Department or Coast Guard identification card. Veterans returning to school may apply as freshmen. Only 10 of these scholarships are awarded annually. Amsbaugh is a second year undergraduate at the Georgia Institute of Technology. At the chapter's award presentation, his proud parents, Stacy and Mike, and his grandmother Naomi accompanied Amsbaugh.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 09/27/2012 presents appreciation coin to Mr English (L).jpg)
The chapter hosted Charley English, director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), at its September luncheon on Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Atlanta. English provided valuable insight into the challenges of managing GEMA on a daily basis and working through the significant communications challenges presenting themselves. His role is to ensure that GEMA is a good steward of the taxpayers money, finds the best technical solutions to communications challenges, and helps guide the decision making criteria to decide what is the optimum solution amongst an overwhelming wealth of communication and information technologies available today. He said one of GEMA's most pressing problems is the development of broadband assets across the state and taking advantage of the bandwidth available today. The chapter appreciates the visit from GEMA and recognizes the time they took out of their incredibly busy schedule to meet with the chapter representatives.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 08/17/2012
In August, the chapter presented a $3,000 scholarship to Air Force Cadet Niall P. Brown. Cadet Brown is a senior flight leader at the Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in mechanical engineering. The scholarship is a competitive, merit-based award offered annually by the chapter. The chapter recognized Cadet Brown for both his academic record and service to the community. For many years, he has co-chaired a toy drive for 300 children of migrant farm workers, he worked on a book drive that helped establish a Head Start Center, and he tutors youngsters in mathematics, reading and computer skills. Cadet Brown was selected for the Defense Department Global Officer Program, which develops officers with critical language and cultural skills. Toward that end, he was at Sogang University in Seoul, Korea, this summer. Cadet Brown graduates in 2013 and will become a pilot in the Air Force.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 07/26/2012
The chapter election of new officers was held during the July luncheon at Dobbins Air Force Base, Georgia. The ballot voting results were unanimous allowing for immediate installation of the officers. Mitch Abel has been elected as president of the chapter for the second year running. Pat Harrington, regional vice president, joined the event o install the clutch of officers into the chapter.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 07/26/2012
The chapter invited Col. Joseph H. Scherrer, USAF, to speak at the July luncheon held at the Dobbins Consolidated Club in Atlanta. Col. Scherrer is the commander of the 689 Combat Communications Wing at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. His unit reports to 24th Air Force (24AF), Space Command. The role of the wing is to extend, operate and defend the cyberspace in a deployed mission. It is the expeditionary arm of the 24AF that is set up to deploy worldwide—anytime, anywhere. His presentation had to be tailored to a noncleared audience considering the capabilities of his unit and its unique mission. Col. Scherrer did not disappoint the chapter and provided sufficient inspirational philosophy and analogies for his mission. He was able to relate the impact of his organization to everyday Americans. The colonel's message to the chapter was compelling and received a standing ovation at its conclusion, which is a rarity for the chapter. The chapter highly recommends this speaker for fellow ... READ MORE
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 06/28/2012
Col. Mark E. Powell, USA, was the invited speaker at the chapter's June luncheon held at the Dobbins Consolidated Club in Atlanta. Col. Powell related the recent events surrounding a successful Base Realignment and Closure move of the 1 Army headquarters (HQ) from Fort Gillem, Georgia, to Rock Island Arsenal (RIA), Illinois. HQ 1 Army is responsible for monitoring the daily activities of the military action in Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world. Col. Powell was tasked to move a 3-star Army HQ across country without losing a single operational moment as a result of the move. The colonel related the details of how this minor miracle occurred with particular emphasis on the communications capabilities that had to be maintained en-route and created as soon as possible once relocated to RIA. Col. Powell graced the luncheon by having his daughter in attendance. He is a long standing member of AFCEA is also planning on joining the local chapter as soon as possible.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 04/30/2012
The chapter held its inaugural luncheon at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in April. After the Base Realignment and Closure actions that saw a good lump of its membership relocate to Fort Bragg, the chapter selected the remaining military base in Atlanta as its new meeting site. Maj. Gen. Wallace Farris, USAF, the commander of the 22nd Air Force, graced the luncheon with an enthusiastic presentation highlighting his personal experience of an ever-evolving information technology revolution during his distinguished Air Force career. Gen. Farris mused over the tremendous changes in information technology and engineering that have transpired over the last two decades alone. Of course, advancements are also accompanied with risks. The general expressed his intrigue about cyberwarfare, in both offensive and defensive arenas. The 22nd Air Force works closely with the Air Force Cyber Command to mitigate and control this battle space. The chapter and Dobbins Air Reserve Base are excited about the n ... READ MORE
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 03/22/2012 Mitch Able (C) and Jeffrey Hill (R) at March Luncheon.jpg)
The chapter welcomed Phil Strauss and Jeff Hill of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region IV in March. Strauss is a stakeholder relations liaison officer for FEMA in the region, and his role is to establish and cultivate private-sector relations in the eight-state region. The level of cooperation with the private sector greatly impacts the quality and speed of recovery after a disaster, explained Strauss. He works nonstop before, during and after a disaster to ensure the community gets back to normal as quickly as possible. Hill is the region information technology chief. His presentation focused more on the contracting interface and process that FEMA utilizes to fill its charter of rapid disaster relief. One can imagine supporting the data and voice communications requirements in a region with a populace of more than 140 million. Now, imagine that task working in a zone that was just destroyed by a natural disaster. FEMA has a tremendous responsibility once the White ... READ MORE
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 07/26/2011
Have you ever wondered about the size of a state's typical information technology budget; what their infrastructure and management look like; and how they support their state government on the information technology level? In July, the chapter hosted Dr. Steven Nichols, chief technology officer for the state of Georgia, Georgia Technology Authority (GTA), and he answered those very questions. Nichols gave the chapter insight into the care and feeding of Georgia's information technology engine. His organization supports 85 statewide agencies with 14 of those receiving full- spectrum support. The fiscal year 2010 Georgia State operating budget was just over $17 billion. The information technology portion of that budget is surprisingly small: around $220 million for information technology infrastructure and $163 million for related projects. Yet they manage more than 7,700 physical sites and 35,000 annual users with 668 terabytes of storage at more than1850 centers of excellenc ... READ MORE |
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 05/26/2011
The chapter installed its new officers in the chapter's board of directors at the May luncheon. The board is smaller than normal this year as the chapter is seeing about half of its members transition over to the Fort Bragg Chapter as part of a Base Realignment and Closure action to shut down Fort McPherson. The new board members are eager to carry on the work the chapter is known for in community service, professional networking and promoting math/science skills in the area schools. Patricia Harrington, the Georgia regional vice president, installed the board members. Harrington is a member of the chapter and a lifetime member of AFCEA.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 05/26/2011
Shyam Reddy, regional administrator, Southeast Sunbelt Region, General Services Administration (GSA), spoke at the chapter's luncheon in May. Reddy accepted a presidential appointment to this office, and he manages and oversees 43 million square feet of owned/leased federal real estate, operates a more than 40,000 vehicle fleet and is responsible for more than $90 billion in procurement purchasing annually. Reddy focused his comments on GSA sustainability for the future. The GSA has a goal for 2020 to have a zero percent environmental impact footprint. Its strategy to achieve this goal is to rely heavily on current and emerging technology and leverage their capabilities to reduce the physical holdings of the GSA and the subsequent energy costs associated with its building space. Additionally, the GSA has adopted the federal mandate for government vehicle fleets to move to full electric vehicle formats. They have been identified as the most prominent adopters of electric vehi ... READ MORE |
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 03/24/2011
The chapter held it last luncheon at the Fort McPherson golf club, the Commons, in March. Fort McPherson is slated to close in summer 2011 due to changes from the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) act, forcing the chapter to find new meeting locations. They now meet at the Georgia Tech Research Institute in downtown Atlanta. Roy Bishop, deputy G-6, U.S. Army Forces Command, served as the final speaker at the Fort McPherson location. Bishop has been a chapter member for years, and he has been affiliated with AFCEA for more than 30 years. During his speech, he noted that the chapter stands out for its commitment to community service and giving back. The chapter will cleave during the next few months, as nearly half of its members will be relocating to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and other locations as part of the BRAC strategy. Many members of the Fort Bragg Chapter were present at the luncheon. Both chapters are excited about the move. The remaining members of the Atlanta Chapter a ... READ MORE
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 02/24/2011
In February, the chapter welcomed Col. Dominic Caraccilo, USA, deputy chief of staff, U.S. Army Forces Command, for its meeting at Fort McPherson. Col. Caraccilo provided the chapter with refreshing and candid viewpoints on the effectiveness of battlefield command and control systems used over the past decade. A fixture in the 101st Airborne Division, he has been deployed in numerous combat roles starting as early as 2001 to Iraq and Afghanistan. A true veteran of combat operations and recipient of three Purple Hearts, the colonel has earned the authority to speak about what the U.S. has gotten right and wrong in tactical combat communications. What works? Fixed satellite communications work. If Col. Caraccilo had to rely on one system that is always reliable, he would choose this. He states that fixed satellite communication could be better if it worked on the move, but he is pleased with its performance overall. Global Positioning Systems are another positive workhorse in ... READ MORE |
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 01/27/2011
The chapter presented $1,000 grants in January to local educators specializing in fostering gifted students in the science fields. This years winners included Dr. Fred Okoh, Arabia Mountain High School; Dr. Kelly Price, Forsyth County Elementary School; Barry Gillespie, Collins Hill High School; Maria Brown and Jenee Johnson, C.J. Hicks Elementary School; Felicia Bradley, General Ray Davis Middle School; and Dr. Vanessa Carter, Memorial Middle School.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 01/27/2011
In January, the chapter presented $1,000 grants to promote and reward science educators. This years winners included: Dr. Aruna Kailasa, Benjamin E. Mays High School; Jessica Hok, Temple High School; Kim Geddes, Sequoyah High School; Todd Sharrock and Tim Smyrl, Creekview High School; James Morris, Dickerson Middle School; Tina Link, Walton High School; Martha Lowrie, East Coweta High School; Alissa Simmons, Stephenson Middle School; Abigail May, Roswell High School; Andrea Rioux, River Trail Middle School; Dr. Tracy Brown, Hiram High School, and Kimberly Donaldson and Paul Haga, Rockdale Career Academy.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 12/18/2010
In December, members of the chapter celebrated the holiday season by volunteering to support the United Services Organization (USO) at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport during operation Block Leave 2010. More than a dozen chapter volunteers were on hand to greet or send off nearly 3,700 soldiers. The troops either were returning to their loved ones for a much-deserved holiday break or departing for the Middle East. The USO provides the transient service men and women with the usual canteen services, a soft chair to rest in, cable television, and food and drink donated by local businesses in the Atlanta area who wished to express their appreciation. This major annual event at one of the world's busiest airports attracted the attention of CNN reporters who filmed the emotional reuniting of heroes and their families. CNN broadcast the event live as well as capturing some stock footage. The chapter has had the privilege of participating in this welcome home for the pa ... READ MORE
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 11/17/2010
The Georgia Tech Research Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, recently established the Cyber Technology and Information Security Laboratory (CTISL-GTRI). Dr. Fred Wright, chief engineer of the lab, gave the chapter a glimpse of the exciting capabilities of the lab and its impact on commercial, government, and national security in November. The mission of the lab is to develop, analyze, exploit and archive cutting edge research and development activities in the cyber and command and control spaces. The powerful organization has developed and implemented three main divisions and a critical database to address the threats in the area of network centric warfare, secure information systems, assessment and exploitation, and military/government open source enabling technologies. Their highly visible manifestation of their capabilities comes in the form of the C2 Mission Assurance Division. They have been improving their Deployable Joint Command and Control System for years, havi ... READ MORE |
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 09/30/2010
In September, the chapter had a chance to hear from Jim Seligman, chief information office for the Center for Disease Control (CDC), which is headquartered in Atlanta. Seligman oversees the agency's Information Technology Services Office, serving as the leader of the agency's overall information technology program. He spoke to a sold-out crowd. The CDC concerns itself with emerging urgent threats (potential biological attacks, the H1NI flu virus, etc.) and the reality of day-to-day epidemics, global health, combating acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other threats to the U.S. government and its people. Seligman constantly works to manage the growing mountain of data and its dissemination. He announced the award of the CDC Information Management Services (CIMS) Contract to 30 contractors. The award announcement came on September 23. CIMS is a departure from the CDC's normal acquisition strategy. Rather than awarding one contract for one task, they now hav ... READ MORE |
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 07/15/2010
In July, the chapter held a special event to promote membership with the chapter's Young AFCEANs. Paige DeCaro, chapter vice president for Young AFCEANs, coordinated an Atlanta Braves baseball game in conjunction with a classic tailgate event before the game. More than 100 members supported and attended the event held at Turner Field in downtown Atlanta. Chapter leaders say the tailgating event and heavily discounted tickets to the Braves-Brewers contest has proved to be one of the most popular events and a successful tool for recruiting young AFCEANs to the chapter. Plenty of local barbeque and drinks were on hand before the group moved into Turner Field where the Braves beat the Milwaukee Brewers.
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 08/17/2010
The chapter hosted Col. David Barlow, USA, director, Fort Gordon Battle Laboratory, as the guest speaker for the August luncheon. Col. Barlow also serves as the senior Functional Area 24 officer for telecommunication system engineers. The Battle Lab's main functions are long-range experimentation; modeling and simulation; the Battle Lab Collaborative Simulation Environment; live experimentation; and supporting the Network Service Center-Training for units in the contiguous United States, Hawaii and Alaska. These functions provide a testing platform for signal systems in the near future (present to 5 years out) and for far horizon evaluations (25 to 30 years out). Among the many projects actively underway are the top secret/sensitive compartmented information tunneling assessment; troposcatter assessment; and wireless networking concepts pushing cellular-type capabilities to the most common warfighter and targeting the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical program. The Battle Lab c ... READ MORE
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ATLANTA CHAPTER - 06/30/2010
Maj. Gen. Stuart Dyer, USA, commander, 335th Signal Command (Theater), spoke at the chapter's June luncheon. The 335th Signal Command's principle mission is to support the Third Army/U.S. Central Command, cyber-defense of Army networks and provision of chemical forces for homeland defense. The command maintains the Army's portion of the Global Information Grid in Southwest Asia, including a $250 million commercial equipment upgrade in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility. It also maintains and coordinates an array of satellite communications. The command has 65 percent of the Army's chemical resources. It regularly participates in numerous exercises and has been engaged in combat operations since 2001. Gen. Dyer expressed great pride in his roughly 8,600 soldiers, but he noted the enormous stress they were under, which is exemplified in increased suicide rates. He exhorted all to help in fostering the well being of soldiers.
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