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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 11/16/2021
Bob Kolasky, head of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's National Risk Management Center, pulled no punches recently when he reviewed the cyber threat landscape. "We're not where we need to be as a country," Kolasky said. "We need to change that."A good place to start would be more robust public-private sector collaboration. "Let's minimize interagency disputes. Let's make cyber a team sport," he said. "Government and industry are in it together." Kolasky delivered the keynote address at the inaugural AFCEA Bethesda's Energy, Infrastructure and Environment Summit at the National Press Club, in Washington, D.C. "At the end of the day, our goal has to be that the country is at less risk of people exploiting our systems and undermining government and critical infrastructure," he said. |
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 06/03/2021 The chapter has announced the winners for the 2021 InnovateIT Awards program, honoring individuals or groups in the federal civilian and health information technology (IT) markets who have combined leadership with innovation to achieve tangible results in the areas of security, automation and modernization within their organizations or across federal IT. "This year's InnovateIT awardees are thought leaders who have demonstrated innovative solutions that meet agency challenges and transform service to the citizen," said Chapter President Naina Leo. 'AFCEA Bethesda is excited to recognize these outstanding leaders who have managed cutting-edge initiatives that advance the mission of their organizations or the state of federal IT.' The 2021 Innovate IT Award finalists include the following: Janet Vogel, chief information security officer, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was awarded Government Innovation Leader of the Year. Cal Zemelman, executive dir ... READ MORE |
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 05/04/1921 The chapter is pleased to announce its induction into the AFCEA International 2021 Model Chapter program. Kathleen Cowles, chapter president-elect, and partner, Deep Water Point, LLC, won the Medal of Merit Award. Additionally, Ali Kavianpour, chapter vice president for operations, and account executive, Red River; and Katie Keegan, senior enterprise account manager, public sector, Citrix Systems, were also honored to be recognized as winners of the Young AFCEA 40 Under 40 Award. The chapter also received recognition via the Albert J. Myer Award for Individual Member Growth. The AFCEA International Awards program recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals in the communications, electronics, intelligence and information technology disciplines. In addition, AFCEA's chapters are recognized for outstanding support to the association. |
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 03/14/2018
At March's seventh annual Winter IT Luncheon held by the chapter's Young AFCEANs, more than 20 federal leaders came to discuss doing more with less in small roundtable conversations. Topics ranged from digital transformation, such as development and operations (DevOps) and cloud, to cybersecurity, disruptive technology and data governance, legacy system modernization and government services alignment. Federal guests included chief information officers (CIOs) and program leaders from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; the U.S. departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, and State; the Small Business Administration; the General Services Administration; the Federal Election Commission; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Office of Management and Budget; the Federal Communications Commission; the U.S. Air Force; the Securities and Exchange Commission; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.; t ... READ MORE
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 02/06/2018
At the February West conference, co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, three of the chapter's Young AFCEANs received awards. Theresa Holland and Sarah Thayer each received Distinguished Young AFCEAN Awards, and Kristina Kelly received an Emerging Leadership Award. In addition, the Young AFCEA Bethesda Chapter received a Model Young AFCEAN Program Award. National Capital Region Regional Vice President Alvie Johnson attended to support award winners. The chapter has worked hard to engage new members in new professional development panels and hopes to continue the momentum with a winter IT luncheon in March and a senior government executive dinner in July. |
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 10/19/2017
October's 10th annual Fiscal New Year Networking Event brought together more than 100 government and industry professionals to raise money for the Challenger Center. For 30 years, the Challenger Center has delivered science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education programs reaching more than 250,000 students annually through 43 Challenger Learning Centers. The chapter's Young AFCEANs have supported the Challenger Center since 2013. Simulated STEM missions at the center combine hands-on activities, role-play, simulation and group collaboration to achieve an inspirational goal, such as finding life on Mars. The chapter's Young AFCEANs have invested in a program to transform the powerful education in Challenger Learning Centers into a classroom-based program. The program will increase the reach of the Challenger Center by millions of students. The networking celebration was a popular event, with featured guests Jennifer Hoover of the Department of Homeland Security; Jo ... READ MORE
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 04/20/2017
The chapter’s Young AFCEANs hosted their annual Spring Fling Networking event in April in Washington, DC. There were more than 200 attendees supporting the chapter’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) scholarship fund. With featured hosts from the departments of Health and Human Services, Justice and Homeland Security, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, it was a fun and successful evening. The event featured lively discussions, networking, and a specialty “Spring Fling” drink.
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 12/15/2016 Congratulations to Cody Mruk, president-elect of Young AFCEA Bethesda, for being awarded the Distinguished Young AFCEAN Award! The Distinguished Young AFCEAN Award recognizes and rewards exceptional performance in four areas: leadership and guidance for the Young AFCEAN program; superior technical achievement in the professional arena; a record of going "above and beyond" at the local chapter or region level; and mentoring provided for other Young AFCEANs. The AFCEA Regional Vice Presidents have the honor to personally select an individual from their region to receive the Regional Distinguished Young AFCEAN Award. These honorees represent an elite group of individuals, and one of them is voted Distinguished Young AFCEAN of the Year. The chapter thanks Mruk for his hard work and all he does for the association. |
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 12/15/2016 The chapter was awarded the Model Young AFCEAN Program designation for 2016. The 2015-2016 board, led by President Christian Hoehner, established a set of goals for the Young AFCEAN Program and then provided the successful results to the Regional Vice President and AFCEA International's member and chapter services department. The chapter's board is proud of its efforts and successes in receiving this award. |
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 11/17/2016
In November, the chapter's Young AFCEANs held a post-election professional development event called "The Next Four Years." More than 60 attendees listened to an engaged panel of federal and industry professionals discuss two topics: the impact and evolution of presidential transitions and landscape transitions and shifts in the economy. Panelists included Brian Eiler, senior advisor to the under secretary, NOAA; Brig. Gen. Fred Henry, USA (Ret.), vice president, Unisys; Daniel Kroese, chief of staff, Rep. John Ratcliffe (TX-4), U.S. House of Representatives; Brig. Gen. Balan Ayyar, USAF (Ret.), president, Sevatec; Dr. David Bray, chief information officer, Federal Communications Commission; and Darryl Peek, director of operations, Office of the Chief Technology Officer, Department of Homeland Security. Moderated by Randa Fahmy, an internationally recognized expert in global government affairs, the panelists also talked about the impact of the election on government acquisition and n ... READ MORE
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 11/18/2016 As November draws near, many members are wondering what the next presidential term will look like. The chapter's Young AFCEANs will be hosting a special post-election panel exploring just that on November 18. "The Next Four Years" panel will include representatives from both industry and the federal government. Election outcomes are crucial to government and industry acquisition. This moderated event will aim to offer bipartisan conversation to discuss potential changes within regulation, monetary and trade policy, taxation and investment. Conversation will help to highlight the impacts on the economy, political arena and business ecosystem. |
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 10/13/2016
The chapter's Young AFCEANs will present the premier fall networking event for professionals in the federal information technology sector. In October, the chapter will celebrate the successes of 2016 and kick off the new government fiscal year with its Fiscal New Year Networking Event at The Gryphon, near Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. The chapter will unite thought leaders in the government information technology community with innovative industry professionals to exchange ideas and promote the importance and availability of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Proceeds will directly benefit the Challenger Center, a national nonprofit that engages students in hands-on experiences to strengthen their knowledge in STEM. Specifically, Fiscal New Year event proceeds will support the newly designed Simulated Mission to Mars program for grade-school children.
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 08/20/2016
Young AFCEA is looking forward to another exciting year with added events, such as incorporating a third Professional Development (ProDev) discussion. The chapter board and volunteers are fast working on other upcoming annual events, including the Fiscal New Year Networking Event, Winter IT Luncheon, Spring Fling Networking Event, the Charity Golf Tournament and the Senior Government Executive Dinner for 2017.
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 07/21/2016
In July, the chapter's Young AFCEANs held their largest event in Washington, D.C.: the ninth annual Senior Government Executive Dinner. More than 250 people participated in roundtable discussion focused on the theme of "Where do we go from here?" The Young AFCEANs raised more than $25,000 for the AFCEA Bethesda Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Scholarship Fund, benefiting education partners such as Montgomery College, the Universities at Shady Grove and the University of Maryland, College Park, to strengthen knowledge STEM. Agencies represented included the Office of Management and Budget; Environmental Protection Agency; NASA; U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Secret Service; National Archives and Records, Social Security, Small Business and General Services administrations; Federal Communications and Federal Energy Regulatory commissions; and Homeland Security, Defense, Justice, Transportation, Agriculture, Commerce, State; and Health and Human Services departments. ... READ MORE
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 07/25/2013
This past July, the Young AFCEA Bethesda Chapter hosted its Sixth Annual Senior Government Executive Dinner. This event brings government and industry together in an informal environment to collaborate over such topics as information technology program management, cybersecurity, information sharing, mobility and data center consolidation. There were more than 35 senior executives and more than 230 industry attendees in attendance in this multigenerational AFCEA audience.
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 10/10/2012
In October, the chapter hosted an informative discussion titled, “Identity and Access Management in a Digital Government.” Kathleen Turco, assistant administrator, Office of Government-wide Policy, U.S. General Services Administration, moderated the panel. Panelist were Sharon James, director, cyber architecture and implementation, Internal Revenue Services, Department of the Treasury; Naomi Lefkovitz, senior privacy policy adviser, Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce; Kshemendra Paul, program manager, Information Sharing Environment, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and Tom McCarty, director, identity, credential and access management, Program Management Office, Department of Homeland Security. The discussion gave insight into the opportunities and challenges faced in implementing successful identity and access management systems. Attendance at the Bethesda North Marriot and Conference Center was ... READ MORE
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 09/26/2012
In September, the chapter hosted an informative discussion titled, “Modular Development: The Key to a 21st Century Agile Government.” Chris Dorobek, founder, editor and publisher, DorobekINSIDER, moderated the event. Panelist were Shawn Kingsberry, assistant director of information technology and chief information officer, Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board; Tim McCrosson, senior policy analyst, Office of E-Government and Information Technology, Office of Management and Budget; Mark Schwartz, chief information officer, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security; and Tom Sasala, chief technology officer, U.S. Army Information Technology Agency. The discussion gave significant insight into how agencies take advantage of a “do more with less” approach to managing information technology and what impact it will have on the contractor community. Attendance at the Bethesda North Marriot and Conference Center was almost 220. As always, participants ar ... READ MORE
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 06/20/2012
In June, the chapter hosted a timely discussion titled, “Building a Future-Ready Digital Government.” Richard Holgate, assistant director for science and technology and chief information officer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Department of Justice, moderated the discussion. Panelist included Darren Ash, chief information officer and deputy executive director for management, Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Sean Donelan, program manager, National Cyber Security Division Network and Infrastructure Security, Department of Homeland Security; Gwynne Kostin, director, Digital Services Innovation Center, Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies, General Services Administration; and Ron Ross, senior security scientist, Computer Security Division and fellow, National Institute of Standards and Technology. The discussion gave insight into the Office of Budget and Management's new Digital Government strategy and how implementation efforts, ranging from a ... READ MORE
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 02/24/2012
In February, the chapter hosted an imperative discussion titled “FY13 Federal Budget Preview.” Lisa Schlosser, deputy administrator, Office of E-Government and Information Technology, Office of Management and Budget, moderated the discussion. Panelist were Roger Baker, assistant secretary of information technology and chief information officer for Virginia; Robert Carey, deputy assistant secretary of defense for information management, integration and technology and deputy chief information officer, Defense Department; Chris Smith, chief information officer, Department of Agriculture; and Richard Spires, chief information officer, Department of Homeland Security. The discussion gave significant insight into the 2013 federal budget. Attendance at the Bethesda North Marriot and Conference Center was more than 550. As always, participants arrive in time to network before the panel. For information, upcoming events or to learn how you can get involved, please go to www.afceabethesda.org.
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 01/18/2012
In January, the chapter hosted a discussion titled “Doing More With Less – IT Efficiencies through Acquisition, Sourcing and Portfolio Innovations.” Simon Szykman, chief information officer, U.S. Department of Commerce, moderated the discussion. Panelist were Floyd Groce, director, enterprise commercial information technology strategy, Department of the Navy; Anne Rung, senior director of administration, Department of Commerce; and Tony Trenkle, chief information officer and director of the Office of Information Services in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services. The discussion gave insight into how agencies measure the effectiveness of their information technology portfolio. Attendance at the Bethesda North Marriot and Conference Center exceeded 270. As always, participants arrived in time to network before the panel.
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 12/08/2011
In December, the chapter hosted a discussion titled “The Next-Gen Government Leader.” Jonathan Benett, program manager, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, moderated the discussion. Panelist included: Brent Bushey, project manager, Alien Criminal Response Information Management System, Department of Homeland Security; James Jones, chief program officer, Recover, Accountability and Transparency Board; Charles Sanders, integration manager, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; and Laura Stanton, director of process improvement and communications, General Services Administration. The discussion gave insight into the steps federal agencies have begun taking to foster the next generation of leadership. Attendance at the Bethesda North Marriot and Conference Center was more than 240. As always participants arrive in time to network before the panel.
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 10/14/2011 In October, the chapter hosted an informative discussion titled, “The Future of Federal Data Center Consolidation.” Chris Dorobek, founder, publisher and editor of DorobekInsider, moderated the discussion. Panelist included Zach Baldwin, program manager, Federal Data Consolidation Initiative, Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies, U.S. General Services Administration; and Cindy Cassil, director, systems integration, Office of the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of State. The discussion gave insight into where federal data consolidation is headed and the progress that has been made in reaching consolidation goals. Panelists provided updates on their agency's data center consolidation efforts including best practices for managing requirements, integrating a cloud infrastructure and how to use existing capabilities to manage private, public and traditional data centers. Nearly 200 people attended the event at the Bethesda North Marriot and Conference Center. ... READ MORE |
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 09/22/2011
In September, the chapter hosted a timely discussion titled, “25-Point Plan: What's Next in IT.” Lisa Schlosser, deputy administrator, Office of E-Government and Information Technology, U.S. Office of Management and Budget, moderated the discussion. Panelist included Bajinder Paul, deputy associate administrator, Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies, U.S. General Services Administration; and Kenneth Rogers, director, Information Technology Strategic Planning Office, U.S. Department of State. The discussion gave insight into where federal chief information officers stand in meeting the objectives laid out by Vivek Kundra, former federal chief information officer. The discussion lead to how agencies will continue to drive information technology management reform for fiscal year 2012 under Steven VanRoekel, the new federal chief information officer. More than 260 attendees listened to the discussion at the Bethesda North Marriot and Conference Center. In addition, the ... READ MORE
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 01/13/2011
In January, the chapter hosted a timely discussion titled “Data Center Consolidation: What's Next for Cloud Computing?” Dave McClure, associate administrator for citizen services and innovative technologies, General Services Administration, moderated the event. Panelist included Cindy Cassil, director of systems integration, Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), Department of State; Margie Graves, deputy CIO, Department of Homeland Security; Dawn Leaf, senior adviser, Information Technology Laboratory, and senior executive for cloud computing, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Alfred Rivera, director, Computing Services Directorate, Defense Information Systems Agency; and Bill Turnbull, associate CIO officer for advanced technology and systems integration, Department of Energy. The discussion gave insight into government needs and best practices around this important initiative. More than 340 attendees attended the panel session at the Bethesda North Marriot a ... READ MORE
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 12/14/2010
In December, the chapter hosted an informative discussion on “Using Social Media Tools and Open Government to Transform Citizen Engagement.” Bev Godwin, director of new media and citizen engagement, U.S. General Services Administration, moderated the discussion. Panelist included Cammie Croft, director of new media and citizen engagement, Department of Energy; Amanda Eamich, director of web communications, Department of Agriculture; Charles J. Holt, senior strategist for emerging media, Defense Department; and Sanjay Koyani, director of web communications, Food and Drug Administration. Nearly 200 people attended the innovative and informative discussion at the Bethesda North Marriot and Conference Center. The meeting provided a great networking experience.
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 11/05/2010
In November, the chapter hosted a panel discussion on health information technology reform. Michael Carleton, chief information officer (CIO) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), moderated the discussion. Panelist included Julie Boughn, CIO and director, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS; James Garvie, special assistant to the CIO, Indian Health Service, HHS; Jim Speros, special assistant of the chief technology officer, Department of Veteran Affairs; and Capt. Michael Weiner, USN, deputy program manager and chief medical officer, Defense Health Information Management System. The event, held at the Bethesda North Marriot and Conference Center, was standing room only.
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 10/05/2010
The chapter hosted another successful discussion in October as part of their ongoing breakfast series. The discussion centered on major information technology contract vehicles. James Washington, chief acquisition officer, Federal Aviation Administration, served as the moderator, and the panel participants included Robert Coen, deputy director, National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center; Joanne Woytek, program manager and contract technical representative, Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement Program, NASA; Michael O'Neill, deputy director, Government-wide Acquisition Contract programs, Federal Acquisition Service, General Services Administration; and Herbert Jackson Jr., acting chief management officer and chief acquisition officer, U.S. Government Printing Office. There were more than 230 attendees at the Bethesda North Marriot and Conference Center. Additional information on upcoming breakfast series events is available at www.afce ... READ MORE
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 08/20/2009 The chapter elected its new officers for the 2009-2010 year at the August meeting. Officers include representatives from large and small information technology contractors, marketing organizations and media companies. New officers include Steve Krauss, chapter president; Greg Mundell, chapter vice president for breakfast programs; Steve Vito, chapter treasurer; Dawn Hall, chapter secretary; Belinda Coleman, chapter vice president for small-business programs; Shannon Hagy, chapter vice president for membership; and Beth Maloney, chapter chair for the Young AFCEAN Committee. The new officers will manage and oversee the chapter's successful monthly breakfast meetings, scholarship programs and the annual charity ball, which benefits the Children's Inn at the National Institutes for Health. |
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 05/27/2009 The chapter held its annual awards ceremony in May to recognize excellence in government and industry. Kenneth Touloumes, chapter president, stated, "This year's awards recognize the vast transformation taking place within the government information technology community as we move toward a more transparent and open democracy." Award winners included Martha Dorris, deputy associate administrator, Office of Citizen Services and Communications, General Services Administration, Outstanding Achievement-Civilian Government award winner; Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sorenson, USA, Army chief information officer/G-6, Outstanding Achievement-Defense Department award winner; and Tom Hempfield, vice president, Hewlett-Packard Federal, Outstanding Achievement-Industry award winner. |
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 04/23/2009
In April, the chapter awarded $100,000 in scholarships to Maryland college students. In collaboration with the University of Maryland College Park and Shady Grove campuses and Montgomery College, the chapter presented the awards to 36 students who are majoring in information technology and engineering. The scholarship recipients all are graduates of Montgomery County high schools. Funds for the scholarships were generated through the chapter's ongoing programs, including its breakfast series, conferences, and golf tournament and fundraiser.
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 07/29/2008 The chapter held its first annual Initiatives Excellence Awards in July. "These awards are presented to government leaders who have made contributions from a 'big picture' perspective. These awardees have made overarching contributions, not to just one agency but to all of government," said Kenneth Touloumes, chapter president. Award winners include Karen Evans, administrator, Office of E-Government and Information Technology, Office of Management and Budget (OMB); David Bibb, acting administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration; Danny Werfel, controller, OMB; Linda Koontz, director, Information Technology Directorate, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Fred Schobert, chief technology officer, Integrated Technology Services, Federal Acquisition Service, U.S. General Services Administration; Computer Security Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Erin Won, program manager, Information Technology Infrastructure Optimization Line of Business, U.S. ... READ MORE |
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 05/22/2008
On May 22, the chapter presented a check for $450,000 to The Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The check represented the proceeds from "A Night for the Children," a charity gala held April 5 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. This year's gala marked the 10th anniversary of the charity event, which has raised more than $2 million since its inception through corporate sponsorships and table sales. Earlier in the week, The Children's Inn and the chapter jointly announced the establishment of the "AFCEA Bethesda Endowment for the Inn," created in honor of the gala's 10th anniversary. In years to come, proceeds from the annual fundraiser will be directed to the endowment.
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BETHESDA CHAPTER - 04/05/2008 In April, the chapter presented a check for $450,000 to The Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The check represents the proceeds from "A Night for the Children," according to Kenneth Touloumes, chapter president, who explained that it is a charity gala held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. According to Touloumes, this year's gala marked the 10th anniversary of the charity event that has raised more than $2 million since its inception through corporate sponsorships and table sales. He stated that the chapter is proud of the contribution it has made and of its ongoing relationship with the The Children's Inn at NIH. The chapter, along with the Children's Inn at NIH, has jointly established the AFCEA Endowment for the Inn, created to honor the 10th anniversary and to continue providing support to such a worthy cause. |
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