AFCEA Chairman Speaks at General Membership Meeting

The chapter hosted its December general membership meeting at the Saber & Quill Candlelight Room, Fort Knox, Kentucky. The event was sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton, with Joe Sifer, Booz Allen Hamilton executive vice president and AFCEA International's chairman of the board, as special guest speaker. Sifer began his presentation with a brief synopsis about his career and travels, highlighting his role as the chairman of the board of AFCEA. Sifer spoke about the importance of strengthening the viability of the organization and his goal to maintain at least 5 percent in reserves. He told members that the organization has reached this goal through cost-cutting measures while maintaining service obligations and integrity and balancing priorities. His plans for the organization's continued improvement include encouraging members to interact with leadership as much as possible. Sifer said AFCEA has a strong corporate corps and is on the path to getting back to the basics, focusing on passion and contribution. Young AFCEANs in their 20s and 30s are entering their first jobs, and as members they have an "affirmative, constructive network" in AFCEA. He strongly encouraged members to educate the next generation properly about cyber solutions. "Cyber resilience needs to be a central focus of education in all industries," he said. Recognizing this need, the Global Engineers Deans Council meets regularly to address cybersecurity issues it seeks to incorporate into capstone projects. To keep pace with rapid changes in this industry, a foundational shift in education must occur to sustain the work force. "We all understand the importance of sustainability in solving the cybersecurity challenge," he said, strongly urging members to bring their influence to cybersecurity locally. Sifer, along with the chapter board of directors and Executive Committee, met and spoke with guests after the event.

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