The chapter's gala evening took place in May in the Palffy Manor House in Svaty Jur. Among the guests were officials of AFCEA International and Europe, the representatives of the military resort, the academic sphere, the information technology sector, and members and friends. Altogether, nearly 70 guests attended. The gathering highlighted the presence of the Slovakian News TV Channel TA3.
This evening was opened by Col. Miroslav Brvnistan (Ret.), chapter president, who thanked AFCEA International Tina Jordan, vice president of membership, AFCEA International; AFCEA Regional Vice President Petr Jirasek; General Manager of AFCEA Europe Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, GEAF (Ret.); and Maj. Gen. Klaus-Peter Treche, GEAF (Ret.). Col. Brvnistan went on to thank all members, partners and supporters of the chapter for their "undying effort and active contribution to its function." Jordan presented Col. Brvnistan with a certificate signed by Lt. Gen. Susan Lawrence, USA (Ret.), president and CEO of AFCEA International, for the commemoration of the chapter's anniversary.
The beginnings of the chapter dates back to 2002, when a group of enthusiasts led by Col. Ladislav Kollarik (Ret.), current chapter vice president, decided to extend the activity of AFCEA to Slovakia. Col. Brvnistan reminisced on those moments, saying, "In Slovakia, at that time, we were faced with a great deal of distrust and even now I thank our colleagues from the Czech Chapter who gave us courage to do so for their support. Those 150 AFCEA events organized in Slovakia has proven to be very fruitful."
During the evening, numerous individuals and corporations were awarded as a thank-you for their support and for helping the chapter to develop. Former Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic Jaroslav Nad was awarded medals for his significant contribution. The Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic, the Police Force Academy and the Academy of the Armed Forces were awarded as institutions. In the information and communications technology sector, the awardees included long-term partners of AFCEA Slovakia, such as Aliter Technologies, Cisco Systems Slovakia, DELL, IBM, etc. The commemorative plaque for recognition and appreciation of contribution and personal commitment was given to all present AFCEA International representatives. Also, the chapter leadership was awarded and acknowledged.
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Pictured are (l-r) Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, GEAF (Ret.); Tina Jordan, vice president of membership, AFCEA International; Col. Miroslav Brvnistan (Ret.), chapter president; and Petr Jirasek, regional vice president, Central Eastern Europe and Baltic Region. Jordan presented Brvnistan with a certificate signed by Lt. Gen. Susan Lawrence, USA (Ret.), president and CEO of AFCEA International, for the commemoration of the chapter's anniversary in May. |
