DISA seeks innovation, cyber security, workforce development from industry partners
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With an annual budget exceeding $10 billion, more than 8,000 military and civilian personnel, operations spanning 42 countries, steadily growing responsibilities across defense and other federal agencies, and an essential role in America’s cyber security, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is actively seeking industry partners and innovative solutions.
That was a core message delivered by Vice Admiral Nancy Norton – Director of DISA and Commander of the Joint Force Headquarters Department of Defense Information Network (JFHQ-DODIN) – to attendees at the Fort Meade Alliance Key Leaders Series in October.
On top of its mission to deliver command and control information sharing capabilities and globally accessible enterprise information infrastructure for warfighters, national leaders and coalition partners, DISA has been taking on additional responsibilities and launching new initiatives.
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Apprenticeship initiative strives to create
non-traditional path to cyber careers
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Faced with shortages of cyber security/information technology workers, disconnects between academic programs and employer needs, and difficulties providing work experiences to students, some training experts are suggesting the CS/IT industry adopt an alternate model of workforce development – namely, apprenticeships.
“This is a way for employers to reimagine workforce, reimagine training, reimagine education and connect with new populations of workers they might not have been considering,” said Chris MacLarion, Director of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training (MAT) program with the Maryland Department of Labor.
Under MAT, the department has approved three CS/IT apprenticeship programs to date. Each includes a temporary position with a sponsoring employer, on-the-job technical training tailored to that employer’s needs, and a course of studies at an academic institution. The Hogan administration has expanded state resources dedicated to offsetting training costs and easing the startup of additional apprenticeships.
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U.S. Army honors FGGM and FMA for its partnership
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The U.S. Department of the Army has awarded Fort George G. Meade and the Fort Meade Alliance a 2019 Army Community Partnership Award for their collaboration to renovate Kuhn Hall into the installation’s new Resiliency and Education Center.
The 9,000-square-foot revamped facility will improve the lives of military personnel, their families and DoD civilians providing a welcoming place to connect with each other as well as vital resources, services and programs for the Fort Meade community.
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"The renovation of Kuhn Hall would not be possible without the support of the community, which saw a need for us to have a dedicated Education and Resiliency Center and worked to make it possible," said Fort Meade Garrison Commander Col. Erich Spragg. "In addition to providing educational, financial and family resources, Kuhn Hall will allow Fort Meade service members to walk into a facility to address mental health issues in a way that will hopefully erase any perceived stigma."
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Community Covenant Council
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The Fort Meade Alliance is proud to once again be part of the Community Covenant Council showing our support of Fort George G Meade.
As a Council, our mission is to provide the Fort Meade Military Community and those who serve there with the support and resources reflective of their commitment to our nation. We recognize that the Fort Meade Community is a valued integral component of our region and major contributor to its strength.
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Remembering Elijah Cummings
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He was best known as a tireless crusader within the halls of Congress for equality, social justice and principled government, but for one morning Elijah Cummings was the man who convinced a group of Meade High School students that they could achieve any dream.
The Representative of Maryland’s Seventh Congressional District had expressed interest in the Homeland Security Program at Meade High School. So when the Fort Meade Alliance arranged an industry event at the Northrop Grumman Electronics Museum to celebrate the program, organizers asked Cummings to be the keynote speaker.
“It was the most moving speech I had ever heard,” said Penny Cantwell, Chair of the FMA Education and Workforce Development Committee.
Standing in front of a crowd of about 200, including 40-plus students from Meade High School, Cummings described how he wasn’t expected to amount to much in life. Born to former sharecroppers, Cummings had been placed in special education in elementary school and had been derided by a guidance counselor when, at age 10, he said he wanted to become a lawyer.
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FMA transforms Arundel Mills into an
exciting STEM Family Night
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The Fort Meade Alliance hosted its 9th Annual STEM Family Night on October 23 with more than 400 elementary and middle schools students, along with their parents enjoying an educational night of hands-on STEM activities.
FMA members, community organizations and area schools transformed Arundel Mills Dining Pavilion into as STEM mecca with robots, drones, games, virtual reality and more to get younger students excited about science, technology, engineering and math.
“This event is important because it gets students exposed and interested in STEM activities at an early age,” said Penny Cantwell, FMA Education and Workforce Development Chair. “We are thankful for the community organizations, companies and schools that take the time to come out and create educational activities to excite them.”
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Save the Date for the FMA Foundation's
Stars in Service Gala on November 21, 2020!
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Planning your budget for 2020?
We have sponsorship opportunities to support this exciting event.
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Destination Fort Meade Guide
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Ad sales are now open for the 12th edition!
Secure your ad space by contacting Karen Austin at 443-231-7438 or
[email protected]
.
You can browse our 11th edition by clicking the image.
If you are interested in acquiring free copies to distribute to your employees or clients, please email Melissa Edwards at
[email protected]
.
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Say hello to our newest partners and members
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Accolade Technologies, LLC
All-In, LLC
Bitwise Creative
Clarity Business Solutions, Inc
CompQsoft, Inc
DataHaven Solutions
Envistacom
EOA Technologies
Holiday Inn Columbia East Jessup
Holiday Inn College Park
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HRUCKUS
Goldbelt Hawk, LLC
Next Phase Solutions, LLC
Orbis Operations
Peterson Technologies
SQn Systems Corp
Succeed To Lead, LLC
X8, LLC
Voyager Software
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Small Business Conference -
SOLD OUT
December 3 from 7:15am-12:00pm
BWI Marriott
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FMA President's Reception
December 11 from 5:30pm-7:30pm
Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel
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Industry Day
February 13, 2020
Westin BWI Airport
Registration to open soon!
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Anne Arundel Community College
AAEDC
ASRC Federal
Boeing Intelligence & Analytics
CACI
Chugach Government Solutions
Ciena Government Solutions, Inc.
Corporate Office Properties Trust
Deloitte, LLP
HCEDA
KeyW Corporation
LG-TEK
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ManTech International Corporation
Oceaneering International, Inc.
Parsons
PCI
Praxis Engineering
Raytheon
SAIC
Tower Federal Credit Union
Vision Technologies
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
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Aronson, LLC
Capitol Technology University
ClearEdge
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DataStax, Inc.
Howard Community College
National Instruments
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