Your FMA Community Report

OCTOBER 2018

Elevation of Cyber Command spurs new

growth and contracts at Fort Meade

The elevation of U.S. Cyber Command to the status of an independent Unified Combatant Command made history this spring. The elevation which was only the 10th in U.S. history, recognized cyber space as a war-fighting domain and provided Cyber Command with a seat at the Joint Chiefs of Staff table.

The change has profound ramifications for both the nation and Fort Meade, where U.S. Cyber Command is headquartered.

The elevation recognizes the critical importance of cyber space as a warfighting domain and provides the capabilities and the authorities to enable this “enhanced mission” within the Department of Defense, said Will Metts, FMA Executive Board Member, Northrop Grumman Director and former Director for Intelligence of U.S. Cyber Command.

That elevation also delivers “a number of unique benefits to the garrison and the State of Maryland,” Metts said.

Col. Erich Spragg – Fort Meade Garrison Commander and a 23-year military intelligence officer – expects at least 3,000 additional personnel to be assigned to Cyber-related agencies on post by 2024.

“The Fort Meade Region has become the center of DoD’s cyber mission – its policies, tactics and strategies for defense and combat in cyber space,” said Tim O’Ferrall, General Manager of the Fort Meade Alliance. “Because that activity is happening here, most people who want to participate in that strategy and understand the direction of DoD cyber defense and offense, will want to be in proximity to Fort Meade.”

Cyber Command’s enhanced mission and new budget will create additional contracting opportunities.

Read the Full Story

New commander focuses on attracting and retaining talent at Fort Meade

Asked about his first months as garrison commander at Fort George G. Meade, Col. Erich Spragg declares, “It’s been an eye-opening experience.”

Before taking command of Fort Meade on August 3, Col. Spragg had served as a military intelligence officer for 23 years. He completed three deployments to Iraq and was subsequently assigned to the Army Staff as the Military Assistant for the Principal Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff. He commanded the 309th Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Huachuca, Arizona from 2014 to 2016 and served as Chief of Knowledge and Analysis Section, NATO Rapid Deployable Corps — Turkey from 2016 to 2017. He holds masters degrees from Georgetown University and the National Defense University.

Col. Spragg arrived at Fort Meade fully prepared to handle any high-level intelligence issues that might arise on a post that serves as headquarters to U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency.

However, “coming into an 06-level command as garrison commander is something they don’t necessarily train you for,” he said. “The challenges that I face as a garrison commander are completely different — anything from figuring out what to do with a large dirt pile to why on earth it takes years to get an entry-and-control point built to how to deal with potholes along the roads and mold in the buildings.”

Read the Full Story

STEM Summer: FMA Members Lockheed Martin and Whiting-Turner Contracting Company inspire Baltimore City Students

While most students were on summer break this year, 32 rising seniors from two Baltimore City high schools spent five weeks studying mathematics and exploring STEM ca-reers.

The students from Digital Harbor and Forest Park high schools formed the first cohort of a new variation of STEM Core – the intensive, personalized education program that helps students build their math skills and pursue STEM careers. The program was a joint effort by Growth Sector, Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore City Community College, The Abell Foundation and the Fort Meade Alliance.

“The original STEM Core was designed for entry level college students,” said Penny Cantwell, Chair of the FMA’s Education Committee. “The program has been very suc-cessful at the Community College of Baltimore County, so the Baltimore City group morphed it into a program for high school students. They felt if students started earlier, they could get a leg up on their education.”

Read the Full Story

Fort Meade and Fort Gordon connect to advance cyber excellence

As part of a mutual effort to support U.S. cyber missions, representatives of the Fort Meade Alliance recently joined an Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation trip to Georgia to tour Fort Gordon and cyber training facilities in Augusta and Atlanta.

“We are shamelessly stealing great ideas from each other to make our military communities better,” said Tom Clark, Executive Director of the CSRA Alliance for Fort Gordon. “We absolutely love the Fort Meade Alliance team and look forward to growing our relationship.”

The interaction between the FMA and the Alliance for Fort Gordon began after the Army announced plans to locate its Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon. The initiative is expected to add 4,700 high-tech and other military personnel to the garrison by 2020. The collaboration – which has already included a visit to Fort Meade by business leaders, educators and government officials from the Fort Gordon region – is helping both regions refine their approaches to mission support, economic development and workforce training.

Read the Full Story

Members Only Cocktail Reception

We held our Members Only Cocktail Reception on September 27 at David's in Maryland Live! Casino. It was a great opportunity to thank our members for their support. Thank you to all who attended!

Upcoming Events

STEM Family Night

October 24, 2018 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Arundel Mills in Hanover

Dining Pavilion

Join us for a free night of fun, STEM-related, hands-on activities for elementary and middle school students

Tech Mania

November 2, 2018 | 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Anne Arundel Community College,

Arundel Mills

*Invited 9th grade students from Anne Arundel, Carroll and Howard County

FMA President's Reception

December 12, 2018 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Maryland Live! Casino & Hotel

7002 Arundel Mills Circle

Hanover, MD 21076

*Registration opens next month

Save the Date: Industry Day - May 7, 2019

FMA Industry Day

May 7, 2019 | 7:30 am - 11:00 am

Westin Baltimore Washington Airport - BWI

Keynote Speaker: Teresa Shea , EVP, IQT Technology, former NSA Director of Signals Intelligence

Industry Panel featuring senior acquisition officials from: U.S. Cyber Command, National Security Agency and

Defense Information Systems Agency

Showcase your company

The Fort Meade Alliance will publish the 11th annual Destination Fort Meade Guide in Spring 2019.

Secure your ad space today to showcase your company to a valued and growing audience throughout the Fort Meade region.

Ad sales close in April 19, 2019. Please contact Kim Horn at 410-864-8991 or [email protected] to secure your ad space today!

Interested in getting more involved in the

FMA Foundation?

We are looking for FMA members to join the Backyard BBQ committee!

As a committee member, you will help come up with ideas for the May 2 event, including décor, help with sponsorships and collecting silent auction items.

If you are interested in joining the committee, please email Rachel Robbins at [email protected].