9/30 National Preparedness Symposium
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9/30 National Preparedness Symposium

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is facing a tremendous number of challenges including more violent and frequent weather incidents, preparedness awareness, long-term disaster recovery efforts and continuing financial constraints.  To achieve the best outcomes, the Department of Homeland Security’s Quadrennial Homeland Security Review identifies strengthening public-private partnerships as critical to integrating the private sector’s innovation, resources, ingenuity and experience to the mission.

Join us to discuss the changing challenges to FEMA and other government facilities posed by changing climate conditions, the advances in alert systems and disaster communications, new technologies to support the mission and what concrete steps we can take to strengthen the exchange between the public and private sector.

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Speakers:
 
Antwane Johnson
Director, IPAWS, FEMA
 

 

 

Anne Petera
DHS Client Executive, Harris


 

 

Gwen Camp
Director of Individual and Community Preparedness, FEMA
 

 

 

 

Brian Lepore

Director of Defense Capabilities and Management, GAO

 


Todd Jasper
Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Man-Machine Systems Assessment

 

  

Kevin Delin
Founder, SensorWare Systems

 

 

 

Ryan DenmarkRyan Denmark
CEO, RSDCGroup

 

 

 

david-mckernanDavid McKernan
Coordinator of Emergency Management, Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management

 


Thank you to our National Preparedness Month Chair!

 

Jason McNamara
Vice President, Obsidian Analysis
Former Chief of Staff, FEMA

 

 

 

If you are interested in supporting the National Preparedness Month program, please contact us!

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7/22 MEMBERS ONLY Tour & Conversation with Col. (Ret.) Lee Wight, Director, WRATC
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7/22 MEMBERS ONLY Tour & Conversation with Col. (Ret.) Lee Wight, Director, WRATC

Colonel (Ret.) Lee T. Wight is detailed as Executive Director, Washington Regional Threat Analysis Center (WRTAC), at Washington, DC’s Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency, while assigned to the Metropolitan DC Police Department. The Center’s mission is to facilitate information sharing and produce high-quality organic intelligence to detect, prevent and respond to all hazards to DC and the National Capital Region. He is also the Vice President of the National Fusion Center Association, representing 78 DHS-regionally recognized fusion centers across the US and its territories.

Col Lee Tip Wight(Ret.) Wight is a Hobbs, New Mexico, native.   Prior to retiring from the USAF after 27 years of service, Col (Ret.) Wight served as the Chief of Air Force Strategy at the Pentagon, where he focused on future threats, alternative force structures, and developed long term strategic policy. He was also Commander, 52d Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, where he led over 16,000 military, civilian and dependent personnel who maintained, deployed and employed F-16 and A-10 aircraft, TPS 75 radar systems and $2.5B of U.S. Protection level 1 assets. Prior to joining the AF, Col (R.) Wight served as a Police Officer for the University of Oklahoma and the City of Moore, OK from 1980-1985. Colonel Wight has two children, Taylor (28) and Shanna (22).

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About Fusion Centers:

Primary fusion centers serve as the focal points within the state and local environment for the receipt, analysis, gathering, and sharing of threat-related information and have additional responsibilities related to the coordination of critical operational capabilities across the statewide fusion process with other recognized fusion centers. Furthermore, primary centers are the highest priority for the allocation of available federal resources, including the deployment of personnel and connectivity with federal data systems.  Learn more here.

 

6/12 MEGA Matchmaking & Mentoring
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6/12 MEGA Matchmaking & Mentoring

Join the Government Technology & Services Coalition for a day of matchmaking, mentoring and networking to find new teaming partners, mentors and mentor protege relationships!

The Government Technology & Services Coalition and Government Contracting Weekly partnered to recognize exceptional mentors in the government contracting community.

 The awards program recognizes and salutes government contractors for their leadership and concrete actions in assisting small government contracting firms through mentoring, training, inspiration, teaming and cooperation.  The awards recognize that mentoring is critical to the contracting community.  Large firms that mentor small companies play a critical role in saving their Federal clients money and time, commit to putting action behind the mantra of bringing “innovation and creativity” to the Federal mission and bring a higher level of professionalism to the contracting community.

Honoring our Federal Small Business Titans:  

Frank Barros 

Program Analyst, Science & Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Sandra Broadnax 

Director, Small Business Programs, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency

Peggy Butler

Deputy Director, Army Office of Small Business Programs, Subcontracting and Mentor Protege Program Manager, U.S. Department of Defense

Elissa Sobolewski 

SBIR Ptorgram Director, Science & Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

 

Federal Small Business Titan of the YEAR: 

Kevin Boshears
 Director, Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER ANNOUNCED FOR MATCHMAKING SESSION
Les Rose is the Corporate Vice President & President of L3 National Security Solutions group. He also serves as the co-chair of the GTSC Mentor Forum. L-3 NSS’ six operating units deliver full-spectrum cyber operations, enterprise and mission information technology, intelligence operations support and operational infrastructure solutions.
Mr. Rose’s career has spanned over 40 years of management and engineering. Upon completing a successful 20-year career as an officer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and as an Army pilot, Mr. Rose joined Delta Research Corporation, an L-3 legacy company in 1990. He was promoted to president of Delta Research, and through a series of acquisitions and promotions became president of L-3 STRATIS one of the largest division of the global defense leader. Today Mr. Rose serves as president of both L-3 STRATIS and L-3 NSS. Mr. Rose holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Are you a small business interested in teaming partners?  Do you work on:

  • information technology
  • identity management
  • configuration management
  • help desk.call center support
  • warfighter support services
  • C4ISR experience
  • Maritime/Port security operations services
  • Wireless Network technical support
  • Health IT
  • information security/information assurance
  • IA support for validation testing
  • logistics support
  • networks services
  • modeling and simulation
  • training courseware capabilities
  • Intelligence Community IT services
  • or other services?

Join us for an afternoon of new contacts, teaming and insight into new market areas.

TENTATIVE AGENDA – GTSC Small Business Mega-Matchmaking & The Mentor Awards

1:00 pm  Introduction

1:15 – 4:00 pm  Matchmaking with GTSC Mentors and other large companies

4:30 pm  Small Business Government Panel

5:30 pm  The Mentor Awards program and reception

Download the Brochure.

Mentors in matchmaking 2014

Get a Data Breach Response Plan
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Get a Data Breach Response Plan

As data breaches proliferate in and outside the government, companies are faced with serious ramifications if not addressed by leadership.  With the DOD-GSA Cyber Resilience Rules looming, the NIST framework on the horizon and cyber security identified as the major priority for Congress and the Administration, GTSC’s Capacity Building session on data breach will focus on your company preparedness, incident response, notification and legal responsibilities when experiencing a data breach.  Attendees will receive a Data Breach Response Guide and walk through hands-on procedures and considerations for your data breach policy.  This is a must-attend for all small and mid-sized businesses working in the homeland and national security field.

May 22, 2014 | 8:30 am – 11:30 am
Arlington, VA

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About Michael Bruemmer

Michael Bruemmer ExperianMichael Bruemmer is Vice President of the Experian®Data Breach Resolution group at Experian Consumer Services, the leading provider of online consumer credit reports, credit scores, credit monitoring, other credit-related information, and protection products. With more than 25 years in the industry, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge related to business operations and development in the identity theft and fraud resolution space where he has educated businesses of all sizes and sectors through pre-breach and breach response planning and delivery, including notification, call center and identity protection services. Michael is a Certified Information Privacy Professional and Certified in Healthcare Compliance.  He currently resides on the Ponemon Responsible Information Management (RIM) Board, the International Security Management Group (ISMG) Editorial Advisory Board and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Certification Advisory Board.   >>READ More.

4/25 MEMBERS ONLY Business Development Exchange
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4/25 MEMBERS ONLY Business Development Exchange

Randy Lange, Chief Growth Officer at Eagle Ray, Inc. will Chair GTSC’s Business Development Exchange.
The group is open to all members and seeks to create a trusted environment to exchange information on opportunities, strategies for teaming/partnering with other GTSC members and discussions of trends and opportunity tracking.  The first meeting will take place April 25 from 11:30 am -1:00 pm to discuss the parameters of the group, what types of discussions would help with finding the right partners and how to create a trusted environment for information exchange.  Eagle Ray has been generous enough to provide lunch.  Please RSVP if you will attend.  This meeting is for GTSC members only.
5/1 Federal Biometrics: Understanding USCIS with Leslie Hope
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5/1 Federal Biometrics: Understanding USCIS with Leslie Hope

Biometrics is changing the way law enforcement and agencies that must track, identifiy and authenticate users aproach security.  The Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Department’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services biometric capture services at over 130 application support centers across the country. Biometrics are used to  process U.S. citizenship applications and immigration benefits applications.

USCIS collects photographs, digital fingerprints, passport scans, driver’s license scans, signatures, and other biometrics data from applicants. This information is used by the USCIS to determine qualifications for immigration benefits. The data is also used to conduct criminal background checks, which are required for the processing of many immigration benefits.

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Leslie Hope
Chief
DHS/UCCIS/ESD/Biometrics Division

 

About Leslie Hope
Leslie Hope is Chief of the Biometrics Division at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a component of the Department of Homeland Security.  Ms. Hope serves as program manager and business owner for all biometric systems at USCIS and manages 137 Application Support Centers (ASCs) across the United States. ASCs allow applicants seeking an immigration benefit to submit biometrics to establish identity and to assist USCIS in determining eligibility with a background check. The results of background checks are disseminated for adjudication to USCIS operational directorates across the United States.  Ms. Hope has over 20 years’ experience supporting DHS in a variety of roles; to include acting CIO and Deputy CIO for many years.  Prior to joining the government Ms. Hope spent 15 years managing technology in the banking and airline industries.

 

4/24 FedRAMP with Maria Roat
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4/24 FedRAMP with Maria Roat

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is a government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services.  The Federal Risk and Authorization Program (FedRAMP) represents a unique opportunity for Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) doing business with the federal government. FedRAMP provides agencies and CSPs alike with a standard approach for conducting security assessments, replacing varied and duplicative procedures across government.  The FedRAMP approach is based on an accepted set of baseline security controls and consistent processes that have been vetted and agreed upon by agencies across the federal government.  Per the OMB memo published on December 8, 2011, all low and moderate impact cloud services leveraged by more than one office or agency must comply with FedRAMP requirements by 2014.  If you are a CSP doing business with government, we encourage you to attend this session and learn more about how FedRAMP works.

Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) play an integral role in the FedRAMP process.

  • Directly apply or work with a sponsoring agency to submit an offering for FedRAMP authorization
  • Implement the baseline security controls and meet the accompanying FedRAMP requirements
  • Hire an accredited Third Party Assessment Organization to perform an independent system assessment when working toward a Joint Authorization Board Provisional Authorization or submitting a package without an Agency ATO
  • Create and submit an authorization package
  • Provide continuous monitoring reports and updates to FedRAMP

Cloud services offer agencies capabilities and opportunities for cost savings, business improvements, and increased efficiency.

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OUR SPEAKER

MAria Roat

Maria Roat
FedRAMP Director
Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies
U.S. General Services Administration

About Maria Roat

Maria A. Roat became FedRAMP Director, Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technology, General Services Administration in January 2013 bringing 30 years of professional experience in information technology, including operations and intelligence.

Previously Ms. Roat served as Deputy Chief Information Officer, Director for Administration within the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS/FEMA), November 2011.

Ms. Roat served as Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) in DHS Headquarters, September 2008.

She directed the OCIO Front Office, which serves as the principal administrative advisor to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Deputy CIO, with responsibilities for budget, acquisitions, communications, human resources, and support programs.

Ms. Roat joined DHS in June 2004, first serving at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), where she was Deputy Director, Technology Development, 2005-2006, for TSA’s Secure Flight Program.  In August 2006, Ms. Roat began serving at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), as the Program Manager for the Fraud Detection and National Security System, and then Chief of Staff, Office of Information Technology (OIT), where she managed OIT operations and administration, in addition to holding responsibility as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with oversight of all aspects of USCIS’ Information Security Program.

Ms. Roat retired from the U.S. Navy in 2007, with 26 years of active duty and reserve service, in which she obtained the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer, Information Systems Technician.  Ms. Roat served in numerous leadership positions including Command Master Chief for the Reserve Intelligence Area Washington (2002-2005) and the Center for Navy Leadership Mid-Atlantic (2005-2007).  Additionally, she served on the National Naval Reserve Policy Board (2004-2006) to review policy issues submitted from the fleet and provide recommendations and implementation strategies for consideration by the Secretary of the Navy’s Policy Board.  Ms. Roat also served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (1991-1992), when she was recalled to active duty.

Ms. Roat holds an A.S., Computer Science, is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program for Leadership Development, and a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy.

4/8 Mentor Session with BDO
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4/8 Mentor Session with BDO

Public sector entities are facing challenging times. Achieving agency missions has become increasingly difficult, population dynamics and constituencies are changing dramatically, the workforce is undergoing unprecedented transition, and government leaders need to accomplish more with significantly reduced budgets. Adding to the challenge, in an environment of 24-7 media coverage, even the most difficult decisions made in good faith can be immediately broadcast to a global audience, making even the most seasoned government executives uncertain about how to successfully lead their organizations to accomplish multiple objectives.

Having led government departments and agencies, BDO’s Public Sector practice leaders understand this unique environment. They bring to bear this experience, combined with commercial best practices, to help you address a wide range of challenges. At a time when government leaders need independent, objective support, BDO stands ready with proactive guidance and perspective. We assist government leaders and program managers in navigating what can be a tumultuous landscape by developing strategies to improve program efficiency and effectiveness, identifying organizational risk, ensuring efficient use of resources, and mapping and implementing plans for linking organizational policies with program and contract requirements.

Beyond traditional audit, tax and consulting work, BDO helps our government clients with a comprehensive array of services including organizational strategies, fraud detection and prevention, program evaluation and litigation support. Wherever government entities operate, our professionals provide swift resolution of technical issues and questions through partner-led client service teams, direct access to technical leaders, and the resources of our global network in more than 100 countries.

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About our speaker:

 Chuck Wolverton, Director, Federal Practive, BDO
A management consultant and certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and a Top Secret clearance, with broad experience in the areas of strategic planning, operations, transformation and change, communications, executive facilitation, and program management.  Mr. Wolverton will join GTSC to discuss BDO, one of the largest professional services firms in the country.  Mr. Wolverton will discuss the firm’s Federal practice, their strategy in the market, how they add value to the mission of their Federal partners and opportunities they see in the near future.  Mr. Wolverton will also discuss partnership with small business, their small business goals and what they look for in small business partners.

 

About GTSC’s Mentor Companies

The Government Technology & Services Coalition’s (GTSC) Mentor companies understand how critical a robust, successful homeland and national security market is to our nation’s security.  Together with our members, these firms are committed to bringing the innovation, ideas and agility of small business to the experience, infrastructure and resources of large companies.  GTSC mentors join us to provide advice and counsel to small and mid-sized companies, find new and innovative teaming partners, address challenges in the prime/subcontractor relationship in a neutral environment and improve mentor/protégé communication and success.  Both our large and small companies recognize that the best security for our citizens – both physically and economically — is derived from the ability of our markets to meet the challenges posed by terrorism, natural disasters, and criminal activity.

Feb. 19: Michele Leonhardt, Administrator, DEA, DOJ
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Feb. 19: Michele Leonhardt, Administrator, DEA, DOJ

Join us February 19 to hear from

Michele LeonhardtMichele Leonhardt
Administrator
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
U.S. Department of Justice

10:00 am – 12:00pm
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Administrator Leonhardt will discuss the DEA’s mission, priorities and challenges for 2014.

About Michele Leonhardt
Michele M. Leonhart was unanimously confirmed as the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration by the U.S. Senate on December 22, 2010, following her nomination by President Obama in February 2010. In that capacity, Ms. Leonhart, a career DEA Special Agent, directs the $3 billion agency and is responsible for over 10,000 employees in domestic offices throughout the U.S. and in 86 foreign offices in 67 countries. Ms. Leonhart had been the Acting Administrator since November 2007, and served as DEA’s Deputy Administrator since 2004.

Prior to becoming Administrator and Deputy Administrator, Ms. Leonhart held several positions within DEA’s Senior Executive Service (SES). She was the Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division from 1998-2003. In that capacity, she commanded one of DEA’s largest Field Divisions and was responsible for all enforcement and administrative operations in the Los Angeles area, as well as Nevada, Hawaii, Guam and Saipan. She previously held the position of Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s San Francisco Field Division from 1997-1998, becoming DEA’s first female ever to be promoted to the position of Special Agent in Charge. Ms. Leonhart’s first appointment within the SES was in 1996 when she spearheaded DEA’s Special Agent Recruitment efforts at DEA Headquarters.

As a career DEA Special Agent, Ms. Leonhart held several key positions as she moved through the ranks of DEA. In 1995 she was promoted to the position of Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Division, responsible for Southwest Border enforcement operations and division administrative functions. Between 1993 and 1995, Ms. Leonhart held management positions within DEA Headquarters to include Career Board Executive Secretary, Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) Inspector, and Staff Coordinator in the Operations Division. Ms. Leonhart’s first supervisory position was in DEA’s San Diego Field Division. Prior to that, Ms. Leonhart initiated major drug investigations and conspiracy cases in Minneapolis and St. Louis, and served as a DEA Special Agent recruiter.

While at DEA, she attended Boston University’s Leadership Institute, and is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations in recognition of her leadership, performance and commitment to public service. She was awarded the rank of Distinguished Executive by President Bush in 2004, the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service from President Bush in 2005, and the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service from President Clinton in 2000. Additionally, Administrator Leonhart received the Law Enforcement Exploring William H. Spurgeon Award in 2006, the Women in Federal Law Enforcement Outstanding Federal Law Enforcement Employee Award in 2005, and the Administrator’s Award in 1993.

Ms. Leonhart has more than 30 years in law enforcement, beginning her law enforcement career as a Baltimore City Police Officer after graduating from college in Minnesota with a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice in 1978. She joined the ranks of DEA as a Special Agent in 1980. A native of Minnesota, Ms. Leonhart is married and has two sons.