Anne Arundel Hosts Georgia Cyber Delegation, Showcases Fort Meade Area Cyber Growth

February 23, 2018

This week Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) hosted a two day visit with a cyber-focused delegation from Georgia. Visitors represented organizations such as the Georgia Technology Authority, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Augusta University and the Fort Gordon Alliance.  The purpose of the visit to Anne Arundel County was to hear about the transformation of Fort Meade over the last decade and the growth of the county’s technology industry. The meetings were a timely visit as the Georgia delegation prepares for the construction of the Hull McKnight Georgia Cyber Center for Innovation and Training in Augusta which aims to support the growth of Army cyber on Fort Gordon.

The visit began with remarks from Fort Meade Garrison Commander Colonel Thomas Rickard, Tim O’Ferrall, General Manager, Fort Meade Alliance and Maureen McMahon, Deputy Superintendent, Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS). Roundtable discussion focused on roadway and infrastructure projects. The group also discussed collaboration with AACPS and Fort Meade Alliance to complement the school system’s robust STEM programs.  The partnership aims to enhance cyber curricula with the addition of experts from Fort Meade cyber units, providing an unmatched educational experience at on post schools.

The delegation was welcomed by County Executive Steve Schuh over lunch which was hosted by Judi Emmel, Director for State & Local Affairs for the National Security Agency. The group also received an overview on the elevation of U.S. Cyber Command.

During the session, the delegation listened to presentations by Mark Miraglia, Cyber Program Manager at the Maryland Department of Commerce and AAEDC Business Development Associate for technology Sarah Horta. The briefings highlighted Anne Arundel County’s fiber network, state resources for cyber technology businesses and the Arundel Tech Toolbox.

To conclude a full first day, Greg Prossner from COPT and Tate Armstrong of Konterra headed a bus tour of National Business Park and Annapolis Junction Business Park. Discussion revolved around area real estate and the development of secured work space within close proximity to Fort Meade.

The final day of the Georgia Cyber Delegation’s visit took place at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve where the Fort Meade Alliance’s Tim O’Ferrall moderated a panel on the opportunities and challenges of doing business at Fort Meade with two prominent members of the cyber region, Bill Dunahoo of Praxis Engineering and Ron Fodor of Leidos. Education and workforce development were highlighted during a second panel discussion. The group included Brian Loggins of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Greg Simmons of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Greg Von Lehman and Kelly Wilmeth of the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) andTom Sadowski of the University System of Maryland. The key takeaway formed from the discussion was the need for the industry to invest and partner with academia in order to grow the local cyber workforce.

The group’s last stop was a tour of the Cyber Center at the Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), an NSA recognized Cyber Center of Excellence.  Dr. Lance Bowen, Dean of Science and Technology, highlighted cyber education certifications and AACC’s Workforce Development Consultant Melanie Koorey discussed training development.

The need for a technology proficient workforce will become more pronounced especially in communities around the country with a growing cyber industry such as Fort Meade and Fort Gordon. AAEDC recognizes the need for collaboration and partnerships to meet these challenges and was able to highlight the best practices of Maryland’s cyber ecosystem to assist economic development colleagues in Georgia.

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