FAIRFAX, Va., March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Council for Technology (ACT) and its industry counterpart, the Industry Advisory Council (IAC), today announced the second annual Technology Leadership Conference (TLC) to be held March 25-27 at the Marriott Mission Valley in San Diego , California. The conference addresses the topic of "regional resiliency", and will focus on the application of information technologies (IT) to solve the challenges of the homeland security preparedness lifecycle. TLC features panel discussions, live demonstrations, and an off-site tour of an emergency preparedness center. Last year, the conference addressed "Information Technologies for Defending the Homeland" and attracted over 100 participants from both government and industry.
Once again, the conference brings together distinguished local, state and national senior-level practitioners to discuss disaster management and regional resiliency. Representing the private, military, and public sectors, these experts will present case studies and scenarios. Through interactive participation, attendees will learn about the lifecycle of homeland security and then explore how information technology can support this lifecycle better, faster, and cheaper. IT professionals who are involved in any aspect of Homeland Security are encouraged to attend.
"The question we want to address is, 'How prepared are we and what do we still need to do?"" said conference co-chair John Kammerer of SPAWAR (Space and Naval Warfare) Systems Center San Diego. "We need public/private cooperation and collaboration to address the homeland security 'lifecycle'. This lifecycle consists of four phases; preparation, response; recovery; and mitigation which calls for lessons learned. All of these are important steps to understand and undertake. The conference focuses on where IT best fits into each stage of the lifecycle and how we, as the public/private sector, cooperate, to be better prepared to deal with disasters, terrorism, or any other threat to our safety or well being."
Jill Olen , Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Public /safety and Homeland Security, City of San Diego , will open the conference. Speakers include Matthew Bettenhausen , Executive Director, Governors Office of Homeland Security, State of California, who will be the opening keynote speaker. Tuesday's lunch keynote will be delivered by Rear Admiral Leendert "Len" Hering, Sr., Commander, Navy Region Southwest. Michael Jones , Chief Technology Officer, Google Earth, Google Maps, and Google Local Search, will also be speaking at the conference.
Conference topics include: Exploring the Holistic Impact of a Disaster; Cybersecurity - Essential Public and Private Cooperation; and, Information Sharing--Coordinating C2 and Telecom in San Diego . A sampling of conference speakers include: David Fukutomi, ICF International, and former FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer; Dick Andrews , Senior Advisor, National Center for Crisis and Continuity Coordination; Tracey Jarman , Fire Chief, City of San Diego (invited); Joe Rozek , Executive Director, Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, Microsoft; Gary Wang , Chief Technology Officer SPAWAR System Center, San Diego; Nancy Ward , Regional Director, FEMA, Region IX (invited); Ron Lane , Director of the Office of Emergency Services for the County of San Diego ; and John MacIntryre, Homeland Security Program manager for the Port of San Diego .
The conference will also feature an on-site demonstration of the National Exercise Simulation Network (SIMNET) and an off-site tour of the Sempra Emergency Operations Center.
This conference is on the record and open to the working press and photographers.
For further information, please see www.actgov.org/TLC2008 or contact Megan Price , ACT-IAC Conference and Event Manager via email [email protected] or phone 703-208-4800 X209.
About the American Council for Technology and the Industry Advisory Council
The American Council for Technology (ACT) is a non-profit educational organization established in 1979 to assist government in acquiring and using information technology resources effectively and efficiently. Working with all levels of government, ACT provides education, programming, and networking opportunities that enhance and advance the government IT profession. In 1989 ACT established the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) to bring industry and government executives together to exchange information, support professional development, improve communications, and build partnership and trust, thereby enhancing government's ability to serve the nation. ACT and IAC work together to provide an objective, professional and ethical forum where government and industry leaders can collaborate on addressing common issues towards a shared vision. For more information, visit www.actgov.org or call (703) 208-4800.
SOURCE The American Council for Technology
