Next week I’ll be attending my second TechNet Augusta conference, sponsored by AFCEA, the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. Last year, TechNet Augusta attracted some of the U.S. armed forces’ top brass. This year is no different.
The theme for TechNet Augusta 2014 is “Achieving Force 2025 Through Signals and Cyber.” It will feature panel discussions, keynotes and track sessions focused on empowering the U.S. armed forces to connect and dominate through enhanced technology.
During TechNet Augusta 2014, speakers representing all branches of the military, as well as federal agencies, businesses and top universities will cover a broad range of topics, including the importance of collaboration, cybersecurity issues and training to meet emerging challenges in 2025 and beyond.
TechNet Augusta 2014 kicks off with a Tuesday morning opening ceremony featuring Lieutenant General Cardon, who is commanding general of the U.S. Army Cyber Command. A graduate of the National War College and West Point, Cardon served as commanding general of 2nd Infantry Division before heading up the Cyber Command.
Tuesday’s lunchtime keynote will feature Army Chief Information Officer/G-6 Lieutenant General Robert Ferrell. As the Army’s CIO, Ferrell reports directly to the secretary of the Army, and he provides strategic direction and objectives for the Army. He supervises all Army Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) and IT functions, including the Army’s $10 billion IT budget.
During Tuesday’s luncheon, AFCEA will also announce its chapter awards and honor enlisted superior performers.
Wednesday’s keynote features Major General Stephen Fogarty, who is the incoming commanding general of the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon in Augusta. Before his appointment to Fort Gordon, Fogarty served as deputy chief of staff intelligence for International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan.
Lieutenant General Patrick J. Donahue, deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Forces Command will speak during TechNet Augusta’s Thursday morning keynote. A master parachutist, Donahue graduated from Harvard University with a master’s degree in public administration, and while attending the University of Innsbruck in Austria, he was an Olmsted Scholar.
Attendees of Thursday’s lunchtime keynote will get the chance to see Lieutenant General Mark Bowman, who is director of C4 and CIO for the Joint Chiefs at the Pentagon. He works directly with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
TechNet Augusta 2014 will also feature two panel sessions of special note:
Chief Warrant Officer Panel Session: Entitled “Cyber Center of Excellence Support to JIE,” this panel will be moderated by Signal Regiment CWO5 Peter Winter. JIE stands for Joint Information Environment and is a joint organization comprised of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer, Department of Defense CIO, Joint Staff J6, CYBERCOM, military services, intelligence community, and National Guard. The discussion will include panelists representing the Marines, the Pentagon, the National Guard, and the U.S. Navy Fleet Cyber Command. The panel is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, in the Oglethorpe Ballroom at the Augusta Convention Center.
Industry Panel Session: Entitled “How Do We Provide Mission Capabilities in a Resource Constrained Environment?,” this session will be moderated by former General Dynamics vice president Tom Davis. The panel also includes Raytheon Intelligence’s chief innovation officer Mark Bigham, Harris Corporation vice president Dennis Moran, Booz Allen Hamilton senior vice president Joseph Sifer, and URS Federal Services vice president Michael Peterson. The panel is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, in the Oglethorpe Ballroom at the Augusta Convention Center.
If you want to keep up with what’s going on at TechNet Augusta 2014, follow us on Twitter @GKonGovt for daily updates.