TechEDGE 2013 speakers announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – May 7, 2013 – LYNCHBURG, Va. — The Lynchburg, Virginia regional area is anticipating another dynamic line-up of speakers for the Region 2000 Technology Council’s half day conference TechEDGE 2013 on May 23 in downtown. TechEDGE continues to gain momentum as the premiere business, education and technology conference for the area. Last year’s conference featured a diverse mix of leaders discussing critical technology and business related topics affecting local organizations and professionals- this year will continue to highlight relevant issues with a new mix of topics and speakers.

Some of the featured speakers who will be presenting include:

• John Provo, Director, Office of Economic Development of Virginia Tech
• Rob McClintock, VP of Research for Virginia Economic Development Partnership
• Alex Euler the Investment Director for CIT Gap Funds
• Tom Scott Professor at Sweet Briar College
• Jonathan Hagmaier, CEO of Interactive Achievement, Inc.
• Elizabeth Narehood, Director of the Future Focus Foundation,
• Denise Scruggs, Director of the Beard Center on Aging at Lynchburg College
• Connie Burnette, VP, Department Manager of Human Resources at Wiley Wilson
• Bob Bailey, Executive Director, of the Center for Advanced Engineering and Research (CAER)
• Michael Drzal, Principle/Attorney at LeClair Ryan
• Dr. Andrew Cook Sr, Senior Vice President Operational Excellence and Innovation at AREVA
• Alan Wood, CEO, Piedmont Community Health Plan

Session themes and sponsors, which also correspond to regional technology awards, include: Leadership (sponsored by CIT), Entrepreneurship (sponsored by AMTI), STEM Education and Workforce Development (sponsored by Lumos Networks), and Innovation (sponsored by AREVA). Session talks include:

• The New Economy And Why What Your Dad Told You Is Wrong
• Why Virginia Tops The Charts And What’s About To Change
• Why Now Is The Time To Start A Technology Company Top 5 Things
• Entrepreneurs Want And Need Right Now
• If At First You Don’t Succeed, Fail Again
• How Stem Education Will Save Our Economy
• Baby Boomers And The Impending Workforce Shortage
• The HR Perspective – Who We’re Looking To Hire
• The Impact And Future Of Regional Research Clusters
• Crowdsourcing and Crowdfunding
• What Innovation Is And Is Not
• Health Insurance, What In The World Is Going On?

This half-day regional conference will be capped off in the evening with member exhibits and casual business networking. Registration is anticipated to continue filling up quickly, so those attending are encouraged to reserve seats as soon as possible.

For more information on TechEDGE 2013 please visit: http://www.Techcouncil.us/techedge

View the official press release at PRLog.org, below or download it here

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Virginia’s Region 2000 Technology Council hosts the Lynchburg area’s premiere regional business and education conference for the second year. TechEDGE features a dozen speakers, technology awards, member exhibits and business networking.

PRLog (Press Release) – Mar. 15, 2013 – LYNCHBURG, Va. — For the second year in a row Virginia’s Region 2000 Technology Council is hosting TechEDGE – a regional business and education conference featuring trends in technology and innovation – that offers a dynamic opportunity to learn from expert speakers, celebrate innovators, and network with the top movers and shakers of the local area.

TechEDGE 2013 will combine awards with themed panel presentations from regional and statewide business, education and technology leaders throughout the day, culminating in a casual business networking event in the evening. It will take place May 23 in downtown Lynchburg at the Holiday Inn from 1-8 p.m.

Award nominations in the following categories will be given:  Innovator of the Year, STEM Educator of the Year, Technology Company of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year. Technology Council award nominations are a great way to honor outstanding businesses, individuals and educators in our community that are focused on technology excellence. For award nomination information and to register, go to: http://www.techcouncil.us/techedge“

For the official press release go: here or see below.

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Liberty University Technology Education Center

Liberty University’s Technology Education Center (TEC) offers training and testing to help professionals advance in their careers. TEC’s offerings and services have been expanded through a new partnership with Acknowledge IT, a training and consulting company located in Roanoke, Va. This new partnership has allowed the university to increase its services by offering professionals a wide variety of both certification and non-certification courses.

Highlighted certification testing and/or training classes include:

• Cisco
• Apple
• Windows
• CompTIA A+
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Server
• Adobe Creative Suite
• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
• Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)

All training and testing are offered at our state-of-the-art facility, conveniently located on Liberty University’s campus. Customized classes are available.

Earning certifications helps differentiate professionals in today’s competitive job market by equipping them with advanced skills. For employers, certifications provide skill-verification tools that not only help assess a person’s skills in using various programs but also the ability to quickly complete on-the-job tasks.

Liberty University’s TEC is a certified Pearson VUE, Prometric and Certiport Testing Center.
For more information on courses offered, costs including special offers, and sign up information please visit: www.liberty.edu/TEC

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ABOUT LIBERTY
Liberty University, located in Lynchburg, Va., is the world’s largest Christian university. More than 12,000 students attend classes on its 6,800-acre residential campus and nearly 100,000 study in its thriving online education program. www.liberty.edu

Media Contact:
Jessica Johnson, Liberty University
434-592-3794 | jessica [at] liberty [dot] edu

Download information flyer: here

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TechEDGE 2013 – Lynchburg, Virginia

Last year we launched TechEDGE – the premiere regional technology conference in the Lynchburg area. Power-packed with a myriad of leaders and excerpts in their field – from the worlds of business, education, non-profits, and government – with insights into how technology is driving change that effects us all. Combined with our annual technology awards, TechEDGE was the continuation of our efforts to highlight the best and brightest in the regional technology community and beyond.

This year we are doing it all again with TechEDGE 2013! Don’t miss the biggest…and only convergence of technology movers and shakers in our region on May 23, 2013 at the Holiday Inn on Main Street in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Save the date, spread the word and be looking for details in the coming weeks right here on the Region 2000 Technology Council website.

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Embracing B.Y.O.D. – The New Reality of Bring Your Own Device.

Embracing B.Y.O.D. – The New Reality of “Bring Your Own Device”

The challenge of technology consumerization means employees have access to consumer-friendly technology tools that outpace the resources typically currently deployed within many organizations.

They arrive at work with more technology skills, expectations and devices than ever. The bar has been raised on how they expect to work, communicate and collaborate – and they expect to be able to do so with a growing list of mobile computing devices.

At this Wired Wednesday, we will provide a primer (and a few sanity checks) on how to embrace BYOD and accommodate these increased expectations; all while still ensuring the delivery of a secure, collaborative work experience that fits within the goals of your organization.

SPEAKER: DAVID CARTER, SR. IT CONSULTANT, ADVANCED LOGIC INDUSTRIES
David specializes in helping organizations align their mission, vision and values to technologies and resources that align with those goals; from strategic planning and design, through implementation and support. Previous experience includes a successful career with Dell as an Education Specialist, a CIO for a high tech R&D firm and as the CIO of 2 large school districts.

This is an excellent opportunity to network with other members of our region’s growing technology community over lunch. Come join us for Wired Wednesday!

Details:

When: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 (noon – 1:30pm)
Where: Holiday Inn, Main St. Lynchburg
Cost: $10 members, $15 non-members

Event sponsored by Advanced Logic Industries

REGISTER NOW

Download the event flyer: here

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AREVA and CVCC offer summer apprenticeship

If you have a student interested in S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and math) this is a great opportunity from AREVA and CVCC for the coming Summer:

“Summer will be here before we know it and with it another year of excitement for a number of area rising high school juniors, seniors and/or graduates. Over the last seven years, AREVA NP Inc. has coordinated a program known as the Summer High School Apprenticeship Program (or SHSAP for short) as a result of a Grow Your Own Workforce Development Program and Nuclear Technology Initiative partnership between AREVA and Central Virginia Community College (CVCC). This year is no exception as we will once again be offering students the opportunity to realize their potential in a nuclear industry career and join us at AREVA for the summer to experience just a sampling of what that career would be like.

We will be holding an informational presentation and facilities tour on Thursday evening, February 28, 2013 at 6:30pm at the AREVA Mill Ridge Road location for interested students and their parents. Please encourage prospective students to attend this event, as much additional information will be shared. Due to the large number of candidates attending in the past, individuals are required to RSVP by phone to 434-832-7624 by 5:00pm on February 25, 2013.

For more details or information feel free to contact Ruth Hendrick, Vice President of CVCC Workforce Solutions & Community Education, via email at: hendrickr [at] cvcc [dot] vccs [dot] edu“

Download the flyer: here.

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Innovative Wireless Technologies Acquires L-3 Mining Business

Innovative Wireless Technologies, Inc. (IWT) recently announced that IWT has acquired L-3 National Security Solutions, Inc.’s (L-3 NSS) wireless mesh mining communications business, effective immediately. As part of the agreement IWT acquired the primary assets of L-3 NSS’s mining business: the Accolade Wireless Mesh Communications System and all its current and in-development products. IWT will provide operational support for all mines where the ACCOLADE system is deployed.

“We are very excited to have reached this agreement with L-3 NSS to acquire their mining business“ said Eric Hansen, President and CEO of IWT. “As the wireless mesh technology provider to L-3 NSS in the development and support of the ACCOLADE system we have been actively involved in the mining market for several years. We look forward to working more directly with the mining customers and are ready and able to support and build on the excellent reputation the system has attained.”

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About IWT

Innovative Wireless Technologies (IWT) is a leading supplier of wireless ad hoc mesh radios, integrated systems and wireless design engineering services. We take your problem and apply our expertise in systems engineering, modeling, software, hardware and lean manufacturing to deliver a total solution. Our radios, gateways, application software and integrated products have been deployed in some of the largest, most demanding wireless sensor networks to date. We supply our products and services to system integrators and end users in the commercial, industrial, energy, public safety and defense sectors.

To learn more about Innovative Wireless Technologies visit: www.iwtwireless.com

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Advanced Logic Industries acquires Brush Mtn Data Center

Advanced Logic Industries (ALI) is pleased to announce that it has acquired Brush Mountain Data Center. This regional IT data center has been providing private cloud services and data hosting from its location at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (CRC) in Blacksburg since 2006.

According to ALI’s President & CEO, Mike Barry,

“This is a game changer for our clients looking to reduce risk and cost. Brush Mountain Data Center’s hybrid-cloud services offer unique flexibility allowing equipment to be secured and managed either by on-site staff or our clients’ personnel.

A proven business model and enhanced resources uniquely available at the CRC make Brush Mountain Data Center an excellent fit for ALI. We are already planning the introduction of enhanced services to the local CRC community, our clients and the community at large.”

The ALI support team will continue to work closely with Doug Mauer and his staff at Biz Net Technologies to ensure a seamless transition. It is expected that the growth of Brush Mountain Data Center will continue ALI’s history of providing technology jobs in the community.

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About the company:

ALI is a Mid-Atlantic IT systems integrator focused is delivering value-driven technology solutions to support clients’ key organizational objectives.

Contact:
Parker Pearson
Vice President, Marketing
Ph: (434) 386-4284
parker [at] ali-inc [dot] com

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Apps4VA

Apps4VA is a program jointly sponsored by the Center for Innovative Technology and the Virginia Department of Education. This program challenges the public to design innovative uses for education data and will award more than $25K in cash and prizes. There are two opportunities for community involvement: the Apps4VA High School Competition and the Apps4VA Open Competition.

High School Competition (Deadline: January 31, 2013)
The Apps4VA High School Competition asks high school students either to outline a theoretical software application or to create an actual working application based on K-12 datasets. Apps may be for any platform and mashups are eligible. Participants may compete as individuals or as teams, and winners will earn cash prizes for themselves and for their schools. A special teacher award will be awarded to the teacher who sponsors the most student entries.

Open Competition (Deadline: January 31, 2013)
The Apps4VA Open Competition is open to the general public and challenges applicants to build an app using at least one dataset from the required data catalog. As in the Apps4VA High School Competition, entries may be submitted by individuals or teams, apps may be for any platform and mashups are eligible. Participants may submit as many apps as they would like.

For more information and submission details go to: www.apps4va.org.

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2012 Milestones and 2013 Workplan

The Region 2000 Technology Council had a very successful year, working towards our vision that Virginia’s Region 2000 will be recognized as a place where technology-focused organizations thrive, STEM educational programs flourish, and where innovation and technology-based entrepreneurship are championed.

Our 2012 Milestones Include:

• Held our 11th annual awards celebration and launched a new format for our annual B2B meeting. Our largest ever, TechEDGE 2012 was a great success with four separate sessions, 16 speakers, with exhibitors and attendees totaling more than 250 people.

• Held numerous networking and knowledge events such as Wired Wednesday, Tech@Breakfast, CIO Roundtables, B2B Roundtables, IT Director’s Roundtables, Specialty Seminars, and Open Networking Events.

• Worked with partner organizations such as Virginia’s CIT to expand programs and services of benefit to the region’s technology sector.

• Participated in several high profile events around the Commonwealth that brought visibility and awareness to the region’s growing technology community such as the Governor’s Workforce Conference.

• Worked closely with Region 2000 Partners to further the region’s Technology Based Economic Development growth plan and to launch discussions on the strategic future of the Region 2000 Partnership.

• Consulted with numerous high growth technology companies in the region, offering connections to networks, capital access, and marketing assistance.

• Expanded STEM educational and workforce programs through our educational foundation, the Future Focus Foundation with program growth across the board in programs such as Jr. FIRST LEGO League, FIRST LEGO League, and VEX Robotics.

• Supported numerous other STEM programs in the region such as Summer Academies, Technology Fair, and Science Fest.

• Worked in conjunction with the Region 2000 WIB to promote and expand their R2 Program, offering new programs to the community’s at-risk youth.

• Successfully worked with the area’s pubic schools and business stakeholders to bring about the creation of a regional Governor’s STEM Academy for area high school juniors and seniors. The STEM Academy will open in the fall of 2013 for college and career bound youth seeking employment in the fields of engineering, mechatronics, and biomedical health science.

Our 2013 Work Program Includes:

Mission

To foster an environment that stimulates innovation and growth of technology-focused organizations in Virginia’s Region 2000.

Focus Areas

• Promote the development, growth, and recognition of the region’s technology-focused organizations.
• Provide a forum in which technology-focused organizations can exchange ideas and information, and capitalize on business opportunities.
• Deliver programs and services that promote the recognition of and provide substantial value to the Council’s members.
• Participate in activities to drive visibility and awareness of the Region 2000 Technology Council, its members, and the region to other regions within the state.
• Serve as an advocate for the Region on a broad range of technology issues at the local and state level.
• Provide assistance to local economic developers in the recruitment of new technology companies and the development of programs that enhance services to existing companies.
• Create an environment and sustainable programs in the region’s K-12 schools that enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Math career choices.
• Facilitate the growth of services within the region that support technology-focused entrepreneurship and create an environment that champions entrepreneurial success.

Events

• TechEDGE 2013 (May)
• Wired Wednesday (3)
• Tech@Breakfast (2)
• LinkedIn Live BBQ (August)
• Lunch & Learn – Topical (2)
• Open Networking Events (2)
• CIO Roundtables (2)
• Founders Readiness Express Workshop (February)
• Christmas Luncheon and Annual Meeting (December)

Major Initiatives

• XLR8 Lynchburg Regional Governor’s STEM Academy – continue process of standing up this academy, to include: general fund raising, building relationships between business and industry and the region’s schools, curriculum and training program development, marketing and communications, outfitting labs and equipment acquisition, developing board members and other strategic partners, positioning the academy for self-sufficiency.

• Region 2000 Partnership – continue process of strategic planning and discussions that will ultimately lead to what the Partnership will become, that allows for win-win partnerships and financial sustainability, such that it benefits both the public and private stakeholders in Region 2000.

• General Fundraising – increase membership and corporate sponsorships in the Technology Council to a level that supports the budget needs for FY2013 and positions the organization for healthy growth in future years.

• Continue the growth of the Future Focus Foundation and all STEM Programs. Please see www.futurefocusfoundation.us for details.

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