FAIRFAX, Va., July 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AFCEA International announced today that it has executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Coast Guard which provides a framework for technical interchange between the two organizations. The Coast Guard, and more specifically the C4I Service Center, will leverage AFCEA resources for providing market research, identifying technology trends, and raising awareness of ongoing initiatives.
As part of the agreement Mr. Mark Powell, Director, Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Information Technology (C4IT) Service Center, U.S. Coast Guard, has been elected as a liaison member of the AFCEA Technology Committee. Mr. Powell joins approximately sixty public and private/non-profit sector information technology (IT) professionals who oversee AFCEA International's outreach to the IT communities.
Mr. Powell has served as Director, Coast Guard C4IT Service Center since 2008. He leads this geographically dispersed organization to provide operational support for all C4IT equipment on Coast Guard ships, boats, aircraft, and shore installations. He is accountable for all C4IT hardware and software design, development, deployment, maintenance, and retirement activities as well as network management and cyber operations.
Prior to joining the C4IT Service Center, Mr. Powell served as the Director, Information Technology Research Development / Chief Technology Officer for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He was responsible for FAA information technology related research and development activities, information security research and development, enterprise architecture, information and data architecture, IT standards, interagency information sharing, web operations, and process improvement. Before joining the FAA, he served as the Chief Technology Officer for the Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems Directorate (J6) of the Joint Staff.
In addition to his years of federal government service, Mr. Powell worked for a number of years in private industry where he tested submarine reactor systems, designed industrial test systems, and contributed to the design and development of NASA network communication systems supporting satellite and space shuttle missions.
"AFCEA International is excited to partner with the U.S. Coast Guard and work with industry to collaboratively address problems and share best practices," stated Kent Schneider, President and CEO, AFCEA International. "Mark is the perfect fit for our technology committee based on his capabilities and thought leadership. The insight he will provide into the Coast Guard's and Department of Homeland Security's IT strategic vision will not only benefit Technology Committee members but the entire government IT community as well."
The purpose of the AFCEA Technology Committee is to enhance AFCEA's outreach to the IT communities; cultivate partnerships among government, industry, academic, and scientific leaders; and focus on finding solutions for the IT and related management problems facing government, military, industry, and non-profit sector leaders worldwide. It is tasked with specific objectives, including: facilitating networking, outreach and collaboration opportunities; promoting discussion forums and seminars in support of government agency/industry/scientific technology solutions and their adaptation; and recommending and/or providing IT and related information management solutions and approaches that benefit and integrate with all AFCEA components. For more information visit www.afcea.org/committees/technology.
AFCEA International, established in 1946, is a non-profit membership association serving the military, government, industry, and academia as an ethical forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, IT, intelligence, and global security. For more information visit www.afcea.org.
SOURCE AFCEA International
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