Feds to Detail Tremendous Business Opportunities for Technology, Automotive, Defense, Others

Speakers include U.S. Homeland Security Under Secretary, Center for Automotive Research, OnStar, General Dynamics and More

ROYAL OAK, Mich., June 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Security Network (MiSN) today announced four additional keynote speakers to the MiSN - Northern Border Security Conference, July 27-28, Hyatt Regency Dearborn:

• Brad Buswell, Deputy Under Secretary, Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS);
• David Cole, Chairman, Center for Automotive Research;
• Neal Belitsky, CEO & General Manager, Detroit Windsor Tunnel LLC;
• Elissa (Lisa) Sobolewski, Director, Small Business Innovation Research Program, S&T, DHS

These individuals are part of a high-level group of key national industry and government decision-makers attending the Michigan Security Network - Northern Border Security Conference.

Unlike most conferences, which are typically information gathering/networking, this conference is intensely operational, i.e.: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&P) is seeking individuals and companies who primarily service the automotive, defense, technology, transportation and security industries to attend and showcase their products and offer solutions to a wide variety of national security "technology gaps" -- specific technology problems currently vexing the homeland security market.

"Meeting with industry leaders and technology providers to share information and ideas is an important step in providing the best solutions to border security challenges," said Mark Borkowski, executive director, DHS Customs and Border Protection Secure Border Initiative. "I look forward to participating in the Michigan Security Network's Border Security Conference."

Companies wishing to view and respond to these very specific technology gaps, or challenges, can find them in the DHS-S&T "High Priority Technology Needs" document at: www.MichiganSecurityNetwork.com.  

"Attending the MiSN - Northern Border Security Conference will provide a tremendous opportunity for businesses to highlight dual use, multi-functional technology that can provide important solutions to specific technology challenges for the homeland security market," said MiSN founder and CEO, Leslie Touma. "Entrepreneurs, manufacturers, businesses, high-tech providers and university researchers should plan to attend and showcase their products and creativity."

First responders, law enforcement, border patrol and government are also expected as conference participants. Previously confirmed speakers include:

• Mark S. Borkowski – Executive Director, Secure Border Initiative U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
• Thomas A. Cellucci, Ph.d., MBA – Chief Commercialization Officer, Science & Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
• Woody A. Lee – Director, Operational Integration U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
• Rudy Maldonado – Supervisory Air Interdiction Agent, DHS CBP Office of Air and Marine, Senior OAM Liaison Officer to the Secure Border Initiative Program Office;
• Michael C. McDaniel – Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Homeland Defense;
• Michael A. Stone – Brigadier General, Director of the Joint Staff, Michigan Army National Guard;
• Paul Skalny – Director, National Automotive Center, U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC);
• Lt. Kyle Bowman – Governor's Homeland Security Advisor, Michigan State Police;
• Mark Magee – Vice President, Homeland Security Strategic Initiatives, General Dynamics – Advanced Information Systems.

For more information and online conference registration, visit: www.MichiganSecurityNetwork.com/conferences; or contact MiSN Conference Manager Leslie Smith at: 248 353-0735; or [email protected].

SOURCE Michigan Security Network