NDIA, Gulf Coast Chapter
Newsletter - March 9, 2006 |
Our guest speaker partnership with the Association of Old Crows, the Air Force Association, and the International Test and Evaluation Association was a great success. Over 120 people attended to network, socialize, and hear the latest information from the world of weapons acquisition from yours truly. The briefing provided insight into the findings of the Defense Acquisition Performance Assessment (DAPA), the Acquisition Transformation Action Council (ATAC), and acquisition focus areas at the Air Armament Center. If you were unable to attend but would like more information on what was presented, please contact my executive officer, Gregg Costabile, at 882-0662.
The Association of Old Crows will host the next speakers event on March 22nd in the Sandollar Room at the Eglin AFB Officer's Club, and will feature the Superintendent of Okaloosa Schools, Mr. Don Gaetz. Mr. Gaetz will discuss Science and Engineering Instruction in Okaloosa and the impact of BRAC on the School System. This event is a luncheon; you go through the lunch line at 1100 (brown bag is okay), and Mr. Gaetz will begin his talk at 1130. The Air Force Association will host the guest speaker program in June, and we expect to hear from our Commander and Program Executive Officer for Weapon, MGen Jeff Riemer.
As many of you know, we partner with the local community and the Air Armament Center to present the annual Air Armament Symposium. We have already begun detailed planning for this year's event. Congratulations to Bob "Buffalo" Marinan from the Boeing Corporation for being selected as this year's Industry Chairperson, and Dr. John Corley for his selection as the Government Chair. Buffalo and John will have the symposium's theme finalized soon, but you can expect our standard billing of excellent speakers, and updates on the initiatives from the past couple of years. So mark your calendars for this year's event on 3-4 October at the Emerald Coast Conference Center and let's set yet another attendance record!
The 29th Annual Robert Shefield East Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair was conducted on February 1st. Three of your Gulf Coast NDIA volunteers scored 55 projects in the Junior Division and 33 projects in the Senior Division. The competition was close, but in the end the Senior Division winner was Patrick Carlton with his "Chaos in Secure Communication" project. Taylor Oldaker won the Junior Division with his project, "Lord of the Wings: Revenge of the Stall." Patrick picked up the $100 award for his win in the Senior Division and Taylor brought home the Junior Division prize of $50. Congratulations to these champions!
The scholarship program I mentioned in the last newsletter continues to grow. We recently provided an additional $70,000 to the University of West Florida (UWF) that increases our total endowment to $100,000. This level of contribution allows UWF to apply for an additional $50,000 through the Florida Matching Gift Fund. Once matched, this endowment will provide six full year scholarships in perpetuity!
Thank you for all you do to defend our great country.
V/R,
Judy A. Stokley, President
Gulf Coast Chapter of the NDIA |
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