Geolocation Privacy YPG Event Provides Valuable Discussion and Networking
Jan. 18, 2012

photos from the event

Would you give out your social security number to a total stranger or divulge your laptop’s password? After an introduction by USGIF YPG member Mike Campanelli, Kevin Pomfret, the evening’s guest speaker, asked this question of young professionals at January’s YPG networking event. Although everyone said no, his question raised a good point for discussion. Whether we’re aware of this or not, our location divulges much more information about ourselves then we think. According to Pomfret, an Attorney at Law forLeClairRyan specializing in geo-location privacy, it has become such an immense issue that Congress is currently considering 10 bills on this topic.

Pomfret’s focus for the evening was to bring awareness to the biggest challenges addressed with geo-location privacy and how young professionals can help. The greatest geo-location challenge the government struggles with is the fine line between using geo-location information to save lives in a natural disaster and using the same information in way that is unintended or potentially harmful. Other challenges include a growing amount of lawsuits regarding violation of privacy using location. The government’s familiarity with geo-location technologies was the last challenge he touched on. Lawmakers are still unfamiliar with the various technologies and how these innovations can impact geolocation privacy. Pomfret left young professionals with the task of broadening public awareness on geolocation technologies, how to use them, and the impact these technologies can make on our lives.

Following his discussion, Pomfret encouraged young professionals to read USGIF Board Member Jeff Jonas’ blog for more in-depth articles behind the science of geolocation privacy.

Afterward, Pomfret answered a plethora of questions from young professionals from how employers can use this information to track employees to the potential policy changes these challenges could bring. The next YPG networking event is a learning luncheon on Feb. 15 at the Hyatt Dulles. Details on this event will be posted to the YPG homepage at a later date. Please check back often for updates on this.

The USGIF YPG would like to give special thanks to YPG member Julie Baer. This month’s networking event was her brainchild and could not have happened without her support. Members of the YPG create concepts and assist in developing the agendas of monthly YPG events like these. If you have an idea for a networking event or would like to be added to our listserv email us at ypg@usgif.org.

YPG Holiday Celebration
Dec. 14, 2011
Arlington, VA

photos from the event

Roughly 30 young professionals from across the defense, intelligence and homeland security communities came together at American Tap Room in Arlington, VA for the YPG’s first holiday celebration. Young professionals from organizations such as MDA, Booz Allen Hamilton, ManTech, SAIC, CACI, Mitre, NetApp NT Concepts, Accenture, Lockheed Martin, Woolpert, U.S. Joint Force Headquarters and several students were in attendance for the last YPG networking event of 2011. The purpose of the event was to not only bring young professionals together one last time before the new year, but to also collect donations for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. Those who attended were asked to bring a toy to this networking event for a great cause. Although the holiday celebration has passed, the YPG is still accepting donations of new, unused toys until Monday, Dec. 19. If you’d like to help the YPG in their efforts, please bring your toy to USGIF headquarters located at 2325 Dulles Corner Blvd., Ste. 450, Herndon, VA 20171.

November 16 Networking Event with the Honorable Jeffrey K. Harris
Nov. 16, 2011
Reston, VA

The November 16 YPG Networking Event gave young professionals in attendance a rare opportunity to network with and hear advice from community leader, the Honorable Jeffrey K. Harris.

Roughly 30 young professionals from USGIF member organizations SAIC, GeoEye, MDA, OG Systems, The SI, RadiantBlue, Booz Allen Hamilton, Astrium Geo, NGA and ManTech were present for the event.

Harris began his address by sharing stories from his personal experience within the defense, intelligence and homeland security communities. Harris went on to highlight projects he had been involved in and challenges policy can create within the community. He later gave the audience advice on how to stand out among their peers by welcoming more challenging projects, grabbing the attention of senior leadership. He used this to lead into his next piece of advice, providing insight on how to endure workplace challenges during a difficult economic climate. Here he noted that paying attention to your surroundings even when it’s not expected of you gives you an advantage over your peers. Following his speech, young professionals were given a chance to put their questions to Harris, which focused on noteworthy projects he influenced. Many young professionals also had the opportunity to network with Harris.

Harris has contributed to U.S. national security in both government and industry for 35 years an aerospace, defense and intelligence community consultant. He is retired from Lockheed Martin, where he was a corporate officer and served as president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space and president of Lockheed Martin Special Programs. Before entering the private sector, Harris served with distinction in senior national leadership positions, including assistant secretary of the Air Force for Space; director, National Reconnaissance Office and associate executive director of the Intelligence Community Management Staff. In all of these capacities, he provided direct support to both the Secretary of Defense and the Director of Central Intelligence.

In addition to the networking opportunities this event brought, the YPG used this monthly gathering as an opportunity to give back to the community by donating non-perishable food for the Capital Food Bank.

YPG Rustico Networking Event
Oct. 5
Alexandria, VA

Over 20 Young Professionals from across the defense, intelligence and homeland security communities came together at Rustico in Alexandria for a casual evening of networking and making new connections. Young Professionals from Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC, ManTech, DRS, Trailblazer International, USDI, ZRA, Deloitte and the State Department were in attendance. The event, spearhead by former NRO Deputy Director of Mission Support and current Senior Vice President & ISR Chief Systems Architect, SAIC, Robert Zitz, served as an outlet for Young Professionals both familiar and new to the YPG, as well as Community leaders to come together and make connections they may not have made elsewhere. The next YPG networking event in the Washington D.C. Area will take place on Nov. 16 at McCormick & Schmick’s in Reston, VA. For more information, please check our website often as updates become available or contact ypg@usgif.org.

YPG NGA Mixer
September 21, 2011
NGA Campus East

Young Professionals from the defense, intelligence and homeland security communities met on Sept. 21 for the first USGIF Young Professionals (YPG) event at the new NGA East Campus. Roughly 30 Young Professionals from NGA and USGIF Member companies SAIC, RadiantBlue Technologies, GeoEye, CACI, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton and Invertix. The purpose of this event was to not only get Young Professionals to network and make new contacts at NGA, but to also give some of them their first glimpse at the new campus in Springfield, Va. The next YPG networking event is scheduled for Oct. 5 at Rustico in Alexandria, Va. For more information or to RSVP, please contact ypg@usgiforg.

YPG Speed Networking Event
July 20, 2011

photos from the event

On July 20, over 30 Defense, Intelligence and Homeland Security Young Professionals attended the USGIF Young Professionals Group (YPG) speed networking event.

Young Professionals were given the opportunity to meet and converse with their peers as well as USGIF Board Members to build upon existing relationships or make new ones more effectively than traditional networking events. Young Professionals were randomly divided at 8 tables and given 5 minutes to make connections at each table before they rotated to the next. Discussions ranged from what are their biggest daily challenges to what advice they would offer college students interested in the industry.

The Young Professionals in attendance were also treated to a rare opportunity to meet and converse with GEOINT Community leaders when the following USGIF Board of Directors dropped in to say hello: K. Stuart Shea, CEO & Chairman of the Board, USGIF and President, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, SAIC; Keith J. Masback, President, USGIF; Aimee McGranahan, Vice President of Operations, USGIF; Paul L. Graziani, CEO and Co-Founder, Analytical Graphics Inc.; Jeff Jonas, Chief Scientist, IBM Entity Analytics, IBM Distinguished Engineer, IBM Software Group; Alexander F. Martinez, Staff Engineer, Lockheed Martin; Stephen S. Oswald, Vice President and General Manager, Intelligence and Security Systems, The Boeing Co.; Herbert F. Satterlee III, CEO, MDA Information Systems Inc.; and Christopher K. Tucker, Principal, Yale House Ventures.

In addition to the ample networking opportunities, those who attended were automatically entered to win a complimentary registration to the GEOINT Symposium. A special congratulations goes out to RadiantBlue’s Mike Campanelli who was the lucky recipient of the drawing.

What’s in an App?
March 3, 2011

photos from the event

On March 3, more than 30 Young Professionals from the GEOINT Community attended the USGIF Young Professionals Group (YPG) first event of the year, “What’s in an App?.”

The event, which took place in McLean, Va., was created as an open forum for GEOINT Young Professionals to discuss challenges and solutions for delivering the power of GEOINT to the end-user. A panel of four moderated by USGIF Young Professional Board Member Alexander Martinez, Staff Engineer, Lockheed Martin. Panelists included Robert Shelton & David Brown of Microsoft Federal Systems Integrators; Ahmad Ishaq, Senior Technical Director and Web 2.0 SME, ManTech; and NGA’s Implementation Lead for Online On-Demand Services, Keith Barber.

The discussion ranged from the definition of what an app is, who or what are the end-users within the Intelligence Community (IC), the promises and challenges of apps, and the delivery models panelists envisioned IC members having better capabilities of developing and offering apps. Panelists also touched on current and future trends within the app world and encouraged participants to share or demo app concepts.

The session concluded with a Q&A sessions from the audience. Attendees were eager to not only ask questions of panelists, but also share their experiences with apps. Afterward, panelists and attendees had an exclusive opportunity to network with each other.

Learn more about the panelists:

• Ahmad Ishaq, Senior Technical Director and Web 2.0 SME, ManTech International
• Keith Barber, Implementation Lead for Online On-Demand Services, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
• Robert Shelton, Chief Engineer, Microsoft Federal Systems Integrators
• David Brown, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Federal Systems Integrators

Find out when the next YPG event takes place!

Return to the YPG homepage