FredTech Wire - Newsletter - Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce

FredTech News

11/10/2009

VTA Board,

Per the approval of the board from last week’s meeting I have arranged our sponsorship with FIRST Lego and FIRST Robotics.

FIRST Lego $1000 – we will be listed as a sponsor of the state tournament on Dec. 5/6 at JMU. Some of the marketing material for this event has already been created so what we missed out on will be made up with signage at the event and our logo on their website. Most importantly, on behalf of the VTA I will present the winning team a check for $1000 which covers their registration costs for the World Tournament held in May. The presentation of the check will be done in front of the entire crowd. I will ask the winning team to include the VTA logo on their shirts and other promotional materials. This will provide the VTA some great exposure and we should all feel proud that we are supporting our state team as they represent the Commonwealth in International competition. I will produce a press release that each council can modify and use in their respective region.

FIRST Robotics $1000 – to my surprise, we were already credited with being the sponsor of the event held at the State Fair. In addition, we will be listed as a sponsor of the State Tournament to be held March 19/20 at VCU. At this level of sponsorship, our name is listed but not our logo. We will also be listed on their website and other materials as applicable. I will produce a press release that each council can modify and use in their respective region.

Thanks for supporting these worthwhile STEM activities!

FredTech Wire - Newsletter

FRED-Tech Wire – January 2009

Sponsored By: Infinity Technologies

ATTENTION Fredericksburg Regional Businesses

The FredTech Wire Needs Your Input. The FredTech Wire is designed to promote area business regarding their use of technology. This is a very attractive means of communicating to the area about your business and how you utilize technology. Input is requested all year long. For more information, please contact the Fredericksburg Chamber at 540-373-9400.

Events

CIO Luncheon Series

In an effort to expand FredTech, last September we began a program for CIO's (Chief Information Officers), Director’s of Information Technology or IT Managers. The concept of the program is to provide a forum where CIO’s can openly discuss issues of common interest. The goal is to provide them with the opportunity to discuss management or technical issues, hear from their peers on best practices, and learn about new initiatives in the Fredericksburg area. The topics can range from discussions of the newest management tool, employee-training issues, hiring the best, etc. The meetings allow plenty of time for the CIO’s to network with their peers. The luncheons are hosted quarterly by FredTech’s Past Chairman.

FredTech has hosted two successful luncheons so far with IT executives from around the region. With that said, do you know any CIO types who should be invited to our lunch meeting? The type of individual we are looking for is one who makes hiring decisions, determines the direction of their IT department and is responsible for staff development. If you meet these qualifications or know someone who does and lives in the Fredericksburg region, please provide the Chamber with their name, company & contact information. The Chamber may be reached at 540-373-9400 or email info@fredtech.us.

* 2009 Fredericksburg Regional Technology Council Awards – NOMINEES NEEDED!

The mission of FredTech is to be the voice of the technology community, to create a vibrant technology marketplace and to facilitate opportunities for regional technology businesses.

The Leadership Award recognizes individual leadership or an organization (including government agencies or military divisions) that serves as a catalyst for positive technology-related initiatives in our region.

The Technology Award recognizes local businesses, government agencies or military divisions for their efforts in enhancing regional technology or has made a significant impact on the growth of technology in our region.

Nominations for the Fredericksburg Regional Technology Council Awards are now being accepted. Nomination Forms can be requested from Mary Garber at the Chamber. Forms must be received no later than April 6, 2009.

Any Chamber or FredTech member may nominate any eligible business or agency, including his or her own organization.

* FredTech Job Shadow Day

Ground Hog’s Day (February 2) will mark FredTech’s first Job Shadow Day. In partnership with the Spotsylvania Career and Technical Center, the FredTech membership has helped find hosts for fifteen students to shadow a local technology professional for the day. This will be an opportunity for high school students to learn about the day to day operations of a local business as well as an opportunity for potential employers to see a sample of some of our best and brightest students. The students participating are predominantly 11^th or 12^th grade students who are enrolled in Computer and Networking Technology classes at Spotsylvania Career & Technical Center. We are trying to place students with employers whose business model most closely aligns with the students’ career interest. Please contact Eric Watkins (ewatkins@it-va.com) if you might have an interest in hosting students in the future or for additional information.

* Volunteers Needed

FredTech is looking for area IT professionals that would be willing to volunteer to speak to high school students about their field of work and related work experiences. Additionally, we have a special need for female professionals that could give a testimonial to the Stafford chapter of IGNITE (Inspiring Girls Now in Technology Evolution). Please contact Eric Watkins (ewatkins@it-va.com) for more information.

* FredTech Board Meeting to Kickoff 2009

The Fredericksburg Technology Council kicked off 2009 with their first Board of Directors’ meeting on January 12, 2009. The meeting started off with the induction of new Chairman,

Eric Watkins, Manager of Operations for Infinity Technologies. Brian Scott, Directory of IT for Spotsylvania County, served as Chairman in 2008. There are many new faces on the Board which will definitely enhance FredTech’s posture in the area. Mr. Watkins will focus on developing programs and initiatives along with supporting existing programs for K-12 students. Examples of a few of these programs/initiatives are; Job Shadowing, Internships, Scholarships and Awards, IGNITE and STEM Programs.

2009 Board of Directors: Eric Watkins of Infinity Technologies, Brian Scott of Spotsylvania County Government, Gail Brooks of the University of Mary Washington, Dennis Buchanan of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Hap Connors of Center for Innovative Technology (CIT), Steve Cooley an IT Consultant, June Drake of NSWC, Dahlgren, Eddie Graves of DBX Imaging Corp, Tim McLeod of Spotsylvania Career & Technical Center, Brian Moon of Perigean Technologies, Dawn Murphy of NSWC, Dahlgren, Bob Pleban of RPI Group Inc, and Matt Wilson of SimVentions, Inc.

Commercial

* DBX Imaging Corp dusts off Old Unix Server

DBX Imaging of Fredericksburg VA initialized one of its older Unix Servers to help process files for its project with the Department of Health and Human Services in Rockville Md. The Unix Server is a HP-D Class mid range server built in 1999. You never know when you can use older technology to help with new projects said Eddie Graves – VP of DBX Imaging.

* Windows 2007

Windows 2007 is now in Beta Testing.

* Antiviral “scareware” Just One More Intruder.

How much money can criminals make scaring naïve computer users? Read More

Advertising: If you are interested in advertising in our newsletters, contact the Chamber at 540-373-9400

Questions or comments? News tips, press releases. Send email to: info@fredtech.us

The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce

Technology Council-FredTech