Montgomery Partners with Air Force to Create Tech Solutions of Tomorrow

InnovateAFITC engages Montgomery community to solve tech obstacles at largest Air Force tech conference
 
Montgomery, Ala. – August 30, 2018 –  As Montgomery, Alabama hosted the largest technology conference in the US Air Force this week, some of the city’s best tech talent joined the brightest  minds in the Air Force to compete in the 2018 InnovateAFITC Cyber Challenge. The co-sponsored Air Force event was held in conjunction with the 2018 Air Force Information Technology & Cyberpower Conference (AFITC) and challenged participants to create innovative solutions to significant cyber obstacles and threats as part of Montgomery’s ongoing effort to grow and leverage the city’s technology-related assets.
 
Diverse, multi-skilled teams from the Air Force and region were invited to compete in InnovateAFITC. From robust local tech talent employed by Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base and local defense contractors to area students and participants in the Air Force’s National Youth Cyber Education Program, CyberPatriots, this event brings technology experts of all skill levels together. Events included pitching mobile applications to the Air Force, local government and key stakeholders, network communications challenges and website attack challenges.    
 
Designed to model collaborative problem solving that will take place at the soon-to-open MGMWERX innovation hub, InnovateAFITC was hosted in the same space as where the MGMWERX offices are temporarily housed. Later this fall, MGMWERX will move offices to 41 Commerce Street in a space donated as part of a community partnership with the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.
 
The team of judges included Major General Kimberly Crider, Chief Data Officer; Major General Pat Higby, Cyberspace Career Field Manager for the Air Force and John Hulsey, Chief Technical Officer at Gunter Annex as well as a group of local representatives.
 
Winners of the InnovateAFITC Cyber Challenge were presented at AFITC in the Renaissance Hotel August 29. This year’s overall winner was the “BEST Team,” made up of students from MPACT/Carver High School and Business Enterprise Systems employees from Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex.
 
The team included from the Program Executive Office at Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex: SSgt Tu Ortiz, Asset Management Supervisor, SSgt Samuel Hancock, Cyber Support Supervisor, SrA Trenton Hassebrock, Computer Programmer and A1C Jamal Hudson, Cyber Services Technician as well as students from Carver High School attending Montgomery Preparatory Academy for Career Technologies (MPACT): Chinira Palmer, Dai'Shun Johnson, and Gil Robinson.
 
InnovateAFITC and MGMWERX are both part of a larger ongoing initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, called TechMGM, where local industry, educational and government entities work together to leverage Montgomery’s growing technology-related assets. The goal of TechMGM is to maximize the community’s diverse technology talent pipeline, promote the city as an emerging and innovative technology hub, and enhance the workforce as well as grow the regional economy.
 
For more information on InnovateAFITC visit www.innovateAFITC.com. For more information on the TechMGM initiative visit www.techmgm.com. For more information on the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce visit www.montgomerychamber.com. For more information on MGMWERX visit www.mgmwerx.org.
 
ABOUT MONTGOMERY
Montgomery, Alabama USA fosters a business-friendly environment and understands that a healthy mix of large and small businesses constitutes the lifeblood of the city and region. A long history of trusted public-private partnership between the city, county, state and local business leadership creates an inviting business ecosystem. Montgomery is built on a dynamic history rooted in revolution as the center of both the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. On the forefront of cutting-edge development, Montgomery is attracting new businesses with its open internet exchange and opportunities for business growth, and new residents are coming for the city's work culture, transportation options and quality of life, including a revitalization of unique spaces in historic downtown with new attractions and diverse entertainment options. For more information, visit www.choosemontgomery.com.
 
###