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Last updated on Tuesday, August 28, 2018
(BLOOMINGTON) - The first Indiana chapter of a national defense innovation organization will launch with an event featuring Hoosier technology talent next week. Defense Entrepreneurs Forum (DEF), Bloomington will host three industry leaders in a panel discussion at Switchyard Brewery in Bloomington 6:00 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 30).
Dr. Alison Smith, a chief engineer at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, will be a panelist. Smith was recently recognized for developing anti-counterfeit technology in microelectronics. Microelectronics is rapidly growing in both government and private industry.
"Globally, trade of counterfeit goods is the second largest source of organized crime income and is surpassed only by the illicit drug trade," says Smith. "The Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (BASCAP) predicts the global economic impact to be upwards of $USD 1.7 trillion annually."
Smith says naval developments in technology can positively affect industry in the private sector.
"Counterfeit goods are pervasive across an array of markets, including apparel, currency, fuels, automotive components, pharmaceuticals, and microelectronics. In addition to the economic fallout that includes brand protection concerns, counterfeit goods in the latter two categories can have severe adverse secondary effects. For example, counterfeit pharmaceuticals pose public health risks and have been coined 'murder by medicine'. Collectively, these adverse economic, device reliability, and health effects of counterfeit goods create a great demand for anti-counterfeit labels."
Gregory Sapp, the chief operating officer and vice president for Artisan Electronics, will be a panelist. Sapp says that DEF Bloomington will be an asset to the state and provide opportunities for innovators and defense experts.
"DEF Bloomington provides an opportunity for the DoD community to get together in order to think about things a little bit differently," says Sapp. "If we were able to bring innovative ideas to the local DoD community through DEF Bloomington, we'll be able to strengthen our national security. National security is something that is critical for all of us."
The final featured panelist is Janet Stiller, the CEO of LUCIDIA iT. LUCIDIA iT is an Indianapolis-based firm that provides engineering expertise to IT solutions focused around three primary focus areas. These areas include Data Center Solutions, Enterprise Networking, and Cloud Technologies.
The Defense Entrepreneurs Forum (DEF) is a not-for-profit network of emerging defense leaders, civilian innovators, and social entrepreneurs who promote a culture of innovation and act upon transformational ideas that address national security challenges. The mission of DEF is to inspire, connect and empower, and involves not only monthly gatherings around the world, but periodic DEFx events, an annual conference, and ongoing collaboration online.
Military members, those who work in government, entrepreneurs focused or curious about national security, or find the idea of helping solve tough problems enticing, then DEF's monthly Drink & Think events are invited to attend. Those interested in learning more can contact bloomington@defenseentrepreneurs.org. To RSVP, use this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/def-bloomington-drink-think-tickets-48361572766
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