North Carolina Technology Companies Show Their Capabilities to Defense, Security and Intelligence Agencies at NCTA Event; U.S. Rep. Etheridge Addresses Attendees.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) brought together top officials from the military, FBI, homeland security, and intelligence community to witness and discuss the capabilities of North Carolina technology companies at the Defense and Security Partnership Conference last week.

The conference was an invitation-only event by NCTA and was held on Friday, February 10 at Cisco Systems in RTP. The purpose of the NCTA event was to enlist more North Carolina companies in the nation's defense and security efforts. Sponsors for the event were Cherry Bekaert & Holland, Concurrent Technologies Corporation and Maupin Taylor P.A.

While North Carolina enjoys a strong military presence, it ranks low in Federal defense and security spending for R&D, manufacturing, and other expenditures despite a cadre of technology companies in the State that have solutions well suited to defense and security needs.

"NCTA organized the event to showcase the capabilities of our member companies," said Joan Myers, NCTA president and CEO. "North Carolina is home to over 2,300 technology companies, many of which offer groundbreaking solutions that are essential to improving our nation's defense and security needs. We are aggressively showcasing these NCTA member companies to decision-makers in all levels of the Federal government," she added.

The NCTA member companies, all with headquarters or significant operations in North Carolina, presented to representatives of the Army, Air Force, Marines, FBI, Homeland Security, Joint Special Operations Command, and Secret Service. Presenting companies included: Research Triangle Software, CipherOptics, Oak Grove Technologies, IntePoint, Engineous Software, Stonewall Networks, Netdirectsystems, Virtual Heroes, 3Dsolve, VisionAir, Concurrent Technologies, Saffron Technology, Blue Shoe Technologies, Cyberlux, The Whitlock Group, Sierra Nevada, Integrian, and Ballistic Protection Technologies.

Presenting companies and the defense panelists were welcomed by U.S. Representative Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) who said:" "The member companies represented by NCTA employ some of the world's brightest minds engaged in work on the cutting edge of science and technology. Their capabilities are increasingly valuable to national defense and homeland security. As North Carolina's only member of the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee, I am pleased be here to showcase our state's ability to fill vital roles in these critical fields."

While broadly representing the interests of NC technology companies, NCTA is especially active in promoting the growth of defense and security initiatives for its member companies. In addition to the annual Defense and Security Partnership Conference, NCTA has a standing Defense and Security Committee, and the organization has led in the development of the soon to be launched North Carolina Innovation Center (NCIC) in Fayetteville, which will provide opportunities for North Carolina technology companies to develop solutions for the defense and security industries. The NCIC is only the first platform of a statewide plan for developing a defense and security competency in North Carolina.

About The North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA)

NCTA is a not-for-profit membership-driven trade organization and the primary voice of the information technologies industry in North Carolina. NCTA is the intersection of leadership and technology, fueling the growth of North Carolina through Executive Engagement, Public Affairs, and a Knowledge Workforce. For more information, visit www.nc-tech.org.