Marshall Center, AMCOM, Space and Missile Defense Command collaborate on technology conference

Three federal agencies will join forces with industry and academia for a two-day conference next month to foster teamwork and collaboration to meet a critical need: drawing and retaining young engineers and scientists to the Huntsville area.

The first Education and Employment for Technological Excellence in Aviation, Missiles, and Space (E2-TEAMS, pronounced "E-squared-TEAMS") conference will be May 15 and 16 at the Von Braun Center.

A key goal of the E2-TEAMS concept is to encourage research colleges and universities from a four-state area -- Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia � to partner with industry and government to build a "high-tech corridor" in the region.

Supporting the event are NASA�s Marshall Space Flight Center, the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM), the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce, Huntsville Association of Technical Societies and the National Space Science and Technology Center.

"I�m firmly behind E2-TEAMS because it�s a unique opportunity to join with our regional partners in industry and academia to address a critical challenge � attracting and keeping the best talent available," said Marshall Center Director Art Stephenson.

Besides highlighting Huntsville�s technological excellence, the event will address future research and technology needs. It also will promote educational opportunities and workforce development initiatives for engineers, scientists and students.

"This event is an excellent opportunity for Team Redstone to work with our business and academic partners to build an unparalleled technological base right here in the Tennessee Valley," said Maj. Gen. Julian Sullivan Jr., AMCOM commanding general.

Bill Gurley, senior vice president with Science Applications International Corp. and chairman of the event, said that, "The technology fair will emphasize efforts to showcase the Huntsville area and attract young high-tech workers and graduates."

Brig. Gen. John M. Urias, deputy commanding general for acquisition at the Space and Missile Defense Command, noted that "E2-TEAMS is an excellent forum for fostering collaboration between educational institutions, government and industry."

To encourage participation by colleges and universities, Marshall, AMCOM and the Space and Missile Defense Command will jointly offer up to $1 million in grant money. This money will be awarded competitively to participating research colleges in the targeted four-state area prior to next year�s conference.

Government agencies supporting the event will focus on future technological needs through panel discussions in four cutting-edge areas � Advanced Propulsion and Hypersonic Systems, Robotics, Novel Power Sources, and Broad Spectrum Vision Sensors. Numerous companies and universities will participate with displays and exhibits. Human resource personnel will be on hand to discuss employment and career opportunities.

The North Alabama Aerospace Teachers Association will host a discussion of space and science projects, including the "Astro Bowl" competition for middle and high school students. Projects to enhance science and technology education for K-12 students also will be discussed by the Education Directorate of the Huntsville Association of Technical Societies.

Exhibits open each day of the conference at 9 a.m.

More information on E2-TEAMS, including exhibitor and event registration, can be found on the Internet at: http://www.tabes.org/