GSA Technology Council

Meet the cover! We’ve got Larry Willy, Scott Zemitis, and Mark Reilly of GE Wind Energy in the crowd tonight at Tech After Five. Want to find our what is going in on Greenville in Wind Energy? Make sure you are with us tonight. We’ve got over 100 people pre-registered for tonight’s Tech After Five and hope you’ll be there. By special arrangement with Greenville Magazine we’ve got the cover story personalities there for you to talk to.

via: Tech After Five

What are people looking for?

Every month we ask people what we should put on their bad in terms of what they are looking for. Here is what will be appearing on some badges at tonight’s Tech After Five:

What are you looking for at Tech After Five?

Networking
Nirvana
idea-stimulating conversations…
Java
Networking
Friends, Fun, & Free Beer
Networking
Track adn Trace Technology Early Adoptors
let’s talk projects!
good ideas
Contacts in companies that will be hiring in the future.
Employment Opportunities
Networking
Business Intelligence and Web Design and Development Projects
Problems/Ideas for the Interwebs to Solve
Web Designers/video producers/multimedia creators
Ideas that need a push
Seeking Employment
Those who need gourmet web design
Excel Experts

and much, much more….

Come see what you’re missing at Tech After Five

Right now on WEPR 90.1 FM (and others) (and the web)

Teaching and learning in the digital age. Dr. Bob Becker, director of the Strom Thurmond Institute on Government and Public Affairs talks with Dr. Vernon Burton, the Burroughs Distinguished Chair of Southern History and Culture at Coastal Carolina University and the author of The Age of Lincoln.

Area Sales Professionals, CEOs, Presidents, and Senior Managers are invited to attend “No Pressure Business Development for Technology Professionals” This one day workshop will be held Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the Embassy Suites Hotel.

Russ Davis, internationally recognized sales expert and Principal of Sandler Training’s Greenville office, will provide advice about how companies can thrive even in a down economy.

“Opportunities exist in all market conditions,” Davis says. “Sometimes they’re just harder to find – that presents the challenge.”

This workshop will help attendees to quickly identify a sales potential and provide the tactics to obtain it.

To register for the workshop, call 864-527-0497 or visit www.rdavis.sandler.com. Seating is limited, and advanced registration is required.

via: www.rdavis.sandler.com

Fluor Corporation has announced the formation of a dedicated business line within its Power Group to focus on global renewable energy needs specifically for clients in the solar, wind and biomass sectors. Fluor’s additional Power business line is a perfect complement to its existing nuclear, gas fueled, solid fueled and air quality control offerings.

The renewables business line is led by Brad Friesen, a Fluor executive with 32 years of experience and former head of the company’s gas fueled business line. Friesen reports directly to Dave Dunning, president of Fluor’s Power Group. The company will utilize its Irvine, Calif. and Asturias, Spain offices to address client needs around the world.

At the World Economic Forum earlier this year, the International Energy Agency urged world leaders to invest in energy efficiency and clean technologies to bolster economic recovery and achieve climate change policy objectives. Wind, solar and biomass power generation needs are among the fastest growing sectors of the new-build global energy market. For example, installed global solar capacity is expected to grow by 30 to 35 percent a year—from a total of 10 gigawatts today to 200 to 400 gigawatts by 2020, according to McKinsey & Company research.

“The global power market is changing rapidly as increased focus is placed on using renewable sources of energy to meet growing energy demand while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Dave Dunning, president of Fluor’s Power Group. “By bringing all these renewable-related resources under a single offering, we will be able to provide a comprehensive range of solutions to clients in the solar, wind and biomass markets.”

“Fluor has designed and built renewable energy projects for more than 20 years and we will leverage that expertise for the benefit of our clients,” said Brad Friesen, vice president of Fluor’s renewables business line. “Our experience in the field is diverse and includes solar generation work as well as several geothermal and biomass projects throughout the world. Fluor is perfectly positioned to address the needs of our clients on a global basis.”

Fluor’s experience in the renewable sector has been ongoing over the last three decades and dates back to the mid-1980s when the company provided engineering, procurement and construction services for what was then the world’s largest photovoltaic power facility in Carrisa Plain, Calif. Today, Fluor is designing and building polysilicon production plants in China, Norway and the United States, a solar panel manufacturing plant in Singapore as well as leading the design and build efforts for the world’s largest offshore wind farm in the United Kingdom.

via Fluor

Procter & Gamble Professional have announced that it has honored Raman P. (R.P.) Rama as the national grand prize winner of the inaugural 2008/2009 “Family Hotelier of the Year” Award in conjunction with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA).  Rama, a South Carolina hotelier, will be recognized with the award during the AAHOA Annual Convention currently underway in Washington, DC.  The grand prize includes a three-day, two-night trip for four to the convention, a plaque and $5,000 in prize money.

The Family Hotelier of the Year Award demonstrates AAHOA and P&G Professional’s shared commitment to values central to a successful family business: a strong work ethic as well as high levels of skill and passion in business. Along with the grand prize winner, finalists from established AAHOA regions around the country will be recognized on stage during the conference’s general morning session on Friday, April 24.  All winners are AAHOA members in good standing who were nominated by themselves, family, colleagues or members of their communities.  Each finalist was then selected by a team of P&G Professional and AAHOA members based on the nominee’s family involvement, outstanding business and community service, and the creativity and sincerity of the nomination.

“P&G Professional established the Award in conjunction with AAHOA to recognize outstanding hoteliers who have not only contributed greatly to the hospitality industry through a robust family network, but who have also actively served the communities around them,” says Alan Tomblin, Sales Manager of North America for P&G Professional.  “With five nominations, R.P. stood apart as a distinguished hotelier with remarkable professional accomplishments and strong family involvement in his business, and as an established mentor to young professionals.  We congratulate him and his family along with all the regional finalists.”

Rama is the Vice President and Director of Technology & Telecommunications with JHM Hotels, which he established with his four brothers.  He is a passionate contributor to university hospitality programs and serves on several education boards.   He also holds a number of industry certifications, including: Certified Hotel Administrator from AH&LA, Certified Hospitality Technology Professional and Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive from HFTP. He is also an International Director at Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals. Rama and his family have substantially served communities in both South Carolina and abroad, where they have assisted in building much-needed facilities in his native India.

“I am privileged to receive this distinction and am proud of the work that we, the Rama family, have done for the hotels we operate and in the communities we serve” says Rama. “I hope that our collective efforts have inspired others to grow the next generation of family hoteliers, and thank organizations such as P&G Professional for leveraging their reach and resources to recognize us with this honor.”

Brand representatives will be available at Booth #922/924 throughout the AAHOA Annual Convention Trade Show.  Nominations for the 2009/2010 Family Hotelier of the Year Award will be accepted later this year online as well as through the P&G Professional representatives at the upcoming regional AAHOA conferences.  Throughout its history, P&G Professional has offered professional holistic cleaning solutions featuring uncompromised human and environmental safety, along with real-time phone and online Web support for businesses it serves.

via Procter & Gamble

Jackson-Dawson Marketing Solutions, South Carolina’s second largest integrated marketing communications agency, has announced that it is changing its name to Jackson Marketing Group.

Founded in Detroit in 1981, Jackson-Dawson, named after founders Larry Jackson and Sam Dawson, started as a sales training and events company to support the automotive industry. An office in Los Angeles quickly followed to service Asian car companies headquartered on the West Coast.

Jackson, a Greenville native, returned to the Upstate in 1985 to open his own full-service agency under the Jackson-Dawson moniker, while maintaining ownership in the Detroit and Los Angeles offices.

“As our Greenville service offerings have greatly expanded and our marketing efforts and client base have grown nationally and outside of the Southeast, we concluded that it was in the best interest of both companies to change our name,” Jackson Marketing Group founder and Chairman Larry Jackson said. “The time is right to change. We feel Jackson Marketing Group clearly defines who we are as a brand and defines what we do and the breadth of services that we provide.”

“We believe that this will allow us to grow and diversify,” JMG President and CEO Darrell Jackson said. “Our fundamental business strategy and philosophy is not changing. We have a very unique business model built upon solutions-neutral marketing and we still believe in that model.”

Jackson Marketing Group, headquartered in Greenville, S.C. with a service office in Charlotte, N.C., is a fully-integrated marketing communications agency offering strategic planning, interactive media, advertising, public relations, motorsports, event management, video production, fulfillment, warehousing and call center services. JMG provides a variety of integrated marketing communications services for blue-chip brands such as BMW Manufacturing Co., Bloom and Food Lion Grocery Stores, Blue Bird School Buses, Clemson University, Greenville Hospital System, Milliken & Company, Oldcastle Architectural Products, The Palmetto Bank, The American Red Cross, Volvo and Verizon Wireless.

Jackson Marketing Group also has a motorsports division, Jackson Motorsports Group, with offices in Greenville and Charlotte, N.C., and its experience includes BMW, Volvo, Porsche, Ford, Monster Energy Drink, Menzies Motorsports and Sony. It also has experience in some of the world’s leading racing series including NASCAR, NHRA, American Le Mans, SCORE, Best in the Desert, Rock Crawling, AMA, USARacing Series and the Mustang Challenge Series. JMG has also competed in and provided logistics for two transcontinental road rallies – Bullrun 2006 and the 2008 Fireball Run.

via: Jackson Marketing Group

Immedion, South Carolina’s first enterprise-class dedicated data center services provider, is proud to announce the launch of its new Web site design at www.immedion.com.  The new site’s contemporary look developed by Cyberwoven, a Columbia based Web development firm, makes it easier for visitors to obtain information about Immedion’s data center and managed IT solutions and to learn more about the company’s news and events.

“The new Web site is a valuable resource for Immedion to connect with potential customers in the Upstate and beyond,” said Frank Mobley, CEO of Immedion.  “We invite our current and future customers to explore the new site often to see what’s new at Immedion.”

via Immedion

Acumen I.T., an Information Technology ( I.T.) company headquartered in Greenville, SC, has announced the purchase of SwaimBrown Consulting, LLC of Spartanburg.

SwaimBrown Consulting (SBC) is a Microsoft Certified Partner and leading software consulting firm specializing in the implementation, training and support of Microsoft’s Dynamics GP business management software. Their staff of senior consultants has been involved in the successful completion of more than 300 implementations of Dynamics GP. SwaimBrown Consulting’s staff will join Acumen I.T. creating one of the largest Microsoft partners/resellers in the southeast. Microsoft Dynamics GP provides a fully integrated business management system for small and mid-sized companies across all industries. Dynamics GP automates and streamlines businesses processes for financials, supply chain, distribution, manufacturing, HR/payroll, project accounting, ecommerce, customer relationship management (CRM) and other functional areas.

David Pence, President and CEO of Acumen stated,”The acquisition of SwaimBrown Consulting is a great addition to our staff of experts and to our portfolio of solutions for our customers. We can now provide greater depth and Dynamics GP knowledge to our customers and help them move their businesses to the next level. With SwaimBrown Consulting’s expertise, we are poised to grow further throughout the southeast and into other areas of the country.”

“Companies today are looking for a strategic partner capable of addressing all of their complex IT needs,” says Steve Nevelle, President of SwaimBrown Consulting. Nevelle continues, “Microsoft is delivering powerful business solutions that are fully integrated making them easy to deploy and support. By combining resources with SwaimBrown Consulting, Acumen I.T. becomes the dominant Microsoft reseller in the area capable of delivering the full breadth of Microsoft’s integrated solutions to our clients.” Steve Nevelle will be the Practice Manager for Acumen I.T.’s Business Applications Division.

Verizon Wireless announced that it has completed its network preparations throughout South Carolina for the 2009 Hurricane Season.

To ensure Palmetto State residents have comprehensive, reliable wireless coverage in case of severe weather, and every day, the company has invested more than $30 million since the start of last year’s Hurricane Season to strengthen and enhance its wireless network throughout the region.

Highlights of these enhancements include expanding capacity in the company’s regional switching facilities throughout South Carolina, erecting new digital cell sites with on-site back-up power, and deploying a team of “test men” across the state in high-tech vehicles to fine tune the company’s all-digital network.

These intensive investments and preparations proved critical during and after past years’ extraordinary storm seasons. In the aftermath of even the most devastating hurricanes, the Verizon Wireless network in South Carolina remained strong while many other wireless communication networks struggled to serve emergency response officials and residents reaching out to insurance providers, family, friends and co-workers.

Additional highlights of the Verizon Wireless 2009 Hurricane Season preparation and network enhancement include:

• A comprehensive emergency response plan, including preparing emergency command centers across South Carolina in the case of a storm or other crisis.


• Verizon Wireless network technicians, who serve as the inspiration for the famous TV Test Man commercials, traveled more than 22,142 miles across the state this past year in several vehicles (each valued at more than $250,000, equipped with phones, wireless data devices and computers) to measure the quality of voice and data calls on Verizon Wireless and other carriers.


• The company has a fleet of dozens of Cells on Wheels (COWS), Cells on Light Trucks (COLTS), and generators on trailers (GOATS) that can be rolled into hard-hit locations or areas that need extra network capacity.


• Pre-arranging fuel delivery to mobile units and generators to keep the network operating at full strength even if power is lost for an extended period of time.


• Erecting during the past year 35 new digital cell sites, of which 100 percent have their own on-site generators and new expanded fuel tanks to extend their power-generating capacity.


• The completion of the Verizon Wireless 3G high-speed wireless network throughout the region, allowing customers to access advanced wireless services more reliably and at even faster broadband speeds.


• Updating and optimizing technology at regional network switching facilities throughout the state. All of the company’s “super switches,” which are designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, are equipped with large-scale back-up power generation.

These new technologies, facilities and network-strengthening efforts are part of an investment exceeding $631 million in South Carolina since the company was formed. Nationally, in that time period, Verizon Wireless has spent about $50 billion to enhance its digital wireless network.

AFL Telecommunications has announced that the Carolina First Center for Excellence, operating under the Greenville Chamber Foundation, is the recipient of a $5,250 Fujikura Foundation grant in support of growth and expansion efforts. The grant spans a one-year time frame.

“Dedication to the future of our workforce is evident in with the Carolina First Center for Excellence,” said Corie Culp, Community Relations Manager for AFL Telecommunications. “They have taken on a large endeavor to work through our education system to benefit the future of our community, helping to produce a highly qualified workforce essential to the success of the Upstate. We’re pleased to have the opportunity to support their mission and know that what the Center for Excellence provides will have a lasting impact on our future leaders.”

The Fujikura Foundation grant is supporting expansion and growth of the program. CFCE’s goal is to grow into more schools every year, and their goal for the 2009 – 2010 school year is to grow into four to six new partner schools, a program growth of 11% to 14%.

“The recent ‘Salute to Quality’ event held at the Greenville Chamber demonstrated the results and excitement about the difference that quality practices has made in our schools – both for students and teachers,” said Michele Brinn, Vice President of Workforce Development and Education. “More than 20 schools showcased their work. Positive changes are occurring within our schools thanks to the continued support of the Fujikura Foundation.”

The mission of the Carolina First Center for Excellence is to serve as the provider of exemplary training, coaching and related services in continuous quality improvement, including Baldrige principles and practices to schools, district and other educations organization. The Center presently serves thirty schools affecting more than 15,000 students.

via: AFL Telecommunications