HSDBC 2012 LIFETIME DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
The Council held our Annual Dinner on December 13th at the Willard Hotel. Council members and friends in government joined together to honor David Aguilar, Deputy Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with our Lifetime Distinguished Service Award. Due to last minute travel plans with Secretary Napolitano, the Deputy Commissioner was unable to attend, however his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Aguilar, and son, John David Aguilar, a Customs and Border Protection Officer, accepted the Award on his behalf.

2012 ANNUAL DINNER
Thomas Winkowski, the Acting Chief Operating Officer of CBP, delivered the evening's keynote address and echoed the Council's recognition of Deputy Commissioner Aguilar and his distinguished service to our nation. Mr. Winkowski also discussed the successes and challenges of CBP; and the important role the private sector has had and will continue to have in assisting CBP in advancing their technological and operational needs across our borders.

POST-ELECTION EXECUTIVE BRIEFING
Tom Davis - former VA Congressman and Chairman of the House Government Reform Committee who now serves as Deloitte's Director of Federal Government Affairs - and Paul McHale - former PA Congressman and our nation's first Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense who now is President at Civil Support International LLC - lent their expertise and provided their perspective with Council members on the implications of the election and what our industry could expect in the homeland security enterprise. They shared their thoughts relating to the upcoming changes in leadership of the relevant committees in Congress, the anticipated departures within the Department of Homeland Security, and impact the budget debates will have on the private sector's planning and strategy in the market. Thank you to Deloitte for letting the Council hold the post election program in their beautiful Rosslyn offices.

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR POLICY DAVID HEYMAN
The Council heard from David Heyman, the Assistant Secretary for Policy at the Department of Homeland Security, at our November Executive Roundtable. Heyman joined us immediately following the election, and among other issues, discussed the priorities of the Department going forward in 2013. He specifically discussed the Department's focus on capabilities in the face of changing state players in terrorism; and mentioned how important it is for the Department to map out more articulately the crucial role of the private sector, particularly with respect to insourcing, privatization, COTS, the IT workforce, and systems management. A special thank you to Council Thought Leadership Committee co-chair, Anne Petera from Harris IT Services, for moderating this discussion.

EXECUTIVE TOUR TO SOUTH FLORIDA
The Council is recently back from an incredibly informative and successful Executive Tour in South Florida. More than 20 senior executives from member companies took part in this event that took place in Key West and Miami. The Executive Tour focused on Maritime and Aviation Security as well as Interagency Cooperation. The trip included a combination of on-site tours to and briefings and discussions with the Joint Interagency Task Force South; Coast Guard Sector Key West; SOUTHCOM; Coast Guard Sector Miami; Customs & Border Protection; the Port of Miami; South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area; and the Miami International Airport. We hope you and/or your colleagues will join us on future programs. To see more photos click here.

EXECUTIVE TOUR AND BRIEFING AT ATF HEADQUARTERS
As a follow-up from a recent Thought Leadership Executive Briefing, ten members of the Council participated in a tour and roundtable discussion at the Washington, DC headquarters of the ATF. Council members met with James McDermond, AD, Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information; John Torres, DAD, Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information; Victoria Gold, DAD for Science & Technology and Deputy CIO; and Kevin O'Keefe, Chief of the Criminal Intelligence Division. Topics of discussion included the current status of technology systems, information sharing challenges, mobility, BYOD policies, and ways of improving industry government dialogue on technical problems and solutions.

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY MARK WEATHERFORD, NPPD, DHS
Deputy Under Secretary Mark Weatherford spoke with Council Members, at our September 2012 Executive Roundtable, about recent proposed legislation on cybersecurity and the implications of its failure to pass through Congress. Council Board Member George Cruser, IBM, moderated the program on behalf of our members.

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH POLICE CHIEF CHARLIE DEANE & ASSISTANT DIRECTOR HAROLD HURTT
Prince William County Police Chief Charlie Deane spoke to Council members about information sharing challenges faced at the local level. Harold Hurtt, Assistant Director of the Office of State, Local and Tribal Coordination at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), followed up with how DHS works to build better relations between federal and local law enforcement.

MEET & GREET POLICY DISCUSSION WITH REP. PATRICK MEEHAN (PA-07) & REP. SCOTT RIGELL (VA-02)
Council members met with Rep. Meehan and Rep. Rigell to discuss industry's perspectives and learn about their homeland security priorities/concerns.

PENTAGON FORCE PROTECTION TOUR
A group of Council members toured the Pentagon Force Protection Agency's Integrated Emergency Operations Center, followed by a roundtable discussion with Steven Calvery, Director of the PFPA, Dr. Dan Walsh, Chief of the Science and Technology Office, and other officials.

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH PFPA DIRECTOR CALVERY
Stephen Calvery, Director of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, discussed his vision for the agency going forward with Council members at our April 2012 Executive Roundtable. Mr. Calvery spoke about some the pertinent challenges he currently faces ensuring the physical protection of the Pentagon and all other DoD facilities in the National Capital Region.

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH DHS CHIEF OF STAFF KROLOFF
Noah Kroloff, Chief of Staff for the Department of Homeland Security, spoke with Council members at our March 2012 Executive Roundtable. Mr. Kroloff discussed the Secretary's priorities for the year and discussed the need for continued dialogue between the Department and industry. Members had the opportunity to engage with him on a range of issues including the budget, the issues surrounding integrating assets from theatre to the border, and the Secretary's international efforts.

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH FBI EAD HENRY
FBI Executive Assistant Director Shawn Henry spoke to members at our February 2012 Executive Roundtable. EAD Henry highlighted the FBI's important role in combating the constantly evolving threat of cybercrime. He discussed how his branch interacts with other government departments and agencies in order to have a more comprehensive approach to cybersecurity.

COUNCIL TESTIFIES BEFORE CONGRESS ON TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT AT TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
On October 13, 2011, Council President & CEO testified before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security, at a hearing entitled: "TSA Reform: Exploring Innovations in Technology Procurement to Stimulate Job Growth, Part II." Read the testimony. Read the press release.

COUNCIL ISSUES PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS MONOGRAPH & HOSTS NATIONAL CONVERSATION WITH THREE DHS SECRETARIES
The Council hosted a National Conversation on Homeland Security Looking Forward, in coordination with the Homeland Security Policy Institute, featuring a discussion with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and her predecessors Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff. Held on October 11, 2011, the conversation was moderated by Admiral Thad Allen, former Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.), and focused on the challenges facing homeland security, the continuously changing threat environment, and the role of the private sector over the next decade.  Additionally, the Council released its 14th and final monograph as part of its "9/10/11 Project," focusing on successful Public-Private Partnerships that have served to help prepare our nation over the past decade. Read the monograph. Read the press release.

THE EVOLUTION OF HOMELAND SECURITY MONOGRAPH RELEASED
On September 9, 2011, the Council released its monograph focusing on the evolution of homeland security over the past decade. It details the formation of DHS and subsequent streamlining of America's homeland security effort. Read the monograph . Read the press release.

CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR, AND EXPLOSIVE THREATS MONOGRAPH RELEASED
On August 10, 2011, the Council released its monograph on the constantly evolving threat of a Chemcial, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or Explosive attack on the United States. Read the monograph. Read the press release .

HOMELAND SECURITY & DEFENSE BUSINESS COUNCIL APPEARS BEFORE CONGRESS ON DHS PROCUREMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Council testified before Congress on July 15, 2011, regarding the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) procurement policies and procedures, proposing recommendations for improvement and calling for greater communication between industry and government. Click here to read the testimony . Read the press release here.

PRIVACY AND SECURITY MONOGRAPH RELEASED
On July 11, 2011, the Council released its eleventh monograph in the 9/10/11 Project Series on the debate over ensuring both privacy and security in America. Read the monograph.Read the press release.

MASS TRANSIT SECURITY
On June 10, 2011, the Council released its tenth monograph in the 9/10/11 Project Series on the state of security in the country's mass transit systems. Read the monograph . Read the press release.

COUNCIL TESTIFIES BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CYBERSECURITY, INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION, AND SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES
On Thursday, May 26, 2011, Marc Pearl, President & CEO of the Homeland Security & Defense Business Council testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies on the SAFETY Act. Click here to read the testimony. Read the press release.

COUNCIL ISSUES BIOMETRICS MONOGRAPH
The Homeland Security and Defense Business Council released its ninth monograph in its 9/10/11 Project, on May 10, 2011. The monograph focuses on the growth of the use of biometrics and ID authentication, detailing how the partnership of government and private industry has brought sophisticated new biometric and authentication technologies to the mainstream.  Read the monograph. Read the press release.

PORT AND MARITIME SECURITY MONOGRAPH RELEASED
On April 10, 2011, the Council released its monograph on the focusing on how the public and private sectors have worked to protect the nation's port and maritime security environment.  Read the monograph. Read the press release.

2010 ANNUAL REPORT RELEASED
The Council held its Annual Members Meeting on March 16, 2011 and presented its 2010 Annual Report. Read the annual report.

COUNCIL TESTIFIES BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION REGARDING INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE ON IMPROVING HOMELAND SECURITY R&D
Council President and CEO Marc Pearl testified on March 15, 2011 before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation on the homeland security industry's perspective on the relationship and interaction between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate programs and the private sector's recommendations for success. Click here to read the testimony. Read press release.

COUNCIL LAUNCHES NATIONAL CONVERSATION SERIES AND RELEASES MONOGRAPH ON PREPAREDNESS
The Homeland Security & Defense Business Council launched its National Series on the State of Homeland Security and released its seventh monograph in its 9/10/11 Project, focusing on how far the public and private sectors have come to increase preparedness efforts and prepare for all hazard events. Read the monograph. Read the press release.

BORDER SECURITY MONOGRAPH ISSUED
On February 10, 2011, the Council released its sixth monograph in its 9/10/11 Project, focusing on the evolution of border security agencies and missions and examining the mechanisms in place to secure our borders against terrorism and illegal activity. With increasing concern over violence on our southern border, the Council interviews numerous leaders to identify the challenges we must confront and the solutions available to achieve a secure and resilient border.  Read the monograph. Read the press release.

MONOGRAPH ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION RELEASED
The Council released its fifth monograph in its 9/10/11 Project on January 10, 2011, focusing on the nation’s dependence on our critical infrastructure, and the steps the public and private sector take to protect it. Read the monograph. Read the press release.