Press Release – UTIC Welcomes Four New Board Members
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
19 January 2022
Contact: [email protected]
Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium Welcomes Four New Board Members
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. – The Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC), a national non-profit organization designed to support, strengthen, and accelerate maritime technology innovation, has welcomed four new members to its distinguished Board of Directors.
“Our Board of Directors has significant experience across government, defense, military, and policy, and our newest members further enhance the organization’s leadership in the realm of maritime and undersea technology,” said Board Chair Debbie Proffitt, the vice president for DoD Operations and Business Development at Purvis Systems, a technology solutions provider that works with government entities and across the defense industry. “Our national UTIC community of leaders and innovators continues to grow, and our member businesses are fortunate to have the benefit of our Board’s experience, insight, and thoughtful perspectives at a critical time in the industry.”
Brian McKeon of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Don McCormack of the McLaughlin Research Corporation, Vice Admiral Mike Connor (Ret.) of ThayerMahan, and Rick Murray of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are the newest members to join the nine-member Board. Other board members are Rusty Smith, General Dynamics Applied Physical Sciences; Kelly Mendell, MIKEL; Tim DelGiudice, Raytheon Technologies; and Jon Tetreault, Rite-Solutions.
“At a time when many small businesses are unable to connect and network as they have in the past, UTIC is the thread that holds them together. The Consortium’s ability to convene best-in-class industry leaders and deliver for them significant opportunities for learning and growth is unparalleled and I’m proud to help support and advance this work as a member of the Board,” said McCormack, formerly the executive director of the NAVSEA Warfare Centers.
“The strength of our national defense is bolstered by the innovation and creativity of industry, and UTIC is where that innovation and creativity can take root,” said VADM Connor (Ret.) who has held such positions as Commander, United States Submarine Forces; Commander, Submarine Forces Atlantic; and Commander, Allied Submarine Command. “Working with its tremendous roster of members, UTIC highlights capability gaps and needs and identifies trends in technologies so that our country can stay competitive, and our military forces stay strong.”
UTIC members span nearly 300 companies from 38 states, with the majority—72 percent—representing small businesses. These companies design and develop innovative technology supporting the undersea and maritime domains. UTIC members are eligible to bid on related prototype technology projects in support of national defense missions, and to date, have been awarded more than $350 million to develop best-in-class technology.
“Through peer-to-peer networking and collaboration, access to Navy technical leaders, and a robust suite of workforce development programs, UTIC positions our members for success in the short term, and sustainability and growth in the long term,” said Molly Donohue Magee, UTIC executive director. “Our work to convene industry, connect opportunities, and advance innovation has never been more important, and I continue to be deeply grateful for the leadership of my Board of Directors in helping to drive this work forward.”
UTIC is the consortium for the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Agreement with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), giving members the ability to work collaboratively with the U.S. government to respond to national security and defense needs by delivering new technology faster than traditional federal acquisition requirements might permit.
See if your company can qualify to become a member of UTIC.
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The Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC) promotes the rapid development, prototyping, and commercialization of innovative undersea and maritime. The Consortium represents a united undersea and maritime industry voice, breaking down barriers to growth by identifying and integrating undersea and maritime technology resources and opportunities, and providing the environment to collaborate on innovative solutions. For more information on UTIC, please visit www.underseatech.org.
