Thursday, January 30, 2014

DOD Announces Nomination of Cyber Command Commander/ NSA Director

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced today Navy Vice Adm. Michael S. Rogers as President Obama's nominee to become commander of U.S. Cyber Command.

In addition, the Secretary announced that he has designated Vice Adm. Rogers to serve as director of the National Security Agency, and chief of the Central Security Service.

Vice Adm. Rogers currently serves as the U.S. Fleet Cyber Command commander. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he will replace Gen. Keith Alexander, who has served as the NSA director since 2005, and the Cyber Command commander since 2010.

Additionally, the department is announcing that Richard Ledgett has been selected to serve as the NSA deputy director.  In his new role as the senior civilian at NSA, Ledgett acts at the agency's chief operating officer. He replaces J. Chris Inglis, who retired from the position in January.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

NWEA Becomes Element 8

At its annual Cleantech Leadership Forum, Northwest Energy Angels officially became Element 8.

Its new name, image and messaging were chosen to better communicate to investors and entrepreneurs not just what they do, but why they do it -- to create a healthier and more sustainable planet.

Accompanying the new name is a completely re-designed website www.element8angels.com in which Element 8 tries to speak very directly to everyone whose expertise we can leverage, and with whom they can partner, to achieve the mission.

Northwest Energy Angels was founded in 2006, as the very first angel funding group exclusively focused on clean technology and sustainability.  Since that time, its investors and portfolio have grown until it became clear that the name, and its generic acronym NWEA, no longer reflected their full scope. 

Our 43 portfolio companies represent a wide range of products, services, and market sectors and are located all across North America.  Element 8 sees abundant opportunities to create a prosperous and brighter future. They were motivated to craft a name and brand that does not unintentionally limit the perception of its scope. And better yet, the Element 8 name conveys the future they intend to help create, and its aspirations for a sustainable and healthy planet. 

Element 8, the atomic expression for Oxygen, is a wonderful metaphor.  It evokes the aspirations of our work-clean air, clean water, an abundant element essential for life and health. And Oxygen is a change agent, as is the organization, sparking the fuel of monetary investments, as well as guiding and mentoring early-stage companies.

T

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Nominations Open for EY Entrepreneur of the Year

Nominations are open for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2014 Awards, celebrating innovative business leaders who turn vision into reality.

EY is calling for nominations for the 28th Annual EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards, recognized as one of the most prestigious business award programs in the country. The program has a firm deadline of March 14, 2014 for nominations, with the Pacific Northwest awards ceremony scheduled for June 20, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, Bellevue, Washington.

Each year, EY showcases successful entrepreneurs from more than 150 cities in 60 countries. In 2013, nine entrepreneurs leading companies from the Pacific Northwest were selected as EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners. Past award winners in this region include: Gertrude Boyle and Tim Boyle, Columbia Sportswear; Dan Brettler, CarToys; Greg Enell, Double Down Interactive; Dave Shaffer, DePaul Industries; Howard Schultz, Starbucks;  Spencer Rascoff, Zillow; and, Jim Weber, Brooks Sports.

“At EY, it’s through our Entrepreneur Of The Year Program that we have had the privilege of getting to know many high impact entrepreneurs,” said Mike Kacsmar, Americas Director, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year. “The entrepreneurs we have honored are creating disruptive companies and causing a positive ripple effect in our communities, our capital markets and our economy.”

Award winners are selected in a number of industry categories by a panel of independent regional judges, including previous winners of the award, leading CEOs and private capital investors and other regional business leaders. Entrepreneurs may nominate themselves or be nominated by peers and other business leaders.

Awards criteria
To qualify, entrepreneurs must be the founder or an executive who organizes, manages and assumes the risk of a business early in its life cycle or during its growth. Self-nominations are encouraged, and there is no fee. The firm deadline for 2014 nominations is March 14.

Entrepreneurs eligible for consideration include not only company founders, but also leaders of multi-generation family businesses and transformational public and private company CEOs. Additionally, the nominee’s company must be at least two years old.

Information is available at www.ey.com/us/eoy. For information on the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in the Pacific Northwest please visit www.ey.com/us/eoy/pnw. 

Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored by SAP Americas and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

In the Pacific Northwest, regional sponsors include Merrill Corporation, Perkins Coie LLC, Scherzer International,  he Big Picture Video Film & Arts, and Union Bank

Contact information
To get more information, as well as nomination forms, contact: Rachel Anderson, rachel.anderson@ey.com or +1 206 654 7633. 

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 150 cities in more than 60 countries.

About EY’s Strategic Growth Markets practice EY’s Strategic Growth Markets (SGM) practices guide leading high-growth companies. Our multidisciplinary teams of elite professionals provide perspective and advice to help our clients accelerate market leadership. SGM delivers assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services to thousands of companies spanning all industries. EY is the undisputed leader in taking companies public, advising key government agencies on the issues impacting high-growth companies and convening the experts who shape the business climate. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/us/strategicgrowthmarkets, or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth.

About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Puget Sound Cyber Security Summit

Join the Puget Sound Cyber Security Summit for a regional discussion of current cyber threats and common challenges with managing complex data and access.

(Click on Image for a Larger & Complete View)

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Data Innovation Day

Today is Data Innovation Day, a celebration of the benefits generated by the current revolution in data. At events around the world, participants are showcasing the latest innovations in the use of data and the economic value of the information economy.

The keystone event is in Washington, DC, with over 100 global partners in Philadelphia, PA, Austin, TX, and Palo, Alto, CA, India, Ireland, England, Turkey, Nepal, Russia, Ukraine and Australia, will participate in social media and other virtual activities.

You can:
1.    Contact your representative with a short message about the importance of data to your work and your community.
2.    Follow and participate in the conversation on social media, using the hashtag #datainnovation
3.    Watch the Washington DC event live here