EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH PEGGY SHERRY, CFO, DHS
The Council was honored to host Peggy Sherry, Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Homeland Security, at our April Executive Roundtable. Ms. Sherry discussed how the Department is strategizing to comply with sequestration and the overall constricting budget environment. Members also learned more about her relationship working with component CFOs and dealing with the Department's 13 financial systems.

ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING
The Council held our 9th Annual Members Meeting on Thursday, March 28th and released our 2012 Annual Report, outlining our successful year of Thought Leadership initiatives, Executive Tours, Executive Roundtables, and Public Policy activities. We were honored to have Bob Kolasky from NPPD, keynote the meeting. The Director of DHS' Integrated Task Force discussed the implementation of Presidential Policy Directive 21 on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, as well as Executive Order 13636 on Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity.

CHAIRMAN MCCAUL SPEAKS BEFORE MEMBERS AT MARCH EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, spoke to a group of senior executives at our March Executive Roundtable. Chairman McCaul discussed his priorities as the new Chairman of the Committee, and specifically focused on his cyber security legislation and related bills currently being considered in the House. Members also discussed with the Chairman issues surrounding border security, TSA, and the management functions of the Department. Dave Patterson, President of Intel Federal LLC, moderated this discussion on behalf of our members.

FEDERAL CLOUD SECURITY SYMPOSIUM & NATIONAL CONVERSATION
The Council held a half symposium on myths about security in cloud computing and how the federal government adopts and deploys cloud solutions. Following the symposium, the HSDBC National Conversation was held on unresolved issues in federal cloud computing with Kevin Deeley - Deputy CIO at DoJ, Richard Spires - CIO at DHS, and Mark Ryland - Chief Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services.

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH THE COORDINATOR FOR CYBER ISSUES, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Christopher Painter, Coordinator for Cyber Issues at the State Department, spoke to Council members at our February Executive Roundtable. Mr. Painter discussed his office's mission and how they interact with other federal agencies and global partners. Scott Price, Vice President & General Manager of the Homeland Security Solutions sector for General Dynamics IT, moderated the discuss on behalf of the Council.

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.

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.