NVTC Honors Governor Kaine and Announces First Green IT Award Winners at Annual TechCelebration Banquet; General George W. Casey Provides Keynote

In an event that included dozens of federal, state and local government officials and executives from the nation's leading technology companies, the NVTC held its annual TechCelebration banquet on Monday. With over 750 people in attendance, the NVTC honored Governor Kaine with its 2009 Chairman's Award, promoted the success of area companies engaged in green technology and heard a keynote from General George W. Casey, Jr., Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and Member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

By Mike Hackmer | November 18, 2009

In an event that included dozens of federal, state and local government officials and executives from the nation's leading technology companies, the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) held its annual TechCelebration banquet last evening at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner, VA.

With over 750 people in attendance, the NVTC honored Governor Tim Kaine with its 2009 Chairman's Award, promoted the success of area companies engaged in green technology and heard a keynote from General George W. Casey, Jr., Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and Member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"This event was an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our area’s technology companies as well as honor individuals, such as Governor Kaine, who are working to ensure Northern Virginia is one of the nation’s most influential and respected global technology centers," said Bobbie Kilberg, President & CEO of NVTC.

Governor Kaine, who is coming to the end of his term in office, was recognized by NVTC for his achievements in advancing Virginia's technology community and promoting business by creating a highly favorable atmosphere for companies to operate in the state. Kaine's policies have been widely credited as instrumental in luring 5 Fortune 500 companies to the state over the last few years.

"The technology community is absolutely critical to the success of the state," Kaine said upon receiving the award. Observing that the state's last 5 CTO's were present, including current federal government CTO, Aneesh Chopra, Kaine said that a large part of the state's success was due to the excellent teams he and prior administrations have assembled to lead technology policy in state.

Following Governor Kaine's award, NVTC held its first Green Awards designed to recognize companies engaged in developing cutting-edge green technologies that are environmentally sound and energy efficient.

The Large Organization Finalists included: CSC, ICF International, and Micron Technology, Inc. The Small Organization Finalists included: Catch the Wind Ltd., Power Loft LLC, and Renaissance Lighting. CSC, which was credited with implementing corporate-wide efforts to reduce energy use and recycle waste and technology, was presented with a Green Award for companies with over $50 million in annual revenue. Power Loft, a real estate development company, won the other Green Award for developing a high-density data center in Prince William county that will require 118 million fewer kilowatt hours annually. When at full capacity the facility will generate $94 million in utility savings over ten years and a lead to a reduction of carbon emissions the equivalent of over 22,000 cars.

Following the awards, General Casey opened his remarks by thanking NVTC for the moment of silence in remembering those who lost their lives at Fort Hood and noted that the "Army is no stranger to tragedy and that we have drawn strength from adversity and we will get past this."  General Casey then outlined trends that are exacerbating conflict including globalization, technology, and changing demographics. The two things that worry him most, he said, are weapons of mass destruction in the hands of terrorists and safe havens. He went on to identify four areas that the Army must address to help ensure global security. These include the need to win the wars we are currently fighting, help other countries build their security forces, support civil authorities at home and abroad, and deter and defeat hybrid threats in hostile states. He also told the crowd that we are "lucky to have generation after generation of soldiers who are willing to fight and die for this country and the ideals it stands for."

All in all it was a great event that offered attendees an excellent balance of networking, technology, politics and patriotism. 

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