Ulman Unveils New Energy Saving Initiative
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman held a news conference on the rooftop of the Howard County Library’s East Columbia Branch to unveil the new 24 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels recently installed as part of an effort to incorporate solar power into county government operations.

In addition, an interactive computer station inside the library will provide real-time data on how much power the photovoltaic cells produce. The computer also explains how the system works and help users learn more about the benefits of solar power.

Each solar panel measures 5 feet by 3 feet, making the total roof coverage about 500 square feet. The power generated from the panels, which were installed by Chesapeake Solar at a net cost to the county of $45,000, will be fed into the library’s electrical distribution system.

The system, on average, is expected to generate approximately 500 kWh (kilowatt hours) a month. In the first month of operation, the solar array has already generated more than 700 kWh of electricity, which would be enough to power 28 average-sized Howard County homes for one day. The average American home uses 920 kWh each month.

New Director Sought for DISA
The Department of Defense has withdrawn its nomination of Rear Admiral Elizabeth Hight for head of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Hight, who serves as the agency’s vice director, had been tapped to replace the current director, Air Force Lt. Gen. Charles Croom, who retires in July.

“This was done to prevent any perceived conflict of interest due to her husband’s current position within the defense industry,” confirmed Air Force Lt. Col. Patrick Ryan, a Pentagon spokesman. Hight is married to retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Gary Salisbury, who serves as vice president of business development and sales in the Defense Mission Systems division of Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems sector.

“Admiral Hight continues to do an outstanding job and will remain in her position as the DISA vice director,” Ryan said. “A new nominee will be announced in the near future.”

DISA is in the process of relocating to Fort Meade as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process. Now under construction, the agency’s new headquarters building will be ready for occupancy by October 2010, with six additional buildings scheduled for completion by September 2011.

Legislation Creating BRAC Higher Education Fund Now Law
Legislation sponsored by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) authorizing expenditures from the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) for initiatives that address higher education needs related to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) relocation effort has become law.

In fiscal 2009, $3 million is being allocated to MHEC to help implement the BRAC HEIF to support various programmatic initiatives for BRAC-related personnel and the communities they reside in.

Funds will be distributed through a competitive request for proposal process and may be used for initiatives in the following areas: Regional Higher Education Centers, which may include technology upgrades, expansion of space and program offerings; BRAC literacy, which may include workforce training and other literacy initiatives; and BRAC-related initiatives, which may include projects that expand campus capabilities.

BRAC is expected to impact many of the federal military installations in Maryland, resulting in an estimated 48,000 direct jobs, placing Maryland among the largest beneficiaries in the country. Most of these jobs are projected to be medical professionals, engineers and managers. The majority of the gains are expected at Fort Meade, as well as Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Harford County, Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County and the National Naval Medical Center in Montgomery County.

SRA Acquires ICS
SRA International, a provider of technology and strategic consulting services to government organizations, has acquired Columbia-based Interface & Control Systems (ICS), a product development and engineering services firm specializing in real-time, embedded and autonomous command and control software systems for government and commercial mission-critical projects. The company specializes in delivering automation software for satellites, control centers, ground stations, test sets, simulators and e-business systems.

“By combining our unique product offerings with SRA’s resources and service capabilities, we will deliver more value to our customers, further enhance our market leadership and offer new career opportunities for our employees,” said ICS President and CEO Jay Offutt.

Completion of the transaction is effective immediately. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. ICS will reside in the Intelligence and Space Strategic Business Unit within SRA’s National Security Sector.

Erickson to Open First Health Clinic in Howard County
Erickson Retirement Communities will expand its comprehensive health care services for retirees outside of its campuses when it opens its first off-site medical office in Columbia by August.

Erickson Health, the company’s health care division, presently has more than 100 health care providers and programs for more than 21,000 residents at its 20 campuses nationwide. The new Erickson health practice will be open to adults 65 and older covered by Medicare.

Dr. Rebecca Elon, medical director of Lorien Columbia nursing home, will direct the Howard County practice. There are 15,000 residents 65 and older within a five-mile radius of the office. The one-physician practice could eventually employ five to 10 doctors.

Olympus Acquires Jessup-Based Ann’s House of Nuts
Olympus Partners has acquired Jessup-based Ann’s House of Nuts, a manufacturer of private label and branded snack nut and trail mix products, through a newly-formed, affiliated entity.

“We are pleased to partner with management and the Zinke family in acquiring the business,” said Manu Bettegowda, a partner with Olympus, a Stamford, Conn.-based private equity firm. “We are excited about the growth potential in the healthy snack category and believe Ann’s is well positioned with its reputation for quality products and exceptional service.”

Olympus is a provider of equity capital for middle-market management buyouts and for companies needing capital for expansion. It is an active, long-term investor across a broad range of industries, including health care services, financial services, consumer products and business services.

Dormia to Hold $4 Million Bankruptcy Liquidation Sale
 Jessup-based Dormia, a mattress retailer and manufacturer with 20 stores located across the Central and Eastern United States, has started a court-ordered liquidation sale. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year and the court selected Hudson Capital Partners LLC to manage the store liquidations.

Inventory valued at approximately $4.3 million was liquidated at below-market prices in a sale that is expected to last approximately 10 weeks. Merchandise to be sold will include mattresses, pillows, bed covers and other bedding accessories.

The liquidation sale will involve all 20 Dormia locations in nine states. Following the liquidation of the stores, Dormia will continue to manufacture bedding products for sale by other retailers, but will no longer have any store locations. Dormia manufactures its products in a 110,000-square-foot facility in Jessup.

Former Siemens Manager Convicted in AG’s Corruption Investigation at UMBC
Scott Allan Wallick, 53, the former general manager of Siemens Building Technologies’ Baltimore office, was convicted of conspiracy to bribe George Alinsod while Alinsod was the manager of UMBC Construction Services.

Wallick allowed the sales engineers working under his supervision to negotiate five service contracts with Alinsod in which an inflated “miscellaneous” cost to UMBC was built into each service contract price. The “slush fund” created by this overbilling scheme, amounting to $83,800 over six years, was then used by the sales engineers to buy Alinsod gifts from lists that he provided, including a riding saddle and accessories, trips, scuba equipment, a plasma TV and other electronic items.

$40 Million Health Care Campaign Launched in Maryland, Nationwide
Health Care for America Now, a coalition of major organizations including labor unions, large community-based membership groups, women’s organizations, doctors, nurses, small businesses and leading netroots activists, has launched a $40 million campaign to push for quality, affordable health care for every American.

The campaign will be hosting launch events in 44 cities, including 36 state capitals, nationwide. Between now and election day, the group plans to spend $25 million in paid media and have 100 organizers in 45 states.

Marine Corps, NGC Team Completes Successful G/ATOR Preliminary Design Review
The U.S. Marine Corps’ new Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) moved an important step closer to production with the successful conclusion of the formal preliminary design review (PDR) at Northrop Grumman Corp.’s (NGC) Electronic Systems sector headquarters.

G/ATOR is a highly mobile system intended to fully support the Marine Corps’ expeditionary warfare requirements. The new multi-mission radar system, which is intended to replace five existing Marine Corps radars, will provide the Marines with enhanced capabilities to detect, track and provide target quality data to engage hostile aircraft, cruise missiles and unmanned air vehicles, and provide location of hostile rockets, mortars and artillery.

Scholarship Honors McCreedy
The Fort Meade Alliance has created a scholarship in honor of the outgoing garrison commander at Fort Meade, Col. Kenneth McCreedy, to help students interested in science, technology, engineering, math or linguistics.

The Kenneth O. McCreedy Scholarship Fund will be an ongoing initiative aimed at graduates of Meade High School who want to continue their studies in engineering, linguistics, math, science or technology.

More than $6,000 has been raised and donations are still being accepted. To donate to the fund, send a check or money order to the Fort Meade Alliance (noting that it is for the Kenneth O. McCreedy Scholarship Fund) at 2660 Riva Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.