Defense Industry Roundtable Held at University of Minnesota with Senators Coleman and Klobuchar.

Minneapolis, April 2, 2007 – Minnesota’s Defense Industry Roundtable was held today with Minnesota Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). 150 people representing more than 100 defense and homeland security businesses and organizations attended the Defense Alliance of Minnesota’s morning event at the McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota. The event was co-hosted by the University’s Center for the Development of Technological Leadership (CDTL) and the Institute of Technology (IT).

The attendance by both of Minnesota’s senators has become a bi-annual tradition since 2003, and is illustrative of the state-wide and national attention increasingly given to Minnesota’s sizable and varied defense industry. The defense market sector was also recognized during late 2006 by the state’s Department of Employment and Economic Development when it published its paper “Under the Radar” cataloging the industry.

Following a welcome from I.T.’s Dean, Dr. Steven Crouch, and the Executive Director of CDTL, Dr. Massoud Amin, the senators together gave 30 minutes of opening remarks, followed by 30 minutes of questions and discussion with the Alliance membership in attendance. Issues discussed included: the Iraq and Global War on Terror policy; federal research and development (R&D), and science and technology funding; the need to nurture high tech industry to remain competitive and innovative in the global marketplace; and the importance of maintaining a skilled workforce for the future needs of the defense industry. While there was disagreement between Senator Coleman (who is on the Senate Homeland Security Committee) and Senator Klobuchar, both agreed that America would remain engaged in the world for the foreseeable future, requiring a strong defense generally and innovative high technology to support it. The senators received applause with their agreement on the need to support our nation’s warfighters and Veterans, regardless of current foreign policy and war strategy.

Following the senators’ departure, presentations were made by: IT’s Associate Dean for Research and Planning, Dr. Mostafa Kaveh; CDTL’s Executive Director, Dr. Massoud Amin; BAE Systems’ Director of Army Programs, Jim Unterseher; and the Executive Director of the Defense Sustainment Consortium (DSC), Dale Karraker.

The Roundtable was sponsored by Minnesota-based Alliant Techsystems (ATK), Minnesota Wire & Cable Co., DSC, CDTL, Envelop Protective Covers (a division of Shield Technologies Corporation), Gradient Technology and Phygen.

Monday’s Defense Industry Roundtable was the latest in a series of quarterly events organized by the Defense Alliance of Minnesota, the state’s network for the defense and homeland security industry. Future activities include the “Heartland Security” Conference and Exposition, co-hosted by the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), July 9-11 in the Twin Cities (details are available at www.ndia.org, and click “Schedule of Events”).

The Defense Alliance is an independent organization whose mission is to network and expand Minnesota ’s defense and homeland security industries, to create and retain high quality jobs, and to further promote the state’s important contributions to our men and women of the armed forces. Information on ongoing issues and future events can be found at the Alliance website, www.defensealliance.com.