Beltway Biz

Two Northern Virginia training firms have joined forces to address the shortage of information technology workers in the Washington region.Gestalt Systems Inc. of Tysons Corner and Training Solutions of Chantilly now are offering an integrated technical and soft skills training program to area technology companies.The program's technical curricula includes Microsoft certified technical training for network administrators, system engineers and application developers; A training for computer service technicians; and Internet and Web development. Any of these technical programs can be combined with soft skills training classes in such areas as team building, management and sales development and interpersonal skills.XXXSPLITXXX-George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., now is offering a master's degree in organizational learning for professionals trying to cope with the fast-changing business world.The program is designed for professionals moving into positions of increased responsibility, including business process design, information technology, knowledge management and human resource management. The degree can be completed in 21 months over five consecutive semesters.XXXSPLITXXX-Paul Lombardi, president and chief executive officer of DynCorp, will serve as chairman of the 1999 Greater Washington area U.S. Savings Bonds Campaign for the second year in a row.Lombardi was appointed to the volunteer post by Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin. Working with Lombardi on the campaign are seven local CEOs and business leaders who will promote the savings bond program to local consumers and businesses.XXXSPLITXXX-Anne Crossman, president of Completed Systems Inc., Vienna, Va., was named top female fund-raiser for leukemia research by the Washington chapter of the Leukemia Society of America.Crossman raised $15,373 by rallying the support of the Northern Virginia technology community through a letter-writing campaign to more than 500 business associates, friends and family.