Beltway Biz

TRW Systems & Information Technology Group dedicated its new headquarters in Reston, Va., joining other high-profile firms in the red-hot Dulles technology corridor. About 1,000 employees will work in the new 12-story building. They include the group's commercial and non-defense government business units, senior executives, human resources, finance and business and other administrative functions. The building eventually will hold 1,300 employees.

The dedication of the building April 15 marked "the final transitioning phase of the TRW and BDM merger in January 1998," said Phil Odeen, executive vice president and general manager of TRW Systems & Information Technology Group. The group's previous headquarters was in Fairfax, Va.

A group of technology leaders has formed a Washington-based Internet policy and education organization.

The Internet Policy Institute will provide analysis, research, education and outreach on a range of economic, social and policy issues related to the development and use of the Internet. The group's founding money came from America Online, MCI WorldCom, the Morino Institute, Nasdaq, Network Solutions Inc., the Potomac KnowledgeWay and the World Information Technology and Services Alliance.

The IPI's working group is chaired by Kimberly Jenkins, chairman and founder of Highway 1, a non-profit organization that educates government officials on information technology.

Recognizing the shortage of trained information technology professionals in the metropolitan Washington area, several groups have forged a cooperative arrangement to train displaced workers and disabled persons.

The IT training program for displaced workers is funded by a Labor Department training grant and is being coordinated through the Northern Virginia Manpower Consortium. The IT training program for disabled persons is part of the national Pass It On program and is being delivered through Fairfax Opportunities Unlimited in partnership with the Information Technology Association of America.