Beltway Biz

By Marianne Dunn

Retired Gen. Colin Powell, chairman of America's Promise - the Alliance for Youth, unveiled plans for a computer center that would take technology to low-income children in the Gum Springs area of Alexandria, Va.

"We must ensure all of America's children have access to technology and training regardless of socio-economic background," Powell told about 950 technology executives at the Northern Virginia Technology Council breakfast June 17. "Today, computer literacy is as fundamental as being able to read ... It is a key competency for success in the workplace."

The center, located in Fairfax County's Route 1 corridor, is sponsored by Northern Virginia Technology Council member companies.

When the doors open in September, it will be equipped with advanced hardware and software as well as trained instructors and local volunteers.

America's Promise - the Alliance for Youth is a national organization that mobilizes individuals, groups and organizations to ensure that children have access to the fundamental resources they need to become successful adults.
Bonnie Christ, vice president of Vista Information Technologies Inc. of Herndon, Va., was elected to a three-year term on the board of directors of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, effective July 1.

Christ, who heads Vista's personnel and recruiting and placement subsidiary, The Recruiting Machine Inc., has been involved with the council since its inception. She is the co-chair of the council's executive forum, which focuses on issues of concern to chief executives, chief operating officers and chief information officers in the region's high-technology companies.
Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology elected Erich Windmuller II, IBM director of global government industry, to chair the board of directors of Virginia's Innovative Technology Authority and CIT. Sudhakar Shenoy, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of McLean, Va.-based Information Management Consultants was elected vice chairman.

Windmuller replaces Patricia Woolsey, and Shenoy replaces Windmuller. Woolsey, a management consultant, will remain as a member of the board.
The District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce is looking to replace Kwasi Holman, who resigned as executive vice president June 16.

According to a chamber spokesperson, Holman resigned to pursue other professional interests. Marie Johns, board president, will head the search, and Holman will work with the board to assist in the transition.Training Solutions Inc., Fairfax, Va., and Gestalt Systems Inc., Vienna, Va., have partnered to offer "techsoft," a set of classes that integrates technical skills and soft skills to increase IT workers' technical proficiency, productivity and motivation.

Training Solutions offers classes on professional development and employee selection. Gestalt Systems develops and distributes Internet courseware to Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, training providers and educational institutions worldwide.
Infrastructure Defense Inc., Washington, launched iPARTNERSHIP (www.ipartnership.com), an online news source for cybersecurity professionals.

The service delivers major developments in cybersecurity and is updated several times a day. Content includes security-related issues from the Information Systems Security Association, an international security management organization in Oak Creek, Wis., that has more than 2,000 members. The site also features in-depth features and commentary by experienced cybersecurity writers and experts, articles gathered from multiple wire services, a library and threaded discussion forums. Subscriptions range in price from $95 to $375.
Netcast Inc., Alexandria, Va., signed a long-term agreement with the House of Representatives Committee of Science to provide about 50 hours of live Webcasts of committee hearings each month. A committee spokesman said the contract, which includes archiving hearings and markups, is valued at $6,000 per month.