Pictured left to right: Lisa Swoboda, Maryland Department of Commerce; Tim O’Ferrall, Fort Meade Alliance; Jim Hopper, Meade High School; Lt. General Omar Jones, U.S. Army Installation Management Command; Col. Michael Sapp, U.S. Army, U. S. Army Garrison Fort George G. Meade; Deon Viergutz, Fort Meade Alliance Foundation; Dean Ertwine, Maryland Department of Commerce.
In early November, Fort Meade Alliance Foundation President Deon Viergutz and Fort Meade Alliance General Manager Tim O’Ferrall joined Fort Meade Garrison Commander COL Michael Sapp and Meade High School Homeland Security Signature Program lead Jim Hopper in Orlando for the annual Innovations in Installations Conference, hosted by the Association of Defense Communities (ADC).
The Fort Meade Region was recognized as one of five Great American Defense Communities this year. ADC debuted a video highlighting the region.
During the conference, O’Ferrall moderated a panel of experts in education and community partnerships including Sapp, Hopper and leaders from Texas and Missouri. Attending the standing room only discussion was IMCOM Commanding General Lt. Gen. Omar J. Jones IV. The discussion focused on how schools and installation commands could work better to elevate the learning experience of military-connected schools and how our region has been making positive strides to change the reputation of the Meade schools.
