Rhode Island to Host 3rd Annual Defense & Oceanography Day

June 13, 2007

Event to highlight defense and oceanography assets in Rhode Island and featured guest speaker Admiral Jay M. Cohen, Under Secretary, Science & Technology Directorate, Department of Homeland Security

The 3rd Annual RI Defense & Oceanography Day is scheduled for Thursday, June 14, 2007 beginning at 8:45 a.m., and will be held at the University of Rhode Island's (URI) Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO), Corless Auditorium located at the Bay Campus in Narragansett, RI. This event builds upon the need for the industry to see, hear and meet the technological challenges for our country's national and homeland defense with leading national presenters. This year's event will feature the Honorable Jay Cohen, Under Secretary, Science & Technology Directorate for the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The Rhode Island defense industry represents $2 billion in annual revenues and generates over 16,000 high-skilled and high-wage jobs. The vast bulk of our defense industry deals with meeting the challenges for undersea warfare and anti-surface warfare. Yet, the new paradigm is to create and develop dual-use technologies (with defense and commercial applications) to protect the nation's homeland, particularly, the coastal states and ports that drive commerce.

"Whether training future admirals, designing underwater vehicles or demonstrating new port security systems, Rhode Island's defense and oceanographic industry is one of the nation's finest, distinguished both by the breadth of our expertise and our unique ability to coordinate complex, multi-partner collaborations," says Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Saul Kaplan. "There is no question that the defense and oceanography sector will continue to be an important part of our efforts to build a 21st century innovation economy and create good, high wage jobs for Rhode Islanders. As this event demonstrates, deeper collaboration across industry, academia, and government will dramatically accelerate our progress and open the door to new opportunities for Rhode Island to lead the nation in managing large-scale, cross-disciplinary projects and partnerships. The state is committed to being a strong partner in this effort and to supporting growth across Rhode Island's defense and oceanographic community."

This year's key note presenter, Jay M. Cohen, serves as the Under Secretary, Science & Technology Directorate with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Having led the US Office of Naval Research office for an unprecedented 5+ years, Admiral Cohen is now responsible for structuring research and development activities for the DHS.

Other speakers at this year's Defense & Oceanography Day will include:

The 3rd Annual Rhode Island Defense & Oceanography Day will once again bring the best minds from the private sector, academia and federal defense laboratories to discuss key areas of interest as well as updating state and federal officials on cutting-edge technology development occurring in Rhode Island.

This event is sponsored by the RIEDC, Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA), University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography, Newport County Chamber of Commerce, and the Rhode Island House Defense Economy Planning Commission.

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