Home    About Us    Membership    Articles    Press Releases    Event Schedule    Resource Fund 
 

Profiles of the

2007 Michigan Homeland Security SELECT Award winners

Click here to access the 2007 SELECT Awards Program Guide

The Michigan Homeland Security Consortium (MIHSC) launched the Michigan Homeland Security SELECT™ Awards to acknowledge homeland security segment leaders in our state. The first annual awards ceremony, held at the Lansing Center (in downtown Lansing) on Tuesday, April 24, brought well deserved recognition to the leadership, innovation and business strengths among private and public groups.

Leadership

Winner:

Lieutenant Colonel Kriste Etue

Deputy Director

Michigan State Police, Lansing

Etue was nominated for her leadership within the Michigan State Police, especially after the attacks on September 11. She was promoted to lieutenant colonel and commander of the Administrative Services Bureau (ASB), and she was the first female to obtain the rank of lieutenant colonel in the department's 89-year history.  She provides executive direction and leadership to the divisions of Budget and Financial Services, Criminal Justice Information Center, Human Resources, Management Services and Training, as well as the 911 Administrative Section and the Criminal Justice Information Systems Policy Council. Etue also serves as one of the department's three deputy directors and as a member of the department's Executive Council. Prior to her promotion, Etue served as commander of the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division where she was responsible for the management and administration of statewide emergency management and homeland security programs and activities. Etue enlisted with the department in 1987, and graduated as a member of the 101st Trooper Recruit School. She has served at the Brighton and Coldwater posts, Special Operations Division and the Prevention Services Section before being promoted into the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division in 2002.

Honorable Mention:

American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids

Lisa Marks

The American Red Cross has a 125-year history of helping prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.  The organization’s work became drastically more relevant once this strategic focus was mandated by the Department of Homeland Security.  The American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids has taken very seriously its responsibility to prepare local individuals, families and businesses for both natural and man-made disasters. It is a leader and advocate for strong Homeland Security programming in West Michigan and throughout the state. Here are a list of accomplishments:

·         Initiated first Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program affiliated with the American Red Cross in Michigan - providing preparedness education, CPR and First Aid training, and Mass Care operations within the community.

·         Trained 280 citizen volunteers in CERT, participated in 14 exercises and provided more than 2200 hours of volunteer service over past 18 months.

·         First to develop and provide CERT train-the-trainer program outside SE Michigan.

·         Only non-governmental Incident Command System Instructors in Michigan

·         Developed “Saving lives at the Sound” program to ensure at least one working smoke alarm in every residential housing unit in the City of Grand Rapids. Over 10,000 households reached since September 2005.

·         “Get Ready Kent County” distributed to 60,000 households monthly to educate in steps to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and Pandemic Influenza.

·         America Watchful and Ready for Emergencies (AWARE) program presented fire safety education to over 11,400 elementary students since September 2005.

·         First Red Cross chapter to manage a Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) to support medical needs following a disaster.  They are the primary support agency in the event of a National Disaster or WMD event. The 140 designated shelter locations with capacity for 75,000 evacuees can be used as medical facilities in the event of Pandemic Influenza.

Security

Winner:

Keith Murray

Virtual Emergency Services

Southfield, Michigan

With its business partners, Virtual Emergency Services, LLC (VES) provides value-added services to a client base that comprises 80% of the Fortune 500 companies. VES has demonstrated -- to the Department of Homeland Security at the State and County level, HQ Marine Corps – Force Protection (HQMC), The Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA), Large Defense Contractors, Security Directors, Emergency Management Professionals and First Responders -- the value of its technology involved in the services they provide. VES provides custom “tactical mapping” for various vertical markets. The nominators feel every facility including Healthcare, Schools, High Rise, High-Hazard sites, Manufacturing, Shopping Centers, Airports, Sporting venues and Convention Centers will benefit from VES services. VES solutions achieve Homeland Security-related goals by accomplishing the following:

·         Increases life safety and protection of property

·         Provides immediate access to all vital information for site personnel and First Responders during an emergency situation

·         Enhances training and simulations

·         Inventory of Critical Infrastructure and Assets

·         Mitigation of incidents

·         Virtual Environments with embedded 360 degree imagery

·         Enhance Risk Profile (Life, Property, Legal & Insurance)

Honorable Mention:

Dennis Carmichael

ERT Systems

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Carmichael, as CEO of ERT Systems, LLC has contributed significantly to the development of both the business model of ERT Systems as well as the product, OnSite ERT.  OnSite ERT is a wireless system for tracking emergency responder resources in real-time that displays all resources (personnel and equipment) on a map.  OnSite ERT not only improves operational efficiency through the rapid identification of all resources on a large emergency scene, it improves responder safety as well.  Utilizing already proven wireless technologies, Carmichael led the R & D team in building a patentable "drop reader" that is the foundation for the system.  Carmichael brought OnSite ERT from its proof of concept phase through its prototype phase. He is now implementing the commercial product phase.  Carmichael's drive to bring this emergency information-sharing product answers the mutual-aid and regional response "nightmares" that America's first responders experience at large disasters. Dennis has also won several Business Plan competitions including the Michigan Great Lakes Entrepreneur Quest (GLEQ), the Annual Collaboration for Entrepreneurs (ACE), and the New Enterprise Forum (NEF). OnSite ERT has also been approved for listing on the Department of Homeland Security's Authorized equipment List.

Technology

Winner:

David R. Schneider, PhD

Coventry Diagnostics

Troy, Michigan

Dr. Schneider has developed several homeland security innovations:

1) a simple saliva test that can be administered in less than 30 seconds to test over 50 drugs and even identify new street drug combinations. Results are 99.9 % accurate and can be delivered within 48 hours by using the latest technology with results that will stand up in courts. Samples can be preserved for over 10 years. Unlike other drug tests, the Schneider test uses the Liquid Chromatograph Spectomiter to accurately measure molecular weight. This procedure has been accepted as a "Gold Standard" by the American Society for Clinical Pathology. It is used for drug screening in general security checks for military, schools, court systems, clinics, employee screening, sports, law enforcement, sports, even in animal testing.  It is simple, non-invasive, clean, fast, accurate and economical. There’s no need for a lab tech or special mailing or preservations (as opposed to urine and blood testing.)

2) There is also a swipe drug test that detects drug residue on the skin, personal belongings, and surfaces. It tests for smoke particles, dust, plant material, etc remaining on surfaces.

3) Further, the swipe test can also detect explosives and plastics. 

Honorable Mention:

Dr. Sridhar Lakshmanan

M-Bots, Inc.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

M-Bots created technology that’s affordable to virtually every first responder.  M-Bots, Inc. has truly reversed the paradigm from “Can we afford this” to “Can we not afford this?”  Their first product, Sneaky ™, a remote-controlled robot with video and two-way audio, capable of control over the internet, and with the ability to carry multiple chemical, explosive and other sensors into potentially hazardous situations, will have an expected retail price of under $10,000.  The first production run will be available for sale in 2Q 2007.  These ultra-portable, quickly deployable and easily controllable units compliment much larger, complex and more expensive robotic solutions already in use by large SWAT, HAZMAT and other specialty teams.  The ability to gain quick, reliable information with Sneaky™, while waiting for arrival and setup of these larger systems, can significantly reduce the time required to make decisions, diffusing situations more quickly, less expensively, and most importantly, more safely by shielding human responders from potentially dangerous environments. M-Bots: No Human in Harm’s Way.  Dr. Sridhar Lakshmanan, co-founder of M-Bots, had the vision to fill this gap in the technology available to first responders.  Dr. Lakshmanan has authored numerous publications, is the recipient of an IEEE award for Best Paper in Intelligent Vehicle Technology, has been awarded several patents, and has influenced the direction of research among his peers.  His 15 years in robotic research at the University of Michigan, coupled with two years of extensive market research in unmet needs of military, law-enforcement and private security markets, resulted in the development of Sneaky™.  Dr. Lakshmanan, along with his co-founders Dr. Nattu Natarajan, Mr. Vin Varghese, and Mr. Dale Mayol, have set the new benchmark for robotic technology in first responder situations.

Entrepreneur Award

Winner:

Renae Wallace

RS Wallace Electric, Inc.

Kingsley, Michigan

As a businesswoman and entrepreneur, Renae Wallace is pushing her ideas into the Homeland Security arena. The Nightingale Infrared Lighting System™ Patent is designed to help and aide troops and pilots in combat training. Nightingale System is a Covert and Overt lighting method used to change Airport Aviation Lighting to a Infrared Lighting System, and/or Design to Built Airports that include the Control Tower, Drop Zones and all landing and take-off equipment on the field. This system is remote control and can easily turn any existing Airport into a Military Site or Training Zone. It provides the tools our troops need to fight and win in combat missions over sea. She aims to develop it in Michigan and set up a training camp in the Battle Creek Airport or Alpena CRTC. She’ll aims to have all Military Units train in Michigan on The Nightingale Infrared Lighting System.

Honorable Mention:

Timothy Daley

CrimeCog Technologies

Milford, Michigan

CrimeCog Technologies is a Milford, Michigan company that addresses the shocking homeland security fact that 75% of U.S. law enforcement agencies do not have adequate reporting or record management of their criminal justice operations.  CrimeCog’s solution is a proven, secure, integrated criminal justice records management system delivered inexpensively over the Internet. CrimeCog Technologies’ system is powered by a proven law enforcement records management system called E*Justice, which was developed and sold by Northrop-Grumman to run on mainframe computers in large municipalities. CrimeCog Technologies’ innovation was to successfully deliver the E*Justice program through secure Internet servers. CrimeCog is operating in several Calhoun County law enforcement agencies and the prosecutor’s office, connecting data seamlessly from all of them. CrimeCog is also running in several other agencies in Michigan and Texas.

CrimeCog capabilities that make it best in class:

·         Small departments can access a well-developed, secure records management system with no capital investment besides an Internet connection and a computer equipped with a web browser.

·         Police officers, prosecutors, court officials and jail managers can log onto a common system from any location with a secure Internet access to enter information or access records they need to investigate and track cases. Departments only pay a low monthly subscription fee.

·         CrimeCog eliminates costly and error-prone re-entering data as cases move through the criminal justice system.

·         Data is securely held off-site in a remote data warehouse, safe from fire, floods, storms or power outages.

·         Through CrimeCog, every subscriber has instant access to data from every other subscribing agency – throughout a county or the country. Every department controls its own data, but can see and search information collected by others.

There is no other product in this class that delivers so much for such a small investment per user.

Tim Daley is a visionary who pursued a homeland security breakthrough. Daley is chairman and CEO of CrimeCog Technologies, Inc. Daley was employed by TRW when it developed E*Justice, a complete criminal justice records management system that runs on mainframe computers. He left TRW when it was sold to Northrop Grumman, but returned to his old employer and purchased the right to deliver E*Justice over the Internet to small law enforcement agencies, courts and jail managers. Daley assembled a superb technical team to build the secure data warehouse and create the programming to successfully deliver the E*Justice system to any police officer equipped with a computer and an Internet connection.

First Responder Award

Winner:

Sgt. Steven Schneider

Oakland County Sheriff’s Office

Rochester Hills Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Sgt. Schneider is the perfect example of an individual dedicated to promoting Homeland Security goals in his department and the community.  He is a subject matter expert on terrorism and weapons of mass destruction and is always looking for ways to further his education in these matters.  He recently completed the FEMA Type 4 Incident Management Team training and is now a member of the Oakland County Incident Management Team. Sgt. Schneider is the Coordinator for the Rochester Hills Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).  Through his leadership and enthusiasm the CERT team logged 2,214 hours of volunteer time in 2006 serving the community.  Thanks to his efforts CERT board members have completed ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800 courses on line and all are CPR/First Aid Certified. He takes time from his very busy schedule to be available to answer questions for CERT board members and to research ways in which the Rochester Hills CERT Team can stay trained, active, and ready to respond in case of an emergency. Sgt. Schneider's focus on Homeland Security issues is keeping the city of Rochester Hills prepared in case of a disaster/emergency.

Honorable Mention:

Chief Michael Reaves

Utica Police Department

Chief Michael W. Reaves of the Utica Police Department not only has knowledge of homeland security, but more importantly, he has commitment and devotion to the community he serves.   Mike began with the department in 1979, as a dispatcher and rose through the ranks of patrolman, Sgt., Lt., Detective Lt., and in 2003 was promoted to Chief of Police. Reaves commitment to his community and his career also afforded him to be selected to attend the FBI National Academy in 2004. As Chief he instituted a community program known as an “eyes and ears” program.  Reaves started the program to get his department out and visible to the community they serve everyday. The goal of the program was to talk to the residents about crime prevention, identity theft, computer-related crimes, and regular law enforcement services.   Reaves and his department met with the community to talk about these topics, listen to their concerns, and answer their questions. “Without the help of our community, the quality of life for everyone in Utica will not be as good as we now enjoy it”, Reaves said. Chief Reaves ‘eyes and ears” program relates directly to his involvement of homeland security.  As homeland security is to prevent, detect, respond to and recover from incidents his community program recognizes that no only law enforcement but the entire community needs to be involved in order for homeland security to work in communities. As the department’s mission statement states “we are committed to maintaining a high quality of life in the community, striving for excellence in the ranks and to treating all persons with the utmost respect.” Chief Michael Reaves clearly posses the character, leadership, and commitment to his community by embracing this mission statement each and every day.

Education Award

Winner:

Dr. Daniel Shoemaker

University of Detroit - Mercy

Centre for Assurance Studies

Dan Shoemaker is the Director of the Centre for Assurance Studies, a National Security Agency (NSA) Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education at the University of Detroit Mercy. He is also a Professor at UDM and, he has been the Chair of the Computer and Information Systems Program within the College of Business Administration since 1985.  His Ph.D. is from the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor and he subsequently spent a career in various professional IS roles at that institution, as well as at Michigan State University. Dr. Shoemaker serves as an expert panelist on two national working groups within the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity Division. The most prominent of these is the Software Assurance Common Body of Knowledge (SWABOK). Dr. Shoemaker is an author and one of three domain editors for that document. He also serves on the Assurance Business Case Working Group. Dr. Shoemaker has written and lectured on cybersecurity and information assurance topics throughout the Eastern United States and Canada. He founded the International Cybersecurity Education Coalition (ICSEC), which is an NSA sponsored consortium of higher education institutions located in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. ICSEC’s mission is to extend and support the teaching of standard information assurance curricula within the Midwest. He is also a member of the Advisory Panel for Automation Alley, which is the State of Michigan’s Economic Development initiative in information security. Dr. Shoemaker is one of the earliest participants in the development of Software Engineering as a discipline, starting at SEI in the fall of 1987. His program is one of only six cited in the Software Engineering Institute’s 1994 survey of software engineering education programs in the country. He has taught software engineering related topics for almost twenty years, lectured, consulted and written extensively on that subject around the country. His two books in that area, “Engineering a Better Software Organization” and “GOT-IT Fine Tuning Your Software Organization” sold extensively to the U.S. Military as well as overseas. Dr. Shoemaker has been a formal U.S. partner of the British Standards Institution (BSI) since 1994 and he has worked with the recently released ISO/IEC 27000 International Standard Series for Information Security since it’s inception as BS7799 in 1995. In addition, Dr. Shoemaker is a designated Academic Advocate for the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) and he teaches COBIT based Sarbanes-Oxley audit to managers up and down the Detroit Three’s automotive supply chain in SE Michigan.

 

Honorable Mention:

Blue Marble Security

Michigan Technological University

Houghton, Michigan

MTU's Enterprise Program represents an innovative approach to education, whereby teams of students work in a multi-discplinary environment to effectively run a business.  Blue Marble Security is one such enterprise, whose mission is to 'secure the future through thoughtful use of technology...because we all live on the same blue marble'.  Students in Blue Marble have completed many industry and government sponsored projects related to homeland, energy, personal, and information security.  Examples include: concept development of a police vehicle threat alert system, and research and evaluation of omni-directional surveillance systems for military applications.  The team's efforts continue to increase homeland security awareness at perhaps the most influential level - tomorrow's technical and business leaders.


Out of the Box Award

David TenBrink

High Tech Industries

Holland, Michigan

He designed a product that is the first of its kind to deal with first response issues for rescue and property loss. He’s an entrepreneur in product design and development from prototype to production. He started the business 24 years ago. The product he’s designed is tested and is now ready for release to the public. It is a cover called a Hydrant Hat that covers a fire hydrant and for the first time deals with the ultimate performance of the hydrant by removing it from all of the weather related contaminates. It increases visability for location, decreases access time to 6 seconds in 28 inches of snow and enhances the overall sucess for a working fire hydrant when needed do to an emergency. It minimizes cost of maintenance expense and has many other options available to meet the requirements of all communities. Called the best product to help solve a very old problem affecting firemen everywhere. This product has an option which also makes the Hydrant "Tamper Resistant". It has an expected life of 25 years allowing municipalities on going reduction in maintenance costs.

Special Honor:

Frederick Grasman

Michigan Economic Development Corporation

For years of dedication to the economic development of Michigan’s Homeland Security industry.