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Michael T. Reilly
Battalion Chief
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, Hazardous Materials and Fire Investigations Section
Michael T. Reilly is a 31-year veteran of the Fire Service. The last 29 years he has been with the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, which has 1400 career and 230 volunteer members. The department responds to an average of 100,000 calls annually and protects 406 square miles. Chief Reilly is the Virginia State Governor’s appointed representative to the Virginia Fire Services Board representing the International Assoc. of Arson Investigators, Va. Chapter. Currently, Mr. Reilly is a Battalion Chief in the Hazardous Materials and Fire Investigations Section. This includes arson, bombings, explosives, environmental crimes, Local Emergency Planning Committee along with the Haz-Mat Technical Support, and Fire Investigations Branch of the Fire Marshal’s office. Prior to this, Battalion Chief Reilly was a Field Battalion Chief in charge of the daily operations of seven stations. He was the Fire Station Captain, in charge of a Technical Rescue Specialty Station and was the Executive Officer of the Departments Honor Guard & Ceremonial Unit. He is certified in Emergency Medical Services and has been a certified Paramedic since 1981. He is the past Director of the Life Safety Education Section, which coordinates all public information and media releases, as well as, all the Fire & Rescue Departments Life Safety Education Programs.
Chief Reilly is a Safety Officer with the Departments FEMA/OFDA sponsored U.S. Urban Search And Rescue Team and the Departments Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM), He took part in the 1988 Soviet Armenia earthquake, the 1990 Philippine earthquake, the 1992 Hurricane Andrew, the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing missions, the 1996 Centennial Olympics, and the most recently was the mission safety officer for the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, and the earthquakes which occurred in Turkey and Taiwan in 1999. More recently Chief Reilly was involved in the rescue response to the Pentagon after the recent terrorist attack. Following that he was called into active duty as a special agent with the Coast Guard Investigative Service providing protection to the Commandant.
Chief Reilly has been the lead instructor with organizations including the U.S. State Department, FEMA’s Disaster Strike Team the Mobile Emergency Response Support Teams (MERS); The Royal Saudi Military Police Academy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; the Kuwaiti Oil Company in Kuwait City; the Louisiana State Fireman’s Convention; The Tennessee Rescue Squad Management Seminar, The Tennessee Fire Chiefs Assoc. Convention and the National Association of Counties Convention (NACO). He was also the keynote speaker at the Ohio State Fireman’s Association in 1994. Mr. Reilly has recently assisted the International Association of Fire Chiefs with The First Worldwide Conference on Strengthening the Fire and Emergency Response to Terrorism held at FEMA’s Mt. Weather Emergency Assistance Center. Presentations from seven different countries as well as numerous Federal Agencies were conducted. In addition Chief Reilly consults with area medical institutions conducting disaster management training seminars and emergency response to such events as mass casualty incidents, fires, chemical emergencies, physical violence in the work place and evacuations.
Mr. Reilly is a graduate of the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy and is sworn both as a Fire Marshal and a federal agent assigned to the Washington Field Office as a U.S. Special Agent for the United States Coast Guard Reserves. His duties include arson investigations, criminal investigations, and background security checks for the issuance of clearances and dignitary protection details for the United States Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard. He holds the rank of Chief Warrant Officer in the USCG-Active Reserves with 20 years experience.
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Leonard M. Pomata
Chairman & CEO
GITIS
Mr. Pomata has over thirty-five years of progressive management experience in engineering and Information system development for Public and Private sector customers. In a leadership role has held senior management positions with major corporations and achieved continued profitable revenue growth through the development of new business and effective organizations.
Past President of PRC, Inc. a subsidiary of Litton Industries. In this role he effected major changes in business operations and marketing organization to address the changes in government marketplace and the expansion of commercial market. Mr. Pomata was responsible for overseeing the growth of PRC to over $900M and 6000 employees. During his 18 years at PRC he was part of the leadership team responsible for PRC achieving top 10 position in all government systems integration markets. He was instrumental in transforming PRC’s internal business and customer businesses to Internet enabled environments, conversions to new IT infrastructures and providing ERP and Value added solutions.
Mr. Pomata has held leadership positions with major corporations in the IT industry including:
- President, webMethods, Inc, Government Business Unit
- Senior Vice President, Oracle Corporation
- Operations director Computer Sciences Corporation
- Site Manager and engineering, AT&T Bell Laboratories/Western Electric
Mr. Pomata holds BS in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and a MS in Electrical Engineering/Computer Sciences from New York University Professional Affiliations:
- AFCEA-President, Washington Chapter 1999-2000
- AFCEA International Board 2000-Present
- Electronic Industries Alliance-Board of Governors 1996-2000
- Professional Services Council-Vice Chairman and Board of Directors 1998-1999
- George Mason University -Board of Visitor Appointment by Governor 1998-2006
- Virginia Governors’ Commission on Information Technology- Member 1998
- Appointment to Virginia Security and Preparedness Panel 2001
- VA Information Technology Investment Board- 2003-present
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Hugh E. Montgomery, Jr.
Executive Director
Institute for Defense and Homeland Security
Mr. Montgomery began 1 July 2003 as the founding Executive Director of the Institute for Defense and Homeland Security, with special emphasis on telecommunications, biodefense, sensor systems, risk management, remote presense, crisis management and energy independence Science and Technology (S&T). He serves in an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment from the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, where he is a Senior Fellow. He serves as a member of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Energy Strategy. He has focused his efforts on two strategic goals: (1) national energy independence; and (2) reinvigoration of the national Science and Technology base and Research and Development (R&D) infrastructure.
Mr. Montgomery served from 2001-2003 as the first technical director of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, with broad oversight of USMC initiatives in technology development and transition, warfighting experiments, wargaming and emerging threats and opportunities. He was the senior Marine Corps civilian official for oversight and assessment of the $100M USMC S&T program investment.
Mr. Montgomery served from 1985-2001 on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). He was the Department of Navy (DON) senior career civilian for Science and Technology requirements and resources and Resource Sponsor for the programs executed by the Office of Naval Research. Responsibilities included Naval S&T requirements development, strategic planning, progream guidance, policy, investment strategy and program assessment for the $2.5B account. He was creator of the concept of Advanced Technology Demonstrations (ATDs) for technology transition and an architect of the current Future Naval Capabilities planning process. He was instrumental in expanding the Naval ATD concept into Department of Defense Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations (ACTDs). He served as the DON principal career official for S&T program interface and program justification to DOD and Congress.
Mr. Montgomery served from 1980-84 in the Office of Naval Technology. As Director of Planning and Programming, he developed the first Planning, Programming and Budgeting System and the first strategic plan for Naval Applied Research. As the first DON Industry Independent Research and Development (IR&D) manager, he created and managed the system for oversight and assessment of the multi-billion dollar industry investment. Earlier career assignments include: Director of Research, Naval Sea Systems Command; Deputy Director, Explosives Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC); Head Technology Branch, NSWC; Research Physicist, NSWC.
Mr. Montgomery received a B.S. Degree in Physics and Mathematics from Mississippi College, graduating first in the Class of 1966 with a 4.0 GPA. He received an M.S. Degree in Physics in 1969 at the University of Tennessee. His Ph.D. was completed but not formally awarded, after two dissertation topics each became classified.
Mr. Montgomery lectures frequently on national and international Science and Technology policy. He has published and lectured extensively as an authority in reactive incendiary materials, explosives and DOD Research and Development.
Mr. Montgomery is the only person to twice receive the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Navy’s highest civilian award. He has received also the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award (second-highest award), Presidential Meritorious Executive Award, Secretary of Defense Commendation and numerous Senior Executive Service performance awards. His biography has appeared in “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who in the World.” He holds six technical patents.
Active in his community, Mr. Montgomery is experienced in transportation, land use and regional development issues. A certified planner, he serves currently on the Spotsylvania County Planning Commission and Spotsylvania County Transportation Committee. He was appointed by the Governor in December 2006 to serve as a member of the Virginia Transportation Accountability Commission. An active member of the Ferry Farm Baptist Church, he is a deacon, choir member, musician and teacher. He conducts a Christian music ministry in the area as a singer and musician. He an his wife Mitzie have been married since 1966 and have two daughters, Melinda Montgomery-Wiegers (Deputy Director for Investment, Office of Director, Defense Research and Engineering) and LCDR Michelle Montgomery Pettit, JAG, USN, and grandchildren Katie and Jackson Wiegers and Andrew and Lauren Pettit.
As IDHS executive director, Mr. Montgomery is the senior executive responsible for all aspects of IDHS operations and serves as a member of the IDHS executive committee.
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Christopher Miles
Department of Homeland Security,
Directorate for Science and Technology
Christopher (Chris) Miles has twenty years experience working with a wide variety of biometric, sensor, surveillance, display and weapons technologies. He is a graduate of George Mason University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics and Computer Engineering. Chris currently works with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Directorate for Science and Technology and has previously worked for the National Institute of Justice at the Department of Justice and the U.S. Army’s Night Vision Laboratory. He is married to Susan Miles, who also graduated from GMU’s engineering program, and he enjoys scuba diving and working with college students through his church.
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Robert P. Crouch, Jr.
Assistant to the Governor
Office of Commonwealth Preparedness
Mr. Crouch is currently a member of the Administration of Governor Timothy M. Kaine serving in the role of Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness. In this position he coordinates Commonwealth strategy and initiatives related to all-hazards preparedness. His scope of participation includes:
- Department of Homeland Security point of contact for the Commonwealth
- Member, Senior Policy Group of the National Capital Region
- Chair, Secure Commonwealth Panel
- Vice-chair, Virginia Military Advisory Committee
- Vice-president, All Hazard Consortium Board
- Member, Virginia Fusion Center Executive Board
- Co-chair, Commonwealth Preparedness Working Group
- Member, Virginia Citizen-Soldier Support Council
- Member, National Governor’s Association Homeland Security Advisors’ Council
Prior to his role with the Kaine Administration Mr. Crouch served as Legal Counsel to Governor Mark R. Warner. He also served in Governor Warner’s Administration as Chief Deputy Secretary of Public Safety (during which time he served as co-chair of the Commonwealth Preparedness Working Group; co-chair, Critical Infrastructure Protection Working Group; chair, Virginia Citizen-Soldier Support Council; chair, Interagency Anti-Gang Working Group).
In the years leading up to public service in the Warner and Kaine Administrations, Mr. Crouch served as United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. He also maintained a private practice of law in Charlottesville and Martinsville after serving as Clerk of the Circuit Court for Henry County.
Mr. Crouch is a former member of the Board of Visitors at George Mason University. He is also a former member and chairman of the Virginia State Community College Board. Mr. Crouch is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
Mr. Crouch holds a BA in Government from the University of Maryland, a MPA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a JD from the University of Virginia.
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Brigadier General
Creighton W. Abrams, Jr. USA (Ret.)
Executive Director
Army Historical Foundation
Brigadier General Creighton W. Abrams, Jr. USA (Ret.), served 31 years in the U.S. Army. Commissioned in the field artillery, he commanded two batteries, a battalion, a division artillery, and a corps artillery—and served in Korea, Vietnam, Germany, SW Asia, and Italy. He taught gunnery at Fort Sill, OK, English at West Point, NY, corresponding studies at the Army War College, and a staff group in the Combined Arms and Services Staff School (CAS3), Fort Leavenworth, KS, where he was the Director for 3 years. He served on the Army staff at the Pentagon and on the NATO staff at Allied Forces, Southern Europe. After retirement he worked for General Dynamics Land Systems in Saudi Arabia (4 _ years) and is currently the Executive Director of the Army Historical Foundation (since 2000). He has a B.A. in English (Princeton Univ.), an M.A. in English (Univ. of North Carolina), and a Masters in Military Art & Science (Command and General Staff College). He and his wife Joan have 6 children.
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L. Scott Lingamfelter
President
Commonwealth Homeland Security Foundation
L. Scott Lingamfelter, President of the Commonwealth Homeland Security Foundation (CHSF), is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and a current member of the Virginia House of Delegates of the Virginia General Assembly. In 2007, Delegate Lingamfelter joined the Abrams Learning and Information Systems, Inc. (ALIS to head the support effort to the CHSF. Previously, he provided strategic planning and thought leadership support to the senior leadership for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency in Washington, D.C.
Raised in Richmond, Virginia he attended the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington Virginia where he earned a B.A. degree in History in 1973. After finishing VMI as a Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG), he was commissioned in the Regular Army of the United States and began a career as a Field Artilleryman.
In 1979, the US Army awarded him a full academic scholarship to the University of Virginia where he earned a Master of Arts in Government and Foreign Affairs in 1981. After many assignments around the world during war and peace, he rose to the rank of Colonel. His last military assignment in the Army was as Military Assistant to the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Armed Forces Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College where he served as class president. He retired on June 1st, 2001, after 28 years of active duty service.
Among his numerous awards and decorations are the Defense Superior Service Medal; two Legions of Merit; the Bronze Star Medal; two Defense Meritorious Service Medals; four Meritorious Service Medals; three Joint Service Commendation Medals; the Army Commendation Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with battle star; the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three battle stars; the Kuwait Liberation Medal; the Saudi-Kuwaiti Liberation Medal; and the United Nations Service Medal.
Delegate Lingamfelter was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2001 representing Prince William and Fauquier Counties. An adherent to the Founders’ vision of constitutional and conservative government, Delegate Lingamfelter is a voice for both social and fiscal conservatism in the General Assembly.
Delegate Lingamfelter is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Education Committee, and Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee, where he has distinguished himself as a clear-headed spokesman for fiscal responsibility, education reform, and public safety and security.
Delegate Lingamfelter is married to the former Shelley Glick of Bridgewater, Virginia. They have three children: Amy, currently in Christian mission work, John, a 1st Classman at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and AFROTC student; and Paul, a freshman attending Christopher Newport University. The Lingamfelter family attends Christ Our Lord Anglican Church.
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J. Thomas Hennessey, Jr. Ph.D.
Chief of Staff
Office of the President,
George Mason University
Dr. Hennessey is a career professional with more than thirty years of progressively responsible leadership and management experience in public service, University administration, organizational research, and the classroom. He received his bachelor’s degree in English and History and his Masters of Public Administration from Eastern Kentucky University. He was one of the first doctoral graduates of the Institute of Public Policy, now the School of Public Policy, at George Mason University.
As the Chief of Staff, Dr. Hennessey is responsible for all administration in the Office of the President, serves as the University legislative liaison to the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, University Liaison to the Board of Visitors, and chairs multiple University wide committees, including the Privacy and Security Compliance Team and Crisis Management Response Committee.
His research and teaching center on public service, management of change in public organizations, and organizational theory. He has written and taught extensively on the “Reinvention of Government. Since joining the faculty at George Mason he has been Grant Recipient, PriceWaterhouseCoopers Endowment for the Business of Government, Principle Investigator to the Governor’s Task Force on Procurement Assessment, Principle Investigator, Department of General Services and Department of Juvenile Justice, Commonwealth of Virginia, Strategic Planning and Performance Measure Management. National Council Member, Region IV, American Society for Public Administration. 1998-2002. Chairman, American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Regions III/IV, Program Director, Cooperative Research on High Performing Organizations, Prince William County, Virginia. On behalf of the University he has served as Director, Excellence in Government Program, Acting Executive Director, The Northern Virginia Business Roundtable, Executive Director, Congressional Institute for the Future, and Program Director, Lead the Future. He currently serves as Chair-Elect of the Virginia Economic Bridge. At the University, Dr. Hennessey has been twice recognized, in 2001-2002 and 2003-2004, as the “Administrator of the Year” by Student Government.
Prior to joining George Mason University, Dr. Hennessey served with the United States Army for 28 years in successively responsible leadership positions and retired as a Colonel from the Army’s Intelligence and Security Command. His most recent assignments included Deputy Chief of Staff, US Army Intelligence and Security Command, Chief, European Division. Political-Military Affairs, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and US Military Attaché, American Embassy London, United Kingdom. His military assignments include combat command and staff positions from platoon through theater from Vietnam to the Middle East. His decorations and awards include the Silver Star, two awards of the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Star awards, two Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Joint Service Identification Badge, and the Parachutist badge.
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George W. Foresman
Former Under Secretary of Preparedness
Department of Homeland Security
George Foresman was confirmed by the United States Senate in December 2005 as America’s first Under Secretary of Preparedness at the Department of Homeland Security. On March 31, 2007 he became the first Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs at DHS. In these roles, Foresman has led a comprehensive effort to harmonize the Nation’s preparedness towards integrated capabilities for prevention, protection, and response. He has also has worked closely with a wide array of state and local elected officials and leading business CEO’s to focus on risk management and reduction in securing our nation’s homeland.
Under his leadership, DHS has made major advancements in the areas of private and public sector infrastructure protection, communications interoperability, cyber and chemical security, information sharing and its multi-billion dollar grant programs. Foresman is Manager of the National Communications System, which sets priorities for national contingency telecommunications. Foresman has overseen major DHS initiatives including; the development and implementation of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan and it’s supporting 17 Sector specific plans, preparing the first ever national assessments of America’s preparedness as well as interoperability capabilities, strengthening bombing prevention efforts and overseeing the Department’s efforts to implement the lesson learned findings from Hurricane Katrina, including co-Chairing the Department’s update of the National Response Plan.
As a part of Secretary Michael Chertoff’s leadership team, Foresman is a strategic visionary and transformational manager. His nearly quarter-century of experience ranging from front line operations to executive leadership positions brings an instrumental element to the work of the DHS leadership team in formulating a collaborative approach to securing America against the full range of 21st century risks.
Prior to his appointment to the Department of Homeland Security, Foresman had extensive experience in homeland security and emergency response and preparedness. He served as Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness and as Homeland Security Advisor, a cabinet level position in the Administration of Governor Mark Warner. He acted as chief liaison with the White House, the military, Congress, other local governments and the private sector in this capacity. Foresman also chaired the Secure Commonwealth Panel and led the Governor’s initiative responsible for strengthening Virginia’s security and preparedness for emergencies and disasters of all kinds, including terrorism.
Foresman is nationally recognized in the fields of emergency preparedness and homeland security. He was a member and vice-chair of the Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities Involving Terrorism “the Gilmore Commission”, established by Congress in 1998 to evaluate America’s readiness for terrorism. The panel delivered five annual reports to the Congress and President before completing its work in December 2003. More than 146 of the Panel’s 164 recommendations have been adopted in part or whole.
A native of Lexington, Virginia, Foresman began his public safety career as a responder in 1979 and joined Virginia state government in 1985. Throughout his more than 22 years in the field of homeland security and emergency management, he has dedicated himself to protecting the public through activities ranging from serving on the front lines of response to creating and implementing policy at the state and federal levels.
Mr. Foresman is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, as well as the Virginia Executive Institute.
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View and Download Documents
These are the key documents relating to the formation and management of the GLRHSF available for review and download. Please click the following links to view the corresponding document:
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Links to Important Websites:
- ALIS, Inc.
- Commonwealth of Virginia
- George Mason University
- George Mason University Foundation, Inc.
- Office of Commonwealth Preparedness
- Office of Commonwealth Preparedness/Links of Interest
- Official Site of the Governor of Virginia
- Virginia Department of Emergency Management
- Virginia Higher Education Preparedness Consortium
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Contact CHSF
Address and phone:
Commonwealth Homeland Security Foundation (CHSF Headquarters)
2800 Shirlington Road, Ste 1100
Arlington, VA 22206
Email: chsf@hsfva.org
Office: 703.740.5699
Toll Free: 1.866.520.2473 (1.866.520.CHSF)
Fax: 703.379.4534
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Recent News About CHSF
May 31, 2008 Op Ed in Richmond Times-Dispatch
Lingamfelter column in Richmond Times-DispatchThe Richmond Times-Dispatch published a column by CHSF President L. Scott Lingamfelter titled, “Let’s Secure Virginia Before the Next Tragedy”. In the article Lingamfelter states, “The sad reality is that depending on federal, state, and local governments alone to swoop in to save the day won’t work. Despite their commitment to the welfare of their communities, they cannot address the complexities and scope of the problem adequately. The answer lies in a new model.” The column was also published in the newspaper’s online entity, InRich.com. Click here to see the full article online or click this link to see a PDF of the online article (268k PDF document).
February 17, 2008 news in Richmond Times-Dispatch
Richmond Times-Dispatch Richmond Times-Dispatch recognizes CHSF as solution to campus security resource issues. In an article by Michael Martz in the February 17 issue titled, “Steps to improve campus security” many challenges are defined. Martz cites CHSF as one of the few solutions for these ongoing challenges. Click here to see a PDF version of the article (44k PDF document) and click this to see the article at the InRich.com website.
CHSF One of the First, says VHEPC
VHEPC CHSF is highlighted by the Virginia Higher Education Preparedness Consortium with an article in their What’s New section of the website home page. The VHEPC describes CHSF as “One of the first of its kind in the nation” and mentions the CHSF close relationship with George Mason University. Click here to visit the VHEPC website.
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Making Charitable Contributions
The Commonwealth Homeland Security Foundation will gather funds from individuals, foundations, and corporations throughout Virginia with the purpose of allowing tax-advantaged giving for programs, research and applied technologies in emergency preparedness. As a founding sponsor of the CHSF, George Mason University has facilitated the establishment of the Foundation by arranging for the use of the George Mason University Foundation, Inc. as a repository for CHSF funds. This arrangement requires any check be made payable to GMUF rather than to CHSF directly. The CHSF will coordinate its efforts with state and local governments and colleague academic institutions and will be advised in this process by Abrams Learning and Information Systems, Inc.
Contribute By Check
If you are interested in making a tax deductible contribution by check, please make out a check payable to the George Mason University Foundation Inc., annotated to the Commonwealth Homeland Security Foundation, and mail it along with this Contribution Form (click here to download the 236k PDF document) to the following address:
George Mason University Foundation, Inc.
Attn: Tracy White
4400 University Drive
MSN 1A3
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contribute Online
If you are interested in donating online through a secure credit card form, please click here to view the online form on the George Mason University Foundation Inc.’s website. Under “Donation Allocation” select the “Other Established Fund” box and type in “Commonwealth Homeland Security Foundation.” If you do not receive acknowledgement of your gift within two weeks, please contact CHSF directly.
If you need additional information, please email us at chsf@hsfva.org or call 703.740.5699
or try our toll free number: 1.866.520.2473 (1.866.520.CHSF).
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Initial Grant Opportunity
The initial grants will be limited to the six public research and doctoral institutions of the Commonwealth of Virginia in order to permit them to address priority campus readiness requirements across the Commonwealth. The CHSF Board of Directors, with recommendations from CHSF Advisory Panel and other industry stakeholders, are in the process of reviewing requirements determination and refining the full grant procedures for the initial grant, which will be posted to this site once approved. The intent is for the grant to be awarded in the fall of 2008.
Future Grant Opportunities
Future grant opportunities and procedures will operate in a slightly different manner than the initial opportunity and may be available to a broader group of higher education institutions. The future grant procedure will be posted when new funding opportunities arise.
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Initial Foundation Focus:
Campus Security and Readiness
The CHSF is a Virginia not-for-profit corporation with the goal of improving security and readiness in the Commonwealth of Virginia through directed research and grants. The CHSF is poised to begin its first project focused on Campus Security and Readiness. The vision for the project is to elevate security and readiness both at the K-12 and University level to include analysis and improvement of threat identification, detection, and neutralization; student evacuation and reunification with guardians; and continuity of education.
This idea for this project, identified in association with Governor Tim Kaine’s Executive Order 44: Establishing Preparedness Initiatives in State Government, was refined in close association with the Governor’s Office of Commonwealth Preparedness (OCP). The Director of OCP authorized this project as an appropriate initial effort given the high priority of campus security, readiness, and response. He further agreed with the proposal that CHSF make its initial goal to solicit funds up to $10,000,000 to support research and grants for the first year.
Beyond this specific project, participation will broaden in the Foundation as soon as possible to include the higher education community in Virginia and other major stakeholders already working on this issue.
Additional Priorities
Continuity of Critical Infrastructure Operation
- Objectives
- Protection and preemption
- Corporate resiliency—recovery, reconstitution
- Areas of Interest
- Power production and distribution
- Water supply safety and security
- Port security
- Communications data storage and security
- Fuel storage and distribution
- Food production, storage, and distribution
Transportation Network Security and Evacuation Management
- Threat identification, detection, and neutralization
- Traffic evaluation
- Support infrastructure—food/fuel/medical supplies
High Population/High Density Commercial Venue Security
- Retail
- Malls
- Restaurants
- Grocery Outlets
- Sports and recreation
- Stadiums
- Theatres
- Parks
- Museums
- Tourist Sites
- Large Commercial Venues
- Business Centers
- Industrial Parks
- Mass Transit
State and Local Government Command and Control During All-Hazard Events
- Training simulation and analysis tool
- Planning
- Lessons-learned feedback
- Real-time situational awareness and operations
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Making Virginia More Secure
The Commonwealth Homeland Security Foundation (CHSF) is a project of George Mason University and Abrams Learning and Information Systems, Inc. (ALIS) designed to provide private sector funding to make Virginia more secure. Overall policy and strategic direction of CHSF comes from the Foundation’s Board of Directors. ALIS provides day-to-day management services, fundraising, and staff support. For additional detail about management of the Foundation please click the following links:
Commonwealth Homeland Security Foundation
A Virginia not-for-profit corporation with the goal of improving security and preparedness in the Commonwealth of Virginia through directed research and grants. CHSF is approved for IRS 501 (c) (3) tax exemption status, and has been established with cooperation from George Mason University.
Abrams Learning and Information Systems, Inc.
A leading provider of expertise in the field of homeland security and emergency preparedness, the company is based in Arlington, Virginia. It formulated the concept of the new foundation and will assist the University and its Foundation with well-defined operational activities.
Guiding Principles
The two initial organizers of the foundation, George Mason University and ALIS, Inc., will have perpetual membership on the Board of Directors and will collaborate on all policy decisions affecting the foundation.
George Mason University Foundation, Inc. will act as fiscal agent for receipt and disbursement of funds and manage the investment of any fund surpluses that may exist from time to time.
CHSF Board of Directors
Chairman, CHSF Board: J. Thomas Hennessey, Jr.
President : L. Scott Lingamfelter
Board of Directors: The Board of Directors also includes the following representatives:
- Army Brigadier General (ret) Creighton Abrams
- Mr. Robert Crouch
- Mr. George Foresman
- Mr. Christopher Miles
- Mr. Hugh Montgomery
- Mr. Leonard Pomata
- Mr. Michael T. Reilly
Click any of the above names to read more information about each member of the Board of Directors.
Advisory Panel
The Advisory Panel is comprised of representatives from the research departments of the major doctoral research institutions in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Panel will provide oversight and technical expertise in the areas of grant allocation and management. Representation includes the following institutions:
- College of William and Mary
- George Mason University
- Old Dominion University
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Tech
- University of Virginia
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Three Guiding Principles
The Foundation is guided by a specific Mission, Vision and Purpose. The following details help define these three guiding principles:
Mission
To make the Commonwealth of Virginia more secure through innovative public-private collaboration in homeland security research and development in partnership with Virginia universities. Consistent with the Governor’s objectives to secure the Commonwealth, the Foundation will leverage civic engagement, effective philanthropy, public awareness, and academic programs to elevate preparedness throughout the state.
Vision
Virginia will lead the nation in a new direction for finding resources for homeland security through the establishment of a foundation affiliated with George Mason University. This program will allow individuals and corporations to contribute to the foundation, which will in-turn fund projects to make the Commonwealth more secure. Other universities within Virginia will be invited to participate in areas where they have the expertise and desire to coordinate efforts. Over the next 10-20 years, this foundation will raise millions of dollars and provide the resources, scholarly research, technological focus and sustainable continuity to Virginia’s emergency preparedness programs.
CHSF Purpose
To pursue the following activities:
- To supplement existing education and training programs which promote a deeper understanding and guidance to current needs and problems associated with research to homeland security related defense applications within the United States and its territories to improve our nation’s emergency preparedness.
- To promote and support scholarly research, grants, seminars, and projects in all relevant areas of homeland security as may be required on state, regional and national levels.
- To solicit donations from private individuals, corporations, and private entities, and dispense grants and funds in support of the above listed activities.
- To promote, counsel, and advise other organizations committed to similar goals. (However, no part of the resources or programs of the Foundation shall be devoted to the promulgation or support of legislation.)
- To promote and assist George Mason University and other institutions of higher education within the Commonwealth of Virginia, both public and private, in various homeland security studies and actions to include comprehensive training and certification programs.
- To provide emergency relief assistance to Virginians adversely affected by disaster.
- In general, to carry on any other businesses connected with or incidental to the foregoing objects and purposes, and to have and exercise all the power conferred by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia or required to be stated in the Articles of Incorporation.
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Improving Security and Preparedness
The Commonwealth Homeland Security Foundation (CHSF) is a Virginia not-for-profit corporation with the goal of improving security and preparedness in the Commonwealth of Virginia through directed research and grants. The CHSF is designed to provide private sector funding, from individuals and corporations, for projects in Virginia that are compelling state needs but not currently funded through public financial support.
Foundation Overview
Higher education can make a new and very significant contribution to the nation’s goal of a more secure America by extending its reach beyond the campus to the community. It begins by recognizing that the traditional university roles of teaching, research and public service can be combined and accomplished through a foundation dedicated to homeland security in Virginia.
The Need for a Commonwealth Homeland Security Foundation
Like most jurisdictions, the Commonwealth of Virginia has primarily relied on the national government for funding homeland security priorities. While those resources have been welcome, the results still fall somewhat short of desired outcomes.
An overlooked potential source for increased support for homeland security initiatives can be found among the citizens and corporations of the Commonwealth who have not been given a chance to make direct and personal contributions to the effort. This untapped giving capacity within Virginia represents a significant pool of resources, especially when coupled with the tax advantages and reputation a university foundation can provide.
The higher education community in Virginia is especially robust and comprehensive when compared to other states. Many institutions have developed academic programs in the homeland security area and created other opportunities to fulfill their public service mission with seminars and conferences. Yet, the efforts are fragmented and generally lack sufficient funding to attain maximum effectiveness. Even so, universities continue to represent the best way forward to address this set of emerging security problems if they can find a specific focus to their activities.
In summary, there is a need for a new mechanism within higher education in Virginia that will provide public-private collaboration for increased funding for homeland security projects. That mechanism is the Commonwealth Homeland Security Foundation at George Mason University.
