Grant from Lockheed Martin Supports OSIX Program
A grant from Lockheed Martin Corporation, IS&GS National will support Fairmont State University’s Open Source Intelligence Exchange (OSIX), which is the laboratory and applied research component of the National Security and Intelligence (NSI) program.
On Monday, Feb. 4, Lockheed Martin, IS&GS National Vice President Jason O’Connor visited the main campus to present FSU President Maria Rose with the $15,000 grant, which is reflective of the partnership between Lockheed Martin and the University. Also in attendance for the presentation were the following representatives of Lockheed Martin: Keith Johnson, Chief Technology Officer; Michael Bourcier, Human Resources Director; Andy Armstrong, Capture Excellence; and Deb Hrab, Business Development.
“Lockheed Martin National is excited to partner with Fairmont State University. This partnership will enhance our open source capabilities and advance our analytic solutions for our customers,” O’Connor said.
The grant from Lockheed Martin will be used to secure matching funds for the “Bucks for Brains” grant Fairmont State previously received from the West Virginia Research Trust Fund in support of OSIX. The NSI program, the only one of its kind in West Virginia, provides the necessary background for students to pursue careers as research or intelligence analysts in government agencies and private enterprise. NSI students are handpicked and rigorously screened to participate in OSIX. As part of OSIX, student-analysts prepare and present briefings for local, state and federal law enforcement and security intelligence agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Lockheed Martin is actively working with Fairmont State providing internships, mentoring opportunities, workshops and speaking engagements featuring leaders within Lockheed Martin to benefit the entire campus community.
“Innovative programs such as the Open Source Intelligence Exchange help to position Fairmont State to develop meaningful partnerships within the corporate community,” Rose said. “We greatly appreciate the support and the confidence that Lockheed Martin has placed in our University, our faculty and our students. We look forward to working together for many years to come.”
In January 2013, Lockheed Martin provided the OSIX lab access to LM Wisdom™ software to aid the OSIX student-analysts, who use open sources such as discussion boards, chatrooms and social media to identify and assess national security and law enforcement threats. In addition to using the LM Wisdom™ software in their current research, students also will provide feedback regarding future enhancements.
“We are extremely grateful to Lockheed Martin Corporation for its generosity and its ongoing support of the Open Source Intelligence Exchange. This relationship will significantly enhance our ability to provide our students with a rich learning environment,” said OSIX Director David Abruzzino.
Additional partnership activities are being planned for the upcoming months, including a Lockheed Martin Career Day on Fairmont State’s campus in March and a speaking program in the spring featuring Lockheed Martin’s president of Analysis and Missions Solutions, Tim Reardon.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. For more information about Lockheed Martin, visit http://www.lockheedmartin.com/.
For more information about OSIX or the NSI program, visit www.fairmontstate.edu or contact Director OSIX David Abruzzino at david.abruzzino@osixonline.org. For more information on how to support the matching grant, contact Dr. Fred Fidura, Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement, at ffidura@fairmontstate.edu. To view a video about the OSIX program, visit http://www.fairmontstate.edu/fsunow/videos/osix-open-source-intelligence-exchange.
About the photo: Pictured from left to right are OSIX Director David Abruzzino; Lockheed Martin, IS&GS National Vice President Jason O’Connor; FSU President Maria Rose; and FSU Vice President for Institutional Advancement Fred Fidura.
David AbruzzinoMaria RoseOpen Source Intelligence ExchangeNational Security and IntelligenceLockheed MartinJason O'ConnorKeith JohnsonMichael BourcierAndy ArmstrongDeb Hrab
