As part of Maryland Military Installation Council, advisory group will play key role in state’s efforts to protect military installations
Baltimore, Md. (May 11, 2016) – The Maryland Military Installation Council (MMIC) has formed a BRAC Advisory Group that will focus on threats and opportunities associated with uncertainties in the defense budget, as well as the probability of future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions. Commerce Secretary Mike Gill, who chairs the MMIC, authorized the group and named 12 founding members.
“Military commands in our state are crucial to homeland security, chemical and biological research, cybersecurity, aerospace, and aviation,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “The installations also contribute more than $57 billion to Maryland’s economy. In anticipation of future BRAC initiatives, Maryland is shoring up its defense of military installations throughout the state. The BRAC Advisory Group is the first of many steps to address the challenges and opportunities of pending DoD actions and ensure that Maryland retains its prominent role in the defense of the nation.”
“Community partnerships played key roles in supporting and protecting our military installations in the 2005 BRAC initiative and other actions that brought new responsibilities and more than 100,000 jobs to Maryland,” said Secretary Gill. “The new BRAC Advisory Group will interact with the communities surrounding our bases, working toward the common goal of ensuring that the defense organizations – and the more than 400,000 Marylanders working for and associated with the DoD – remain here in Maryland.”
Chaired by BGen. Mike Hayes, USMC (Ret.), managing director of the Office of Military and Federal Affairs in the state’s Commerce Department, the BRAC Advisory Group comprises elected officials, retired general officers, retired senior executive service officials, and regional defense experts:
- Col. John C. Astle, USMC (Ret.), Maryland State Senator
- BGen. Sean Casey, MDNG, Assistant Adjutant General-Joint and Director of the Joint Staff, Maryland National Guard
- BGen. Dean Ertwine, USA (Ret.), Assistant Director, Office of Military and Federal Affairs
- James R. Estepp, Director of Operations, Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable, Andrews Business & Community Alliance
- Dr. Frazier Glenn, former Principal Assistant for Research and Technology of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Fort Detrick; former SES
- Jennifer McGraw, former Strategic Communications, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division
- Michael Parker, President, Northeast Maryland Technology Council; former SES
- George R. Schlossberg, Partner, Kutak Rock LLP; Chair of the firm’s Federal Practice and National Security Law Group; and General Counsel to the Association of Defense Communities
- Sally Young Jameson, Maryland State Delegate
- Deon Viergutz, Vice President of Cyber Solutions, Lockheed Martin, and former President, Fort Meade Alliance
- Captain Glen Ives, USN (Ret.), COO, Sabre Systems Inc.; former president, Southern Maryland Navy Alliance; former Commander, Naval Air Station Patuxent River
With the mission of protecting Maryland’s military installations, the BRAC Advisory Group will advocate for the bases and commands, act as conduits for information and resources, and serve as liaisons between Maryland’s congressional delegation, the Maryland General Assembly, and the state’s military alliances.
“Maryland emerged from the 2005 BRAC round as a major winner thanks to unprecedented collaboration between all levels of government and the private industry,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger. “The responsibilities of Maryland’s installations will continue to grow – intelligence and cybersecurity at Fort Meade, research and development at Aberdeen Proving Ground, and medical care and research at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. I applaud the Maryland Military Installation Council for forming this advisory council so that we can ensure our investments and hard work over the last decade keep our state at the forefront of our nation’s security.”
About Maryland Military Installation Council
Authorized by the Maryland General Assembly and established in 2003, the MMIC identifies the public infrastructure, potential impact on local communities, and support needed for development and expansion of military installations in Maryland. MMIC also reviews state policies to support military installations and maximize economic benefits to local communities. The Council is staffed by BGen Mike Hayes USMC (Ret.), managing director of Commerce’s Office of Military and Federal Affairs.
