Institute for Defense and Business and SAS honor Executive Fellows

Program fosters collaboration between defense, private sector

CARY, NC  (Oct. 05, 2009)  –  The Institute for Defense and Business (IDB), announced their 2009-2010 class of IDB Executive Fellows. The program enables recently retired Department of Defense (DoD) leaders, uniformed and civilian, to discuss trends within their areas of expertise at IDB educational programs. SAS, the leader in business analytics software and services, sponsors the program. 

IDB selects Fellows based on outstanding service records and demonstrated interest in sharing their experience and expertise with future leaders. Historically, at least four Executive Fellows are chosen annually from the military branches, DoD and joint commands. This year SAS sponsored a fifth Fellow, the first from the United States Coast Guard. 

“IDB facilitates the exchange of ideas and best practices between military and government leaders and the private sector, which benefits everyone,” said Karen Knowles, General Manager of SAS Federal. “SAS’ involvement highlights the importance of analytics technology in helping government better serve and protect its citizens.” 

The IDB Board of Directors, chaired by former North Carolina Governor James G. Martin, hosted an installation dinner in Washington, DC the evening of 1 October 2009 at the Reserve Officers Association. 

The 2009-2010 Executive Fellows are: Gen George T. Babbitt, USAF (Ret.) former Commander, Air Force Materiel Command; LtGen Ronald S. Coleman, USMC, (Retiring and effective induction date of Jan 1, 2010) Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; VADM Walter B. Massenburg, USN (Ret.) former Commander Naval Air Systems Command; LTG William E. Mortensen, USA (Ret.) former Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command; and RADM Dale G. Gabel, USCG (Ret.) former Commander, First Coast Guard District. 

“By any measure, the SAS/IDB partnership in the IDB Executive Fellows Program is an unqualified success.  The insight, experience and wisdom these distinguished leaders provide has proven invaluable to participants in IDB programs and, in turn, to their organizations as they apply what they have learned,” noted Mark C. Cramer, IDB President. “The addition of a Fellow from the U.S. Coast Guard to this year’s class is a milestone, bringing all the military services into the Executive Fellows Program.” 

Executive Fellows participate in IDB educational programs as guest lecturers, providing guidance on curriculum development and working with faculty on key academic case studies and research. They also speak at conferences and provide insight on emerging issues and trends. In addition, Fellows partner with colleagues on articles or monographs on topics of particular interest to them. 

The Institute for Defense and Business (IDB) is a non-profit research and education institute that facilitates ongoing information exchanges and partnerships among the Department of Defense, other government agencies, and the private sector. The IDB’s flagship initiative is the DoD Center of Excellence in Logistics and Technology (LOGTECH) featuring executive education, an MBA and the Depot and Arsenal Executive Leadership program. The IDB also supports US Government efforts on economic governance and stabilization, business transformation and provides independent programs on logistics and life cycle systems engineering.

SAS^® solutions are used extensively by all 15 executive agencies, all military departments and the joint commands. To achieve departmental missions and goals, the U.S. government relies on SAS to turn volumes of raw data into usable knowledge, creating true enterprise intelligence and measuring the success of how the government performs its various functions and responsibilities.

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