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Fanning out over Capitol Hill last Wednesday and Thursday for the 2010 Baker Hostetler  “Central Florida Partnership Trip to Washington, D. C.”, six Central Florida Partnership teams composed of key regional business and community leaders met with fourteen members of the Florida Congressional Delegation or their key staff to build support for advancing, maintaining and enhancing the modeling, simulation and training industry.   In addition, all participants on the trip weighed in with, and enjoyed briefings at a private breakfast and luncheon with Sen. George LeMieux (R-FL) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) respectively.

(Above Left): Congressman John Mica (R-7th Congressional District) greets a delegation from the Central Florida Partnership including:  Mike Ketchum, BusinessForce; James Snaman, Cobham Analytics; Fred R. Kittinger, Jr., University of Central Florida; Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty; Ronald O. Rogers, 100 Black Men; Karen L. Dee, Fifth Third Bank; Stephanie A. Howell, Baker Hostetler (Host Sponsor); and George Rodon, Orange County Government. (Above Right): Congressman John Mica with Stephanie Howell, Baker Hostetler, Host Sponsor of the Baker Hostetler Central Florida Partnership “Trip to Washington, D. C., and Ronald Rogers, 100 Black Men. Click here for more photos.
(Above Left): Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-District 3) is briefed by Meg Crofton, Walt Disney World Co. and Chair of the Metro Orlando EDC; Shannon McAleavey, Walt Disney World Resort; Alfred G. Harms, Jr., U. S. Navy (Ret.); and Raymond Gilley, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission.   (Above Right): Jeffrey Q. Jonasen, Chair-Elect of the Central Florida Partnership, with Rep. Vern Buchanan and U. S. Small Business Person of the Year, Waymon Armstrong, Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS) and Board of Directors of Orlando, Inc. Click here for more photos.

As a result of the congressional visits, the delegation members and their key staff became much better acquainted with the importance and significance of this important segment of the Central Florida economy with its presence of 150 companies with over $3 billion in annual sales, the related military commands overseeing $5.6 billion in contracts and three of the nation’s largest universities – UCF, UF and USF – intimately involved in critical modeling, simulation and training research activities.  

While in Washington, participants also enjoyed an evening reception and private dinner at the renowned U. S. Botanic Garden on Capitol Hill followed by dessert at the Florida House and a personally conducted candlelight tour of the U. S. Capital by Cong. John Mica (R-Winter Park).  Another trip highlight was the special breakfast appearance by Martha Radatz, Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent for ABC News, who provided some incisive commentary on recent developments in Afghanistan.