Episode Transcript
Speaker 1 00:00:03 Hello, and welcome to another episode of Cyber Matters, powered by the Kao Podcast Network. I'm your host, Russ Dorsey, a principal and, uh, the c i o here at kassouf in Birmingham, cyber Matters is where we talk about the technology that matters to our ourselves and to our clients and their businesses and families. Uh, it's how technology's being implemented and how we're utilizing it to enrich our businesses and how we're protecting ourselves, uh, and in some cases what we're doing to, uh, to develop workforce talent and things of, of that nature. Which brings us to today's guest. I'm, I'm pleased to welcome our guest. Renee Borgne is the Executive Director of the Alabama Technology Foundation, and also a marketing specialist with the Retirement Systems of Alabama. And welcome and appreciate you making the drive up. Uh, she came up from Montgomery just for this.
Speaker 2 00:00:46 I appreciate you inviting me. Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 00:00:49 Absolutely. Uh, and, and, and we're working this episode in quick because it's time sensitive with a big event that's coming up here at the Civic Center. So, um, but, but, but let's talk just quickly as far as introductions, uh, about your role with the, uh, Alabama Technology Foundation and the R S a mm-hmm. <affirmative>, um, and, and, and what you do.
Speaker 2 00:01:07 Sure. Um, so my role with the R S A is the Technical marketing specialist, is I work with our Dexter Avenue data center to try and bring business into our data center. It's a co-location facility, and we, uh, we have the state of Alabama and other businesses like a Hoss major hospital, and, uh, banks and some schools. And it provides, it's basically for those that don't understand what a co-location is, it's like getting your equipment out of the closet and putting it in our closet. Yeah. And the way we can manage it is we provide the heating, the cooling, and the security, but we do not manage the, the equipment itself. It's still yours and it's still your responsibility Yeah. To manage it.
Speaker 1 00:01:54 And, and I'm, I'm actually familiar with that mm-hmm. <affirmative> from back when I used to do those sorts of things. Oh, yeah. It's, it, it's an outstanding facility. And you're one of the top rated in the state.
Speaker 2 00:02:02 Yes. Um, we have, uh, everything is n plus one or more. So, uh, and that's the great thing about it, is that you know that your equipment is there, it's safe. And most of the infrastructure there is used for disaster recovery. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>.
Speaker 1 00:02:19 So, so, so tell me about the Alabama Technology Foundation and, and the mission and vision and what you're accomplishing there. Oh,
Speaker 2 00:02:25 Yes. Absolutely. Our major goal is to develop the largest Alabama STEM database in Alabama. Um, and we want to be able to go out and get students to enroll into our database that are getting any degree in science, technology, engineering, or math, uh, to provide our business industry a conduent to hire these students, uh, for their companies. Our motto is to develop them here, keep them here. Our, our mission is to support the Alabama businesses by developing our future pro professionals. And, you know, through academia. The, the main way we do that is letting the students know that by registering into our database, they will be seen by businesses that help sponsor us. And what the students do is when they enroll into our database, they put in the college that they're going to, they put in their overall G P A, the degree that they're getting, and they also put in whether they're interested in the internship, a job placement, if they're willing to relocate, they also can put in certifications that they may already have or also experience that they may already have.
Speaker 2 00:03:46 And the great thing about it is that businesses that sponsor our organization, they get to see these students. That database allows them to pull anything up. If they want a certain major, then every student that registered in that, in, in their profile, that major will populate. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, it doesn't matter what college or university that they go to. Now, if they wanna narrow it down by location, they can narrow it down by location. If they wanna narrow it down by a certification, they can do that. And it's like the businesses sitting down in front of their desk and going to multiple career fairs at one time. Right. And, you know, it's a fan out situation. The great thing about it, on the other end, the student's end just by registering into our database, it allows them to be seen by multiple businesses throughout Alabama. So it's a fan out situation for them. It's like, I've sent my resume to all these businesses and, and, and that's what's so exciting for the students, because they want to be seen. They really do wanna stay in Alabama. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:04:53 How, how, how old is this program?
Speaker 2 00:04:56 Oh, God. I started this program actually about five years ago, but no, four years ago. But because of covid, we kind of had to take a long pause. Absolutely. Get up and start all over again. Um, and so it initially probably is only about now, the standup was about, uh, almost three years ago. Okay. And we have over close to 500 students right now mm-hmm. <affirmative> throughout Alabama. And we have a student from every university in college right now,
Speaker 1 00:05:27 So And so, so, so it's voluntary for the students. So you're trying to get the word out to the students today, sign up. Exactly. Sign up for this. But then the, the corporations that come in, or even the small, you know, like I imagine professional firms like us or, uh, the law firms mm-hmm. <affirmative>, anybody that, that, that's feeling the talent shortage because the, the, the coast, you know, west and east Coast came into the, the middle, you know, America and just picked all the talent out that is that covid as quick as they realized that we are gonna have a mobile workforce. So had this, this notion of getting everybody to, you know, stay here where you got family mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, work here, where you're supporting the, the business. This is a win-win. Right.
Speaker 2 00:06:04 It, it really is. And, and the other great thing about it too is if by businesses, you know, utilizing this database, it really gives them an option to do their research and be able to see multiple students throughout Alabama and, and find out that the talent is here. I can tell you that the biggest issue that we're having right now is, uh, in, in the, in the state with businesses, is that when they find these students, they also have, they, they run into the issue of, oh, they don't have the experience. Well, and that's the mindset we need to change in the business industry, because in order for us to keep students in Alabama, you have to also accept that training, onsite training will be needed in order to keep the students here. And you need to change your mindset and know that they do have the training. They spent four, either two or four years to get that degree. They, they've dedicated their time, the hours, uh, and for those that are a little bit older, time away from their own family just to get where they're going. So they are dedicated, they have the endurance to stay there, and they also have the, the want to, to accomplish, you know, where they're going right now. And, uh, they have goals and they wanna stay here in Alabama.
Speaker 1 00:07:30 Hmm. Do you, do you have specific, uh, you know, programs already, uh, underway, maybe with a specific, um, you know, lar larger corporation where you're, you're feeding a, a, an internship program on an ongoing basis? Are you setting up those kinds of relationships as well? Or, what
Speaker 2 00:07:45 We've done is we're just now building our database, I guess you could say, of our business industry mm-hmm. <affirmative>, so that we can, you know, start working with them and collaborating with them to, you know, focus on hiring these students for internships, you know, or job placements and even apprenticeships, you know, so that they can gain the experience. Right. Right. Um, so those are in the makings right now. And, you know, I'm hoping that we can start getting those more, more locked in as far as the support from the business industry. We have, you know, support from a W s Microsoft, uh, integrated Computer solutions, uh, distributed ledger DC blocks, uh, Alabama Power Trend Micro, S h i sunnova's, uh, fish Firewall, Hudson Alpha. Yeah. Is one of our biggest Aruba, uh, Hitachi Ventura I could really go on. Uh, and that support came actually from our very first conference that we pretty much opened last year.
Speaker 2 00:08:55 Right. So, um, and so with that support, eventually we will start collaborating with each and every one of them to, uh, start, you know, working on getting this set up for the students. Because the database was released about, I would say about three months, maybe four months ago. So last year was really the initial and the strongest pull to bring these students in. Right. And so once, once we released it, then all the businesses are looking at it for the first time, seeing, you know, what is out there. And so our, our goal is to next step work with these industries to, you know, have them start utilizing it. So, yeah.
Speaker 1 00:09:43 And, and so, so it's, it's really right now a ground floor opportunity for, for it mm-hmm. <affirmative> for these corporations to build this. I, I, I'm aware of these programs in other states where you have these longer, uh, standing relationships between like, the large credit card companies and internships that they offer, and then they, they, you know, work on the scholarship piece of it and things like that. So, you know, it's great to see that here. Um, but, but STEM is not just the, you know, the T in No, in STEM is, is not, it seems like that's who you've attracted the most of right now is the technology companies and even some national ones. But, you know, we have, as far as the science and the math, you know, aspect, um, I don't know. Is, is accountancy a STEM field? I
Speaker 2 00:10:23 Don't know. It's math. Yes, it is Math. The math. Math. Yes. Math. Um, and, and that's something too. The Alabama Technology Foundation. First start off, started off with trying to create storage engineers, um, back in 2007. And that's when I came in, I was working for Gunnar Air Force Base as a senior storage engineer. Uh, and then, uh, we, we didn't have enough employees to hire. And there was not a school out there that trained storage engineers. And that's how the Alabama Technology Foundation kind of began. Uh, and then it evolved, well, we need cybersecurity. And then it evolved and said, okay, we need other areas in it. And then when it went stagnant, uh, 'cause I had moved out and, and loved the organization. I was just a recruiter at that time or, uh, trying to raise funds. I came back and 2020, and they asked me if I could take over it.
Speaker 2 00:11:25 So when I did, um, I looked at it and I was looking at what the governor was offering. She was really promoting stem mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And I was looking at our name, the Alabama Technology Foundation. And I'm saying, we're just, we're, we're not focusing on what the Alabama Technology Foundation should be. We should be focusing on what Alabama needs. And so, since they did keep adding it, we need to add the SS and the E and the M where we stand, we stand on the last leg of what Alabama is doing right now. They're promoting it in K through 12, the elementary, their, uh, middle school high school. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, we take it from there because there isn't really an organization that focuses on the students after they graduate high school. We want to make sure that the student stays in and stays focused in STEM and goes on to college, uh, technical school, universities, four year even, you know, the, the graduate level and on up. Uh, and so we wanna promote STEM all through their education, but in the same time allow them to be seen by our business industry. Right.
Speaker 1 00:12:44 Which, uh, you know, and then that way they, they get this, this great education in Alabama mm-hmm. <affirmative>, then they get to stay here. Absolutely. And, and stay here and work for great companies. And
Speaker 2 00:12:53 Absolutely. And we do have great companies, and we have fantastic students out there. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:12:57 They're probably one of the best states in the union, by the
Speaker 2 00:12:59 Way. I totally agree. 100% <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:13:02 Well, uh, so, so, so for businesses to get involved, you know, with the foundation, they would, would, would contact you. And I'll, I'll make sure your contact information's in the, in the podcast notes, but let's, let's talk just a moment about the, the technology conference. You, you mentioned that a second ago. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, you, you did have your first conference last year. Yes. And it was very successful, from what I hear. I didn't make it down. So this year you're coming from Montgomery to Birmingham. So you're gonna be at the Sheraton Civic Center.
Speaker 2 00:13:27 Uh, yeah. The B J C. C
Speaker 1 00:13:28 B J C C. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Thank you. Uh, so, so really tell, tell us what that conference is about. That's, you know, and, and, and from, from the business and sponsor aspect mm-hmm. <affirmative>, what are, what are you looking to put together this year? Repeat from last year that was successful? Oh, yeah.
Speaker 2 00:13:42 I, I, I wanted to have a group of advisors to help me with an idea of having a conference for Alabama businesses focused on them. We all have conferences that are government conferences and all that. And my idea was why don't we give them a conference for them based on them? And that's where I pulled in all the it, um, CEOs and, um, uh, directors, IT directors and so forth. 'cause I wanted it to be a technical conference for the Alabama business industry. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And they came, it was very, it was so funny 'cause it was so easy to get everybody together and agree, this is fantastic. This is a great idea. Uh, and they, you know, said, we wanna call it the Alabama Business Technology Conference. They wanted to make sure that artificial intelligence was involved, uh, biotechnology, bioscience, uh, cybersecurity, uh, the newest technology, the infrastructure mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 00:14:56 <affirmative> or software. Uh, and so we gathered all that information up and just blew it out to a, a lot of Alabama businesses to, you know, see if they were interested. And they were. And we decided we'll do this annually. Uh, and it's all about having a conference on technology Yeah. For the businesses. We would have breakout sessions, uh, that would include CE credits and also project management credits. Uh, and we would also have keynote speakers, and the proceeds would go to our students. It would help provide scholarships for our students. Uh, and so that's how we decided to raise funds in
Speaker 1 00:15:47 Order. So, yeah. So it, it really is a win win. I can't see anybody not wanting to get involved in that. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, because you've got this, uh, you know, and from, from my, uh, you know, perspective as a, you know, professional as well. You, you go to conferences that are usually so narrow in scope mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And if I go to cybersecurity conference, yes. I'm learning about cybersecurity. Frankly, if I'm a vendor at one of those conferences, I'm wanting to sell, I'm wanting to get to decision makers. That's the only people I want at that conference. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, the decision makers are usually aren't there to buy. No. Um, you know, and, you know, and frankly, you got propeller heads running around. They're just wanting get the technical, you know, chops out of it. I I love that. This is because STEM broadens it out into the other sciences.
Speaker 1 00:16:26 It does. Uh, and then you've got the project management credits. But what I like about this whole concept is the honesty of it, which is, Hey, we're gonna bring the students in. 'cause you do bring students into this. And so, uh, and again, from a, a, a, a potential employer's perspective, they may put a booth there, but they've got to understand, and I think they do that, they're playing the loan game of getting their product out there while these students are still coming through the education process. And they're gonna remember that in a couple of years when they are the decision maker. Right.
Speaker 2 00:16:54 And that is true. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:16:55 And, and so that's, that's an untapped and know potential market. Uh, you know, that, that if, if the, if the vendors see this as an investment mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, and, you know, in supporting this, then they're gonna have people later. They're gonna, they will have made these contacts plus, uh, you know, plus again, there will be people there attending the, the, the, uh, the know breakout. So is this a one day or two day? It is
Speaker 2 00:17:15 A two day event. Eptember the 14th and 15th. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:17:19 Uh, and so, uh, so, so somebody, you know, the, the, uh, you've got keynotes, obviously both days and breakouts both days. I've seen the agenda. It is pretty phenomenal. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, the, you got like four breakouts between every sets of keynotes. That
Speaker 2 00:17:33 Is, that is true. We, and we, we've kind of taken the agenda out for right now because we're, we're, we're, we're setting, we're resetting it. Uh, I've got some, uh, special keynotes that haven't, uh, that I haven't announced yet. I can tell you that our, our main keynote speaker will be Scott Ross with Hudson Alpha. Uh, and, uh, we're excited to have him to, you know, present Thursday at our luncheon, our keynote luncheon.
Speaker 1 00:18:01 And now, hu Hudson Alpha's, uh,
Speaker 2 00:18:03 Is in Huntsville, Alabama. And they're a technology organization. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:18:09 And, and a very large employer too, right? Oh,
Speaker 2 00:18:11 Yes. They're huge. Huge. And they're looking for students, you know, in that area. Well, because they are Hudson Alpha, they're looking for students in all areas. Uh, and so our database will allow them access. I mean, opportunities,
Speaker 1 00:18:28 Are they Alabama based, or did they move here?
Speaker 2 00:18:30 No, I think they are Alabama based. They started here in Alabama. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:18:34 Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. But, but, but certainly like a w s uh, you know, has, has, has made a huge footprint in Alabama, and they've decided this is one of the states they're going to plant, you know, uh, additional resources at mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So for, for companies coming in from out of state, seeing this kind of program,
Speaker 2 00:18:49 Uh, a w s has been such a fantastic sponsor of our organization, as well as the Alabama Community College systems. Yeah. Um, and because we are promoting their students, uh, and it is just, uh, fabulous about the support we've been getting. Not, you know, not just a W Ss Microsoft, uh, and Hitachi, uh, N t T data. There's so many large corporations that see value in what we're doing because, and that's why they want to be a part of it, because they know this is an IT conference, it is a business conference. Uh, the conference is, and, and this is what's kind of confusing for some people, is that, well, we thought it was for the students. Now this conference is a business conference. It is what we do for the students. We allow them to come in on the last day, and we allow them to come free, and we want them to visit the booth so they can understand what the Alabama business industry has to offer, as well as our vendors, what they have to offer our businesses. Um, and because these exhibitors and sponsors, they will have access to our database. And so the students may actually be meeting a future employer, right. Right. As well as one of the, the sponsor may actually be meeting a future student. But the great thing is about it, the students don't have to bring a resume. They don't have to bring their transcript or anything. It's all on their profile. If by chance, uh, a sponsor sees an interesting student, just ask their name and, uh, and look 'em up. That's right.
Speaker 1 00:20:32 So, so you've still got, now see, we're, we're, when I drop this, you'll have, uh, about 60 days out. Okay. So there's still time for vendors and sponsors to get involved. You've still got spaces available on the floor and Oh, yeah.
Speaker 2 00:20:44 We have plenty of spaces available, and we also have plenty of sponsor options to pick from. So, um, most of our, our booths that we have available are the 10 by tens, 2,500.
Speaker 1 00:20:57 So, so, so what are you expecting attendance wise based,
Speaker 2 00:21:00 We hope to get about four, 500. Wow. Or more. Yeah. Uh, the great thing about attendance this year to, to attend, it's only $25. Yeah. I mean, and that includes the exhibit booth as well as the breakout sessions. If you want to attend any of the lunches or whatever. And all of it, it's like to, to to, to attend the luncheon, it is $45. And if you want to go to the after hours event on Thursday night, it's an extra 25. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:21:32 So, so, so if they're able to kind of a la carte it and
Speaker 2 00:21:34 Yeah, that's
Speaker 1 00:21:35 It. But, but, but a vendor or sponsor wanting to get involved can do a, could do a block of tickets. They, they could probably, well, you're bringing the students in, but I think that was a sponsored thing too. Yes. You had a vendor that picked that up, so, yeah. Well, that's, uh, we, you know, we, we're gonna break here in just a minute and then, then come back and talk about this from the student. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, you know, perspective, um, for, for another segment. But, uh, uh, you know, just, uh, I wanna encourage everybody, like I said, if, if you're vendor sponsor looking to get involved in this or with the foundation, um, I'll put, uh, Renee's contact information where you can go find out more down below the notes. And certainly I think, uh, you know, again, we've gotta invest in Alabama. Uh, you know, we've got Laus Tech coming up here in, in, in 30 days, which is about the business startup side of things, about building that ecosystem. But again, I mean, I'm thinking about, uh, Southern research just right down the road. Birmingham's got such a huge bio, uh, med industry, huge healthcare industry. I mean, all of these things and keeping these students engaged here is so important. So, um, thank, thank you for, for promoting that. And, uh, and for our listeners, thank you for watching our listening to this podcast. I'm Russ Dorsey again, uh, your host today. Uh, this is Cyber Matters, which is powered by the Caso Podcast Network. And we will return, uh, shortly with, uh, episode two.
