West Virginians and others considering careers in intelligence, security and public safety can meet and network with employers in these vital fields at an expo on Wednesday, Apr. 8 organized by the West Virginia Intelligence Fusion Center.
Private cyber security and intelligence data firms, federal law enforcement agencies and the U.S. military are among the vendors who have already signed up to participate in this first-ever expo for West Virginia, to be held at the Columbia Gas building in Charleston’s Kanawha City.
“West Virginia has never had an expo where those trained in the analytical field have been able to meet and show their talents to the private and government sectors,” said Fusion Center Director Thom Kirk. “We are hoping 2015 will be the first of many expos to bring these groups together in one place.”
Expo organizers envision the event becoming an annual opportunity for West Virginia’s veterans, college graduates and students who are interested in these promising career paths.
“We are graduating some outstanding students in the intelligence and analytical fields, and some very valuable men and women are now leaving the military to impart their training and experience in the civilian and law enforcement arena,” Kirk said. “The West Virginia Intelligence Fusion Center is excited about supplying the platform for these prospects.”
The expo is free. Participating employers include the firms CrossResolve LLC, Tygart Technology Inc.; Security Group Services LLC and HealthNet Aeromedical; the U.S. Navy, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Postal Inspection Service and Transportation Security Administration; the WV Attorney General’s Office; and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department.
The Fusion Center is part of the WV Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety (DMAPS). The Fusion Center will also participate as an expo vendor along with other DMAPS agencies, including the WV Army National Guard, the Division of Corrections, the Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority and the Division of Juvenile Services.
Participating schools include the University of Charleston and the University of the Cumberlands. There is still time for employers and schools to sign up for the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. expo. Both potential vendors and those interested in attending may contact Eva Godbey at 304-558-4831. Information is also available on the Fusion Center website, www.fusioncenter.wv.gov.
The WV Intelligence Fusion Center allows multiple levels of law enforcement, public safety agencies and private entities to share resources, expertise and information. This collaborative approach optimizes the ability to prevent, detect, investigate, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity as well as all other hazards while both protecting the rights of citizens and preserving the rights and integrity of law enforcement and private industry. The Fusion Center marked its seventh anniversary this month.