Speaker Series: Meet RIC: Introducing the Homeland Security Regional Innovation Cluster

On March 29, NCPC presented the region’s newest player - the Homeland Security Regional Innovation Cluster. Regional Innovation Clusters (aka RICs) are geographic concentrations of related firms and industries that do business with each other. California’s Silicon Valley, North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, and Portland’s concentration of athletic and outdoor apparel companies are unique examples of successful RICs.

As part of NCPC’s Speaker Series, state and local economic development experts and federal agency leaders outlined their strategies to spur innovation and regional economic growth by seizing the opportunity presented by the new Department of Homeland Security Headquarters at St. Elizabeths.

Event recap (PDF) »

Speaker bios »

Introductory Remarks:
L. Preston Bryant, Jr., NCPC Chairman
Carol Mitten, Executive Director for Urban Affairs and Headquarters Consolidation, Department of Homeland Security

Moderator:
David Robertson, Executive Director, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

Panelists:
Dr. Christina Gabriel, Principal Investigator for the Homeland Security Regional Innovation Cluster, Carnegie Mellon University

Terry Holzheimer, FAICP, Director, Arlington Economic Development

Christian Johansson, Secretary, Department of Business & Economic Development, State of Maryland

Barry Johnson, Senior Advisor & Director of Strategic Initiatives, EDA

Harriet Tregoning, Director, D.C. Office of Planning