The BTI Institute Director and Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships had a number of engagements this past quarter. Below are a few highlights.
Director meets with Kevin McAleenan, acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Ioannis Kakadiaris met with Kevin McAleenan while in D.C. during the BTI Institute's 2017 PI Meeting and Showcase. He was able to lay out for the Commissioner the current projects and priorities of the Institute as well as listen to the Commissioners vision for research institutes supporting operational concerns.
Consumer Electronics Show 2018
Ioannis Kakadiaris and a couple of his students traveled to the Consumer Electronics Show to see the latest in AI, drones, digital sensors and smart cities. More on CES can be found here: https://www.ces.tech/.
Border Security Expo 2018
Ioannis Kakadiaris and Kevin Clement traveled to the Border Security Expo in San Antonio where they were able to hear first hand the operational needs of the components for which the BTI Institute does research. Some highlights include hearing first hand from Deputy Secretary Elaine Duke on transnational criminal organizations and linking up with Luc Portelance, BTI Institute Advisory Board member. For more on the expo, click here: http://www.bordersecurityexpo.com/.
Texas Association of Regional Councils
Kevin Clement presented the Regional Response to a Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack after action review compendium and the process of the workshops to the Homeland Security Committee of the Texas Association of Regional Councils. The CCTA is a DHS Sponsored grant to the Southe East Texas Regional Planning Commission.