Hill Country Defence Alliance
The mission of the Hill Country Defense Alliance (HCDA) is to promote regional economic development accomplished through partnering of higher education and private enterprise for the nation’s defense. It accomplishes that mission by directing resources to find solutions to defense issues, cybersecurity challenges in particular, in conjunction with the United States Government. To this end, HCDA has secured 501 (c) (3) status from the IRS. HCDA is not a political or profit-making enterprise, but a partnership designed to enhance our region by building its contribution to the nation’s and our democratic allies’ defense.
Method
To achieve its mission, the HCDA will team with Schreiner University, which has established a cybersecurity training program within its Talent and Workforce Development Center (TWDC). This program provides online, certificate level training for individuals seeking immediate entry into the cyber workforce. Beyond that, the university is expanding its instruction and research directed to threats to the nation’s infrastructure. By hosting the HCDA, which will assist regional firms in achieving approved supplier status and will disseminate broad area announcements from the Department of Defense and other governmental offices and corporate sources as appropriate. Schreiner will be in position to seek more effectively solutions to cybersecurity issues with the eventual goal of becoming a national cyber hub.
Goals
To unite higher education and manufacturing of the greater Hill Country region committed to use our regional grit, energy, and resilience to seek solutions for issues of national defense, particularly in cybersecurity.
• To identify emerging needs in defense supply chains and better align our Hill Country companies who contribute to or have the capacity to contribute to such projects.
• To seek out broad area announcements from US Government agencies serving to advance interests of the USA and NATO.
• To collaborate with regional armed services in cybersecurity in finding cybersecurity solutions.
• To support the work of regional educational institutions in cybersecurity education and research.
• To ally as appropriate with other Heartland entities pursuing similar efforts.
• To work with the Dakota Defense Alliance in tandem with collaboration between Schreiner University and Bismarck State College (BSC) to promote cybersecurity solutions.
ADVOCACY
Schreiner University will serve as the host for HCDA advocacy and communications.
Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing (KMM) will draw on its experience and connections with both DDA and HCDA and with Schreiner’s cybersecurity goals to serve as catalyst to advocacy.
Schreiner/HCDA will use offices on Capitol Hill as well as on its campus to monitor and respond to opportunities for funding support and to disseminate these to interested parties.
Schreiner will maintain a close relationship both with state offices and with key Congressional and DoD personnel to remain current with potential support.
HCDA and DDA will collaborate on defense work relevant to their regions, serving as a voice for manufacturing in the Heartland. Schreiner and Bismarck State, North Dakota’s polytechnic institution, will similarly collaborate on appropriate efforts to secure federal support for their respective programs.
HCDA Structure
The HCDA will be guided by a board of experienced leaders from both public and private sectors. An expanded advisory group will provide strategic counsel and advocacy. Membership will be open to regional enterprises committed to advancing the Texas Hill Country’s role in national defense.
Governing Board
- The HCDA Michael Oates, US Army, Retired (Chair)
- Kristin Hedger, Vice President for Business Development, KMM
- Gilberto Salinas, former Executive Director, Brownsville Economic Incentive Corporation
- Tim Summerlin, President Emeritus, Schreiner University
- Jeff Harris, South Star Bank and Kerrville City Council
- John Carlson, attorney, board counselwill be overseen by a board with relevant experience selected from public and private professions.
- A larger advisory group will also be established for counsel and advocacy.
- Membership will be open to regional enterprises with an active interest in growing the defense-related potential of the Texas Hill Country.
