by Van Carpenter, Chair of the DANC Innovation & Leadership Forum

Howdy Partner. Life Partner. Partner in Crime. Business Partner. Strategic Partner.

From an old cowboy greeting to corporate strategies, our lives are full of possible and real partnerships.  We tend to accomplish bigger and better things when we successfully partner with others. Partnerships are not exclusive.  They work with individuals and with organizations alike.

The Defense Alliance of North Carolina (DANC) can only accomplish its mission of growing the defense economy in North Carolina by utilizing partnerships.  Through consistent forging, freshening, or funding of a mix of collaborative partnerships, DANC positively affects the Defense Industry in North Carolina.

We live partnership at DANC.

At the Defense Alliance of NC, we utilize a mix of partnerships that include:

• Members
• State Government Agencies and Organizations
• Military 
• Academia

Bill Herrold, President of the DANC Management Council describes it like this:

“As in life, effective partnering is critical to business success.
Whether it’s teaming with other companies to win a contract award;
teaming with current customers to help gain new ones;
or teaming with larger interests to build a policy consensus,
more often than not teaming is the most direct route to success.”

Member Partnerships

Member-to-member partnering is the first type of partnership that is ongoing with DANC.  For example, our service provider members provide everything from data to printing or from personnel to products. We are beefing up our member collaboration efforts and actively fostering referrals among members and their companies.  Also, there is a wealth of personal experience and knowledge inherent in our diverse membership.   If you need to know something specific about the Defense economy or a particular company or process, there is another member that is likely available, with whom you can confer. 

Partnerships with State Government Agencies and Organizations

The North Carolina Military Affairs Commission (NCMAC) promotes the values of the military and supporting entities of the federal, state, and local levels in order to sustain, enhance and protect our military installations and missions.  The NCMAC further identifies and supports economic development organizations and initiative that focus on leveraging the military to help create jobs and expand defense and homeland security related economic development activity in NC.

DANC is a private, non-profit organization focused on strengthening North Carolina’s Defense sector and those who support it and growing North Carolina’s defense economy in a way that generates long-term investment and job opportunities. DANC brings a considerable arsenal of promotion and networking opportunities in the form of forums, events and partnerships with state agencies, NC and federal government legislatures, businesses and of all sizes, and the NC academic community.  Combine that promotional mix with our Defense Asset Inventory and Target Industry Cluster Analysis, and the result is a powerful voice of advocacy and information in the defense sector in North Carolina.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that NCMAC and DANC have decided to create a new and ongoing partnership.  A Memorandum of Understanding was signed earlier this year.  Both organizations have embarked on a twelve-month collaborative partnership to support and create broader awareness and impact of NCMAC initiatives and strategic efforts, both regionally and nationally.

Tammy Everett, DANC Senior Director states:

“The clock has started on the MOU.
The main objective of the partnership was to ensure the alignment of the vital roles of each party.
I look forward to working with Project Manager, BG (Ret) Joseph “Jay” Gothard,
on fulfilling our obligations defined within the strategic tasks and deliverables.
It is the mission of the team leads and board advisors
to perform within the guidelines described in the scope of work.”

 

Partnering with the Military

A study led by the Defense Alliance of North Carolina (DANC) and conducted by RTI International (RTI), a nonprofit research institute, and the North Carolina Department of Commerce has found that while North Carolina is a small market for defense contracts, it is among the fastest growing states in the nation for technology areas being targeted by the Department of Defense (DoD). 

Tim Gabel, Executive Vice President of Social, Statistical and Environmental Sciences at RTI and DANC Executive Board Vice Chair said:

“We often talk about how much the Research Triangle region has to offer
in terms of technological innovation and expertise. What’s excitingabout these findings
is that we have capabilities across our entire state that should create a path forward
to bring more jobs and long-term investment to North Carolina.”

The study team interviewed non-defense companies in North Carolina across several technology industries to understand how companies viewed defense as a market.

The study team based their research on the six technology areas the DoD is prioritizing for future contracts: advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, data and knowledge management, human performance, materials and power. According to the study, over the past five years, North Carolina ranked first in economic growth in data and knowledge management and human performance, and second in power and advanced manufacturing. The state also has a high concentration of jobs in research and services related to the six technology areas compared with the national average.

They found that 11 percent of North Carolina companies in the six target technology areas have defense contracts. The main reasons companies did not have defense contracts were a lack of awareness of opportunities, difficulties in navigating government proposals and greater financial opportunities in commercial markets.

Speaking of partnership. Informing this study was a core team representing 11 organizations from across North Carolina, with input from more than 30 industry, government, military, nonprofit and academic organizations that continue to work together to support and build North Carolina’s defense economy. The study was funded by the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission.

The report published by DANC includes recommendations for securing more defense contracts through leveraging North Carolina’s innovative companies and research organizations. North Carolina can strengthen and lean on partnerships and relationships with uniformed and civilian leaders at installations across the state.  The report concludes that by looking at the broader needs of the DoD and focusing on the six technology areas the department is prioritizing, “opens a world of opportunity” for the state.

Partnership with Academia

DANC collaborations are supported by the University of North Carolina Systems Office, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC), the North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office (DEFTECH), the Army Research Office (ARO) Research Triangle Park Facility and many other academia institutions and providers.  These partnerships are enhanced through an impressive set of standing forums.  DANC Forums create regular opportunities to explore emerging defense sector trends and challenges and deliver actionable intelligence to leaders from North Carolina’s business, academic, government, and military communities. Topic areas are recommended annually by the DANC Management Council, approved by the DANC Executive Board, and includes a wide array of expertise and areas of study.

Partner with DANC as a Member

To take advantage of all these partnerships and to leverage your impact as an individual or a company, all you have to do is become a member of The Defense Alliance of NC and participate.  Make a difference in our NC Defense Economy and in your own profitability.  Join today, or if you are a member, get back involved in our committees, forums and influencer initiatives.  Bring your unique set of skills and connections to DANC.   Together we can PARTNER and make the difference.

If the Defense Industry in North Carolina is important to you and your business, sign up now to become a part of an organization with a collective voice and advocacy for defense issues. 

CLICK HERE to become a part of a growing association of leaders in the defense economy of North Carolina.

Make it your personal MISSION Statement to continue serving as an active member of DANC or JOIN our ranks today and discover your important role in growing North Carolina’s Defense Industry.

About the Innovation and Leadership Forum Chair:

Van Carpenter (US Navy Retired) is a global business change agent, advisor and communicator. He regularly advises, coaches, speaks and trains on innovation, creative change, catalyst communications & marketing, and adaptive leadership. Van has over thirty plus years of entrepreneurial and executive experience in corporate, government, military, marketing, agency and entrepreneurial sectors. He brings his unique blend of diverse experience, business acumen, humor, and real-world perspective to both his advice and communication.

Van is a retired Commander in the Naval Reserve. He lives near Clayton NC with his wife Deborah and is currently hanging out in the “basement office” while managing his business consulting and innovation group – Van Carpenter Innovative Solutions.  Contact him anytime at 919-539-3499 or email him your topic suggestions to van@vancarpenter.com.