• E-Newsletter

Veteran-Owned JDSAT Inc., to Expand AI, Cloud Computing and Data Science Business in Fairfax County

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced on Monday, April 22 that JDSAT Inc., a veteran-owned application development and data sciences firm, is investing $630,000 to expand its operations in Fairfax County. The company intends to invest in technical staff and analysts to support its growing artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and data science business. The expansion will create 60 new jobs. 

“This new office opening signifies an exciting step in JDSAT’s growth, allowing us to expand both our teams and capabilities,” said Scott Woosley, CEO of JDSAT Inc. “As part of our commitment to provide a collaborative work environment for our talented staff, this new space offers the resources and amenities to thrive, fostering a sense of unity and inclusion. We’re thrilled to embark on this next chapter in such a vibrant community that aligns well with our company culture, and are so thankful to the State of Virginia and Fairfax County for their support.”

Founded in 2013, JDSAT Inc. provides a broad range of technology development, data analysis, and research-driven consulting services for commercial entities and government agencies. JDSAT is expanding its operations in Fairfax County to serve a growing portfolio of Department of Defense contracts. JDSAT plans to hire 60 technical staff and analysts to support its growing AI, cloud computing, and data science business, more than doubling its team in Tysons.

“I want to thank JDSAT for choosing Fairfax County and putting down roots here to expand your AI, cloud computing and data science business,” said Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. “With the second highest concentration of AI-related jobs in the country and an unparalleled regional workforce of qualified technical talent, Fairfax County is a perfect location for emerging tech companies like JDSAT to grow and realize exponential gains.”

JDSAT currently employs 57 people at its Tysons office and is very involved within the community having supported various initiatives through Britepaths, and the Angel Tree and Coat Drive by Women Giving Back.

“Congratulations to JDSAT for growing in Fairfax County,” said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). “We thank you for your continued investment and your deep involvement within our community. It is our honor to support your success and celebrate your impact here in Fairfax County.” 

Click here to read more. 

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Land Design Consultants (LDC) Opens Fairfax County Location

Land Design Consultants (LDC), a Woodbridge, Va.-headquartered civil engineering firm, is expanding its operations in Northern Virginia with the opening of a new location in Fairfax County.

“We are exceptionally proud of LDC and are delighted to be a part of the Fairfax County community,” said Matt Marshall, president of LDC. “Our team looks forward to bringing our nearly 40 years of experience and deep regional expertise to Vienna, and to continuing to deliver award-winning landscape architecture and planning, land development engineering, and land surveying projects. Fairfax County will undoubtedly be a dynamic destination for LDC that will allow the firm to thrive.”

Located at 2650 Park Tower Drive, Suite 250, Vienna, LDC’s new office is ideally situated between Reston and Washington, D.C., and is just a four-minute walk from Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metrorail Station. With 5,000 square-feet of office space, 12 full-time employees will be based at this Fairfax County location, and the company plans to hire four more employees over the next year. This expansion underscores LDC’s desire to provide office space in a convenient location for employees who live in Fairfax County and surrounding areas.

“I am excited to welcome LDC to our Fairfax County community, and want to congratulate you on this milestone in your growth journey,” said Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. “By having chosen this prime location in the heart of the Providence District, close to transit, and with great connectivity across Northern Virginia, I know that you will be celebrating your continued success for years to come.”

“Congratulations to LDC on the opening of your new office in Fairfax County,” said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. “As you celebrate nearly 40 years of success in the region, we welcome you to the community and thank you for your investment.”

Since 1985, LDC has been partnering with commercial, residential, and government clients in the Washington, D.C. region to deliver extraordinary land development solutions. From concept to completion, LDC combines creativity and thoughtful design with expertise and experience to meet our clients’ goals and vision. LDC combines comprehensive knowledge of local regulations with the technical skills and innovative thinking to create the best solutions for land development projects of all sizes. For more information on LDC, visit www.ldc-va.com.

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Employers:  Get FREE Interns Paid by the County

If you are a Fairfax County employer searching for talent to fill open positions in your company, Talent Up Fairfax is the solution! Fairfax County’s Talent Up initiative helps employers find qualified candidates to fill open positions with no-cost temporary internships. Through a powerful network, Talent Up Fairfax matches your hiring needs with candidates who have the skills you are seeking. We recommend qualified candidates and then fund their 3-month temp-to-perm internship, giving you a risk-free way to ensure a strong hiring fit before making an offer. What could be easier?  It’s a FREE WIN-WIN for employers and jobseekers.

Want to learn more? Attend the upcoming informational session on May 15, 2024. Click here to register and learn more.

To let Talent Up Fairfax know if you are ready to create or expand the use of work-based learning in your business, please click the Interest Form link.

To post job opportunities for Talent Up Fairfax, contact us at talentupfairfax@vcwnorthern.com.

View current Work-Based Learning opportunities through the Talent Up Fairfax program here.

For more information, please visit TalentUpFairfax.com.

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Weekly Business News Digest

Digital modeling accelerator: Falls Church area-based General Dynamics Information Technology launched a new accelerator program designed to advance digital engineering, advanced simulation and modeling and security monitoring for government systems, ExecutiveBiz reported. The Ember Digital Engineering Accelerator is the latest digital accelerator under the GDIT brand that aims to apply digital modeling and simulation to a military system’s development and testing phase before moving to production. “Agencies need the ability to model systems with precision, simulate outcomes accurately, and adapt swiftly to changing requirements,” said Ben Gianni, chief technology officer at GDIT. The new program builds on GDIT’s existing digital engineering work for defense initiatives, including a digital infrastructure for the U.S. Space Force and a critical weapons system for the U.S. Air Force. GDIT also plans to offer the Ember accelerator to customers in health care analytics, smart cities and cybersecurity sectors.

Tackling cloud security challenges: Microsoft Federal‘s CTO Jason Payne, said implementing zero trust, artificial intelligence, machine learning and other emerging technologies and techniques could help government agencies address threats to cloud environments. In an article published in Carahsoft.com, Payne wrote that zero trust enables agencies to prevent unauthorized access, implement granular security policies and block lateral movement across clouds in the event of a breach, reported GovConWire. With AI and ML, agencies can “automate threat detection and response” and optimize security operations. Payne cited that some security tools in cloud platforms like Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender and Azure Arc offer a holistic approach to cloud security. The Microsoft Federal CTO also discussed how a continuous authority to operate could enable agencies to regularly assess their security posture. Payne said data storage, encryption, monitoring, logging, access management and data auditing should serve as key considerations as agencies advance the use of AI-enabled systems for their decision-making processes.

Top schools are here: U.S. News & World Report released its latest rankings of the nation’s best high schools and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia remains the top ranked school in the D.C. region and at no. 14  in the nation. It’s also ranked as no. 5 for STEM school in the nation, reported WTOP. Three additional Fairfax County Public Schools ranked in the top 5 for Virginia: at no. 2 Langley High School; no. 4 Oakton High School; and no. 5: McLean High School. Five additional FCPS high schools ranked on the list. Reston Patch has more. 

Empowering transitioning veterans: Tysons-based PenFed Foundation, a national 501(c)3 founded by PenFed Credit Union, has partnered with Washington, D.C.-based Onward Ops, a foundation that supports military members in their transition out of uniform and into life as veterans. The program is offered at no cost to service members up to a year before they depart the military and provides the option to choose a self-guided transition with personalized resources and tools or a sponsor-guided transition with personalized, hands-on support from experienced sponsors. “The PenFed Foundation is so proud to partner with Onward Ops to empower transitioning veterans. We both believe in the potential of veterans as community leaders,” said PenFed Foundation President Andrea McCarren. “They have an extraordinary work ethic, unparalleled resilience, and an array of skills that can benefit communities across the country.” The program enrolls more than 1,200 transitioning service members and their families monthly with enrollment expected to double this year. Click here to read more.

And PenFed Grand Lodge to open soon: Willing Warriors, a charitable organization providing cost-free retreat stays and programs that positively impact wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans and their families will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 18 to celebrate the opening of the PenFed Grand Lodge in Haymarket, Virginia. The lodge will allow Willing Warriors to serve over 600 additional warriors annually. In addition to providing respite for wounded warriors and families, the 6-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot multi-purpose space PenFed Grand Lodge will impact warrior groups by delivering programs for post-traumatic stress counseling, job training, entrepreneurial training, and education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In addition to PenFed Foundation’s support for the PenFed Grand Lodge, PenFed Credit Union donated $300,000 to Willing Warriors in 2021 to begin raising matching funds to make the lodge a reality. “Willing Warriors has long valued its partnership with PenFed Credit Union and the PenFed Foundation, as well as our community partners,” said President and Co-founder of Willing Warriors, Shirley Dominick. “Their support, whether through donations, sponsorships, or volunteering, has been instrumental in our journey.” Morningstar has more.

Growing North American footprint: Former JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes will join Herndon-based Airbus Americas as Chairman and CEO, CNN reported. Hayes, JetBlue’s CEO for nine years, stepped down from the post on February 12. Hayes will take over the leadership role at Airbus Americas from Jeff Knittel, who announced his retirement on Monday. “Together with the leadership team we’re looking forward to having Robin and his vast industry experience onboard to further deliver on our strategic objectives for the region across all the Airbus businesses and further grow our North American footprint,” said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.

Save the date! Veterans Growing America founder & CEO Donnell Johns Sr. and Tanda Johns and their son Donnell Johns Jr. were featured in the season 2 premier of PBS TV show Opportunity Knock$.  A veteran and entrepreneur, Donnell Johns founded  Veterans Growing America, a social platform for veterans, military spouses, and their supporters to grow their own businesses. Watch the PBS segment on May 1. Click here to learn more.

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Contract Wins

Northrop Grumman (Falls Church area based) secured a $167.1 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy to supply four lot 6 full-rate production Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar systems. GovConWire

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