Enterasys establishes Federal Advisory Board

Enterasys Networks, the Secure Networks Company, has established a Federal Advisory Board to offer strategic guidance for planning and executing the company`s growth in the federal market. The board will also help Enterasys establish productive partnerships with leading government contractors.

Comprised of widely respected military and intelligence leaders, the group brings substantial expertise in the policy, planning and implementation of technology to ensure the integrity of critical communications infrastructures.

"New threats and a rapidly expanding universe of connected people and devices require a comprehensive commitment to network security, and Enterasys Secure Networks solutions are driving this vitally important change," said Bob Fortna, vice-president of federal sales for Enterasys Networks. "Government organisations must ensure the highest levels of network security to protect sensitive data and private information. We`re honoured to have such a renowned group of experts who will assist us in delivering our unique Secure Networks products and solutions to meet the high-priority needs of federal organisations."

Joining Fortna, Enterasys President and COO Mark Aslett and Executive Vice-President of Worldwide Sales and Services Michael Rivers, the Federal Advisory Board members include:

* David Borland (Army, Retired Senior Executive Service) - most recently served as Deputy Chief Information Officer for the US Army, where he oversaw the formulation and execution of Army IT budgets, approved Army IT acquisitions and oversaw the day-to-day activities of the Army CIO staff. He has led the Department of Defence (DoD)-wide effort to investigate innovative solutions to information assurance, network defence, and security challenges facing the DoD and the government in general. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Borland spearheaded the transformation of the CIO/G-6 staff and aided in the establishment of a new subordinate command, the Network Enterprise Technology Command. He received the Meritorious Presidential Rank Award for Senior Executive Service Members in 1996 and 2003 and the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award in 2000.

* William Johnston (Army, Retired US Colonel) - former Vice-President of Air Force and DISA Networks, Enterprise Networks Division of General Dynamics Network Systems. In this capacity, he was responsible for the program performance, new business acquisition, and marketing of USAF and DISA telecommunications infrastructure (voice, video and data) networks and related support services. Previously, Johnston was Vice-President of Network Operations for General Dynamics, Director of Local Information Transfer Systems and National Account Manager - Defence Programs for GTE Government Systems Corporation (GSC). He had responsibility for the business development, customer relations, customer satisfaction and program performance for the DoD sustaining base telecommunications customer.

* George P Lampe (USAF, Retired Major General) - an independent management and information technology consultant, and president of Lampe Consulting, San Antonio, Texas. He currently works with a number of leading private-sector information technology companies across the US and Canada. Prior to retirement, Lampe was Deputy Director of Communications and Information at Air Force Headquarters at the Pentagon. He also served concurrently as Vice Commander of the Air Force Communications and Information Centre. In those capacities, Lampe was responsible for assisting the Director and Centre Commander in the management and oversight of strategic plans, doctrine, policy, architecture and standards for worldwide communications, computer and information management resources valued in excess of $16 billion.

Lampe`s military decorations and awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the National Defence Service Medal with bronze service star and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

* John Rixse (President of JHR Consulting, LC) - provides executive consulting services to select clients with respect to strategy and planning, commercialisation of new technology and business acquisition processes for new business in the national security arena. Rixse enjoyed a very successful career in both the defence and intelligence communities, with considerable experience at senior policy levels. Since entering the private sector, he has been involved in helping companies grow business in the defence and intelligence communities, first as Vice-President, Strategic Marketing, Emergent Information Technology, Inc, then as a Principal with Technology, Strategies & Associates, a management consulting firm, and now as an executive consultant. Outside of work, Rixse is Vice-Chairman of the AFCEA Intelligence Committee, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia, and the founder and trustee of the Robert S Rixse Foundation.