The Opportunity to Make a Difference: The Presidential Innovation Fellows Program

A little over two weeks ago, I came across a unique, and once in a lifetime public service opportunity while reading about start-ups, innovation and small business.  

President Obama’s senior White House technology advisors,  U.S. CTO Todd Park (@todd_park) and U.S. CIO Steven VanRoeke (@stevenvDC), announced the launch of The Presidential Innovation Fellows program at TechCrunch Disrupt New York on May 23, 2012.  The venue selection for the release, a conference for innovators and entrepreneurs, was a telling sign about the Obama Administration’s thoughtful strategy, lofty objectives, and commitment to game changing solutions.

The program is looking for 15 “amazing innovators” who are interested in coming to Washington, DC for 6- to 12-month fellowships. They will work in small teams focused on the five project’s Park and VanRoekel announced earlier this week: MyGov, Open Data Initiatives, Blue Button for America, RFP-EZ and The 20% Campaign. The scope of these projects was chosen so the teams can “deliver significant results within six months.”  - www.techcrunch.com

After learning about the program, I went online to further learn about the program. I reviewed descriptions of all of the initiatives and determined that my background, experience and passion would be best utilized on the RFP-EZ project.  

RFP-EZ aims to create a streamlined process for the federal government to do business with small high-growth companies. - www.whitehouse.gov/innovationfellows/rfpez

In December 2011, I was invited to a roundtable discussion in New York City with approximately 15 other entrepreneurs to meet with SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns and Sergio Fernandez de Cordova (@sfdecordova), a member of the SBA’s Council on Underserved Communities (CUC).  The conversation primarily focused on how the SBA can better assist small business win government contracts, gain access to capital, and better understand opportunities created by President Obama’s American Jobs Act.  I left the roundtable yearning to make a difference and questioned exactly how I would engage in architecting a game changing solution.

On May 25, 2012 while reading about The Presidential Innovation Fellows program and researching more about it, I realized how I was going to be part of the solution.  I was going to apply for a 2012 Presidential Innovation Fellowship. 

The Presidential Innovation Fellows program is an example of the Obama Administration’s commitment to Government 2.0 and innovative leadership.  The program provides a means of using the best minds and methods from the private sector, non-profits, academia, and government to develop game changing solutions.  

I encourage other passionate entrepreneurs and innovators of varied backgrounds and experiences to apply.  Applications are being processed this week.  

Apply at:

www.whitehouse.gov/innovationfellows/application

I hope to see you in Washington, DC in July!  

Jonathan B. Smith
@ChiefOptimizer

Related Posts

• Ed Mullen: Five Reasons to Be a Presidential Innovation Fellow
• Now, this is a leap in the right direction!
• Wanted: A Few Good Women and Men to Serve as Presidential Innovation Fellows

SBA's Council on Underserved Communities is Listening to America's Entrepreneurs

I had the pleasure of meeting with SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns at an Entrepreneurial Roundtable in NYC this week to discuss the SBA's engagement with the entrepreneurial community.  It was a lively and passionate discussion and was well received by the round table.

For more about the Entrepreneurial Roundtable Click Here.

British Airways Face 2 Face

Pigeon in the Cabin

When i got on Continental Flight 107 on April 2, 2011 from EWR to IAH there was a pigeon flying in the rear of the cabin, hard to believe but true . I boarded early and the plane was not full at the time of the bird's antics. Naturally there was some chaos on the plane while the flight attendants tried to catch the errant bird / stowaway.

The flight attendants were unable to catch the bird. I jokingly called for an Air Marshal to no avail, though I did not expect support. Using my entrepreneurial mindset and resolve to solve the problem, I got up and took my overcoat and used it to catch and subdue the bird. I picked the bird up and successfully released it.

The plane did depart on time, mission accomplished.

Results Matter!

Birdman of Continental

Pentagon Invitation

ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE:

Army Executive Outreach, Department of the Army, is offering outside groups a unique opportunity to gain insight into the Army. Groups of 12-25 are cordially invited to a "Fly-In" visit to the Pentagon where they can receive specialized Army briefings and gain personal insights into operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and other national security issues confronting America's Army.

A typical "Fly-In" visit consists of a 4-5 hour itinerary with substantive briefings from Army leaders, a "Boots on the Ground" panel, guided Pentagon tour (including the Pentagon 9-11 memorial site and chapel), and a private lunch in the Executive Dining Room hosted by an Army Senior Leader. The cost of the transportation to and from the Pentagon is carried by the visiting party.

This opportunity also includes an invitation to the Army's premier "Twilight Tattoo", a time-honored tradition that blends the precision and discipline of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) with the orchestral sounds of The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." This show takes place at Fort McNair on the banks of the Potomac between 7 and 8.

Peter Drucker on Entrepreneurs

The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity

Why Nations Go to War

From Zero to $100 Million - A Success Story

Tune in to learn how Jonathan Smith and his father launched their beach erosion barrier business in the early 1990s and ultimately landed a $100 million contract with the port of Abu Dhabi to protect strategic assets for them using their floating fence technology.

Rich Sloan interviews Smith and reveals the long but undeniable road to a whopping success story. Learn how a $5,000 investment in a search-engine-friendly website helped  them land their massive, nine-figure deal. Also learn about how Jonathan leaned heavily on his partnership with his father to endure the low points along the way.

This is a story about sticking to it, but not about making crazy sacrifices. Every step of the way, Jonathan was basing the will to press on on feedback and real potential being indicated by the marketplace.

Want inspiration? This is your podcast!

Learn about the company at www.whisprwave.com.

Podcast

Wave Dispersion Technologies (UDM-Keen Interview Series)

2008-1210 Technical Entrepreneurship Case Studies 20080228

Commercialization Process

Source: http://www.idahotechconnect.com/Commercialization/

Technology Transfer Cycle

Source: http://www.orpc.unh.edu/tech-transfer-cycle.html

The Other Silver Bullet Option - Underdog

Homeland Security is "Everyone's Responsibility" - The Silver Bullet Solution

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can develop the plans and implement the systems to help mitigate the risk of terrorist attacks to our Homeland. However, their plans and systems are not fool proof; there is no single silver bullet solution.


There will always be loopholes in the system and it is everyone's responsibility to help "plug the gaps."

HOMELAND SECURITY IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY

Harvard Business Review on Network Centric Strategy

• Obama's making the same mistake as record labels, fighting a decentralized network of extremists with centralized structures, like NYT op-eds. It's not going to work, because the economics don't hold . . . The only solution is to challenge, dilute, and redefine the incentives that cause networks to coalesce in the first place.
  
  Source: Harvard Business Review -  "Network Strategy and the Anti-Defense"

What does "everyone's responsibility" mean?

• Everyone should be vigilant, take notice of your surroundings, and report suspicious items or activities to local authorities immediately.
  
  
  Source: DHS | Report Incidents
• The best homeland defense will be a good homeland offense. The weapons must not only come from without through what government does. The more powerful weapons will come from within when millions of us decide to think, act and live differently.
  
  
  Source: www.townhall.com
• Recognizing and Reporting Suspicious Activity
  
  
  Source: http://www.nationalterroralert.com/suspicious-activity/

Bottom Line -  "If you see something, say something"

This simple phrase and concept should be the cornerstone of President Obama and the DHS's leadership platform when publicly addressing homeland security risks, threats and appropriate responses.

Jonathan B. Smith

Patriot
Concerned Citizen
Homeland Security Entrepreneur


Original Research for the Post - Homeland Security Research Priorities

Good Judgment

Good judgment comes from experience, but experience comes from bad
judgment.

Mulla Nasrudin

Mark the Spot - iPhone Application - Share Your iPhone Call Dropping Frustrations

I am a huge fan of my iPhone as a mobile device, but find it exceedingly disappointing as a traditional mobile phone, which is why I have dubbed it the iRate. I have replaced my phone 3 times, updated the software on numerous occasions, and spent countless hours with both Apple and ATT to try to determine the source of my frustration - which is the iPhones propensity for serial call dropping.

Who is at Fault?

In my opinion, the culpability resides with ATT. The runaway popularity of the iPhone has outstripped the capacity of the ATT Network and that is why the iPhone stinks at its primary purpose of being a simple phone. I would be better off with a throw away pre-paid phone if a phone was all that I needed.

A Great Deal for ATT and Definitely a Crummy Deal for the Consumer

I once thought that ATT's iPhone exclusivity arrangement was a brilliantly negotiated deal by ATT executives that would not impact the consumer much because I wrongly assumed that the ATT Wireless Network could handle the most basic task of providing universal dial tone and phone service (Flat Rate Commoditization in the US Wireless Market). OH HOW WOEFULLY WRONG WAS I!!!

My calls to ATT have been in vain. I have repeatedly been fed lines like the ones below by the ATT Customer Service Reps, aka the ATT Shock Absorbers:

The issue reported has been investigated and no network fault found.

The ATT Executives who artfully crafted this bit of CorpSpeak must have forgotten that we live in the age of social media and EVERYONE has a voice.

ATT Knows all about the Problem

The reality is that ATT knows internally how woefully inadequate their network is for the level of traffic that they are attempting to manage. Why else would Ralph de la Vega, president and chief executive for mobility and consumer markets at AT&T, be talking to the NY Times about how they are going to "incentivize" heavy data users to curb their iPhone usage.

• AT&T to Urge Customers to Use Less Wireless Data

ATT's Solution

ATT has even created an iPhone Application called Mark the Spot to address the issue and determine where the network needs enhancements. This is an official iPhone app from ATT letting you report dropped calls, failed calls, lack of coverage, data failure, and poor voice quality.

• AT&T's 'Mark the Spot' iPhone App Admits Coverage Woes
• Mark the Spot: Tell ATT where the iPhone sucks

What Can You Do?

It is time for iPhone users everywhere to unite and break ATT's monopoly on our coveted devices connectivity. ATT service is so bad that I also have a Verizon phone to ensure that I can make imporant calls.

I personally have filed complaints with the Federal Communication Commission, Department of Justice, my US Senators and Congressman, and even filed a complaint with the Office of the President (see below)

• FCC - File a Complaint
• DOJ - File a Complaint
• Contact your Senator
• Contact your Congressman
• Contact the President of the United States
  

Sample Letter Below:

Dear Senator XXXXX:

I am writing you to express my discontent with what I believe to be an antitrust arrangement between ATT and Apple regarding their five year exclusivity arrangement tying anyone who wants to use an iPhone in the US to the ATT Network. I encourage you to vigorously investigate this arrangement on the grounds of its anticompetitive nature, homeland and national security implications and consumer protection principles.

I have found my the mobile phone service on ATT's network to be prone to dropped calls and spotty coverage. Consumers deserve to have a choice when it comes to their wireless carrier and the tying arrangement between ATT is proving grossly unjust to consumers from a quality and choice of competitive carriers in the marketplace.

Thank you for your attention to this matter in advance.

The Department of Justice has launched a preliminary inquiry into this arrangement, but it is my belief that additional voters "encouragement" will help to move their investigation forward.

• Telecoms Face Antitrust Threat

It is time for everyone to make their voice heard. The chains of ATT need to be broken from our iPhones.

Responses Received to Date

Dear Mr. Smith:

Thank you for contacting the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Departmentof Justice. The Citizen Complaint Center has reviewed your complaint, and we have forwarded it to the appropriate legal staff for further review. We have your information on file and should legal staff need further information, they may contact you in the future.

We appreciate your interest in the enforcement of federal antitrust laws.Sincerely,

Citizen Complaint Center
Antitrust Division
Department of Justice

Rumors

I am praying that rumors of an an Apple approved iPhone for the Verizon Wireless Network.

• Is AT&T losing its grip on the iPhone?

As my Russian friends say "I will be out of here (ATT) like Vladimir."

Stop Worrying and Start Living

The truth about our childhood is stored up in our body, and although we can repress it, we can never alter it. Our intellect can be deceived, our feelings manipulated, our perceptions confused, and our body tricked with medication. But some day the body will present it’s bill, for it is as uncorrupt able as a child who, still whole in spirit, it will accept no compromises or excuses, and it will not stop tormenting us until we stop evading the truth.

Alice Miller

US Customs Teterboro (TEB)

I am writing this post to provide a checklist for myself of important documentation and contact information that I need on international flights utilizing Teterboro as the port of entry.

I hope others find it useful, feel free to provide suggestions if there are resources that you feel should be added to this page.

Required Paperwork

1. Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (EAPIS)
2. Teterboro (KTEB) US Customs Form
3. Customs Form 178 - Private Aircraft Enforcement System Arrival Report
   
4. CBP Form 6059B
   

Contact TEB CBP

• 201-288-8799 Work
• 201-288-4699 Fax

CBP Private Flyers Resources

• Private Flyers Resources
  
• Guide for Private Flyers
  

AOPA Checklist and Resources for Traveling to Canada

• http://www.aopa.org/members/pic/intl/canada/
  

Ivan Drago

Winston Churchill on Lies

A lie gets half way around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.

Winston Churchill

A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued,

''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

• Live simply.
• Love generously.
• Care deeply.
• Speak kindly.
• Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
• Take naps.
• Stretch before rising.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
• When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Be loyal.
• Never pretend to be something you're not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
• ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!