GRAND RAPIDS ? Michigan InfraGard, an FBI-sanctioned Security education group, has elected new board members and approved several new initiatives, which will keep local law enforcement agencies and individuals involved in critical security planning better connected to each other.
The new leadership at Michigan InfraGard includes:
Thomas Raupp of Delphi Automotive as President, replacing John Sheridan
Daniel Lohrmann of the State Of Michigan as vice president, replacing Larry Shattuck
Dennis Peasley was elected Secretary
In Michigan InfraGard?s Western Region
Joe McMahon of Alticor as Advisory Board President, replacing Peasley
Tom Greco of Johnson Controls as Secretary
Shattuck was appointed Midwest Regional Council Member.
In other local news Michigan InfraGard?s Western region adopted two new initiatives. The first is aimed at supporting law enforcement agencies through better understanding of what is needed to prepare a solid case forensically for prosecutions of computer crimes. Meetings will be held which will include law enforcement and InfraGard members focused on IT security matters, to review best practices of forensic preparation and to develop solid relationships with various law enforcement teams in the area.
Additionally, there is an initiative to involve individuals from other Critical Infrastructure sectors into what is known as a Sector Chief Program. The SCP is a national InfraGard initiative that focus?s on building better communications between sectors of all CI?s across the state. Numerous chapters across the country are beginning to engage in this exercise and it is hoped that by the end of the year, there will be a significant number of chapters engaged. The initiative was supported by the Department of Homeland Security as a way to effectively share sensitive information with InfraGard members. Steering committees of both of these initiatives are seeking interested parties to participate.
National / Regional Conference ? Baton Rouge, LA
Larry Shattuck (Midwest Regional Committee) traveled to Baton Rouge in November to meet with Regional leadership from around the country. This was the first time the FBI had brought together the new Regional leadership team (there are six regions from across the country and two regional committee members in each).
One of the topics of interest was a national Memorandum of Understanding under development with the Department of Homeland Security that would seek to establish a much stronger relationship between the organizations. Perhaps one of the most active conversations revolved around better communications throughout the membership and leadership of InfraGard. Various initiatives are under investigation that yield a better and more efficient communication process across the country.
Larry Shattuck is an InfraGard Midwest Council member.
