Tech Grove Opens with Successful Visit from Navy Leader

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gilday visited the Central Florida Tech Grove in an event hosted by Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) Commanding Officer Tim Hill and NavalX Central Florida Tech Bridge Director Diana Teel.

Admiral Gilday toured the facility and reviewed on-premise demonstrations by NAWCTSD’s LVC-Docs and Cyber Red Zone Capture the Flag programs and Ready Relevant Learning applications.

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The Central Florida Tech Grove is the industry’s only innovation hub specifically oriented to support national defense partners at Team Orlando, which is focused on Modeling, Simulation, Training & Human Performance. Partners include NAWCTSD, U.S. Army PEO STRI, PM TRASYS, Air Force Agency for Modeling & Simulation (AFAMS), and the University of Central Florida.

Tech Grove Manager Kevin Mikalsen reflects on the successful visit: “It was a big success and great start to our first weeks of opening the physical space in Research Park. Admiral Gilday was scheduled for 45 minutes but stayed much longer; in fact, Diana was allotted 10 minutes, but expanded to 20 minutes as the Admiral was very inquisitive and supportive with questions and encouragement on what we are building over here. He was especially pleased with the broad ranging support capabilities throughout the Navy and the interaction with the other service branches.  He briefly toured the space but focused on Diana and the two demos from NAWCTSD – LVC-Doc/Red Zone Capture the Flag (over at NAWC) and then the virtual/VR applications for Ready Relevant Learning.”

Pending Covid updates, Mikalsen would like to plan an Open House to invite partners from industry, Team Orlando, and the University of Central Florida.