LORD Corporation has announced that the company hosted the North Carolina Military Foundation’s board meeting on June 3 at its headquarters in Cary. The event featured presentations from several keynote speakers, including U.S. Rep. David Price, Commander of the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) Maj. Gen. Mark Clark, and The Adjutant General of the North Carolina National Guard Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk.

Discussions at the event focused on the use of data analytics to address challenges faced by the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in cyber security and predictive analysis for intelligence. Speakers advised the board on the important role it plays in catalyzing solutions to these challenges from N.C.-based companies and research organizations, particularly in combating terrorism.

Congressman Price led the presentations and focused on DHS’s priorities and opportunities for local organizations to support the need for continued innovative public-private collaboration as a results-oriented approach to economic development. Maj. Gen. Clark offered a brief overview of MARSOC and needs related to cyber security and advanced analytics. Maj. Gen. Lusk provided an overview of the North Carolina National Guard cyber security initiative.

Other speakers and topics included:
– Anthony Pompliano, founder of DigaForce and a military veteran turned entrepreneur, discussed “big data” exploitation and the application of advanced analytics. Additionally, Pompliano provided a demonstration on using advanced analytics for incident monitoring, fact-finding and prevention.

– Kevin Jacques of the Battleship North Carolina Generations Campaign reviewed the importance of preserving the USS North Carolina and its urgent need for hull repair.

In addition to the presentations, Ralph Willard, co-founder of Bain Consulting and Bain Capital, was appointed vice chairman of the board. Willard is a veteran business owner, having served as co-owner, chairman and CEO of Hinckley Yachts from 1997 to 2010 and as co-founder and vice chairman of Bain and Company from 1973 to 1993. Willard received his Bachelor of Arts in European history from Stanford University in 1965 and his MBA from Harvard University in 1971.

Jack De Leon, LORD chief operating officer, serves on the N.C. Military Foundation’s board of directors. Prior to his business career, De Leon served in the U.S. Army as a commissioned Air Defense Artillery officer, serving in Germany and the United States as a platoon leader, battery executive and battalion assistant operations officer.

Board members attending the event received an exclusive tour of LORD Corporation’s R&D facilities, which support the development of flight-critical active vibration and balancing technologies for military rotary and fixed wing aircraft. For example, the company’s In-Flight Propeller Balancing System (IPBS) will increase operational performance and reduce maintenance costs for C-130 H aircraft by eliminating the need for manual balancing of the propellers. IPBS balances the propellers in real-time during flight, eliminating the vibration and structural degradation caused by imbalance.