AeA, founded in 1943, is a nationwide trade association that represents all segments of the technology industry and is dedicated solely to helping our members’ top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels; providing access to capital and business opportunities; and offering select business services and networking programs.  

AeA's Potomac Council was founded in 1987.  Headquartered in Washington, D.C., this council has a unique focus on helping its members win government business through AeA's national Government & Commercial Markets Group (GCMG).  The AeA Potomac Council provides senior level business development, networking, lobbying, and business education for member companies.

As the most powerful high-tech organization in the U.S. we also provide for meetings with national CEO's, CFO's, HR VP's,  Members of Congress, Senior Government Staff and Procurement Officials.

Council Mission

The Potomac Council's mission is to:

• Connect the high-tech companies to Business opportunities in commercial and government markets. Connect companies in the council with the international, national, and regional information, resources, and business tools available through AeA membership;
  
• Stimulate networking of individual member companies by enhancing contacts, links, or partnerships with other member companies, service providers, and industry experts nationwide;
  
• Provide member companies with quality business development experiences directly relevant to their day-to-day needs in building a successful enterprise;
  
• Represent  the industry perspective to the media, government, economic development agencies, and related organizations.

Council Objectives

The Potomac Council's objectives are to:

• Build strong networking and business development events based on specific member needs
• Provide tools for companies to cut operational cost and increase benefits at the company level 
• Establish and grow alliances with business media, investors, regional technology councils, educational institutions, and  related non-profits;
• Develop strong ties with national and regional government legislatures, agencies, and technology committees
• Grow the size of the Council by reaching out to new members and strengthening ties with current members
• Fully develop the governing structure, including the Executive Committee and appropriate subcommittees

Our primary purpose is helping our members’ top and bottom lines
 by providing the following services:

Access to Investors || State, Federal & International Lobbying || Insurance Services

Government Procurement || Business Networking || Foreign Market Access

Select Business Services || Executive Education

Chairman Tom Brandt Sr. VP and Chief Financial Officer TeleCommunications Systems, Inc.	Tom Brandt is the Chairman of the AeA Potomac Council and AeA Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Working Group. Mr. Brandt is the Chief Financial Officer of Annapolis, Maryland based TeleCommunications Systems, Inc.  As CFO Mr. Brandt is responsible for the company’s financial management, reporting, controls, accounting, and administration.  Mr. Brandt joined TCS in early 1997.  He has twenty-seven years experience in finance and accounting.  Mr. Brandt was previously Senior Vice President and CFO of DIGEX, Inc., an Internet service provider, where he helped lead its 1996 IPO.  His experience includes twelve years with Price Waterhouse, and services as CFO or controller of other corporations including Easco Corporation, a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.  He serves on the Boards of Antenna Research Associates, Inc., a private technology company.  He is a CPA with an AB from Duke University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Goldy Kamali Executive Director, Government & Commercial Markets Group P: 202.682.4432 F: 202.682.9111	Goldy Kamali is the Executive Director for AeA's Government & Commercial Markets Group.  Goldy is a corporate sales and management leader with over a decade of significant achievements within the high-tech industry, most recently as Regional Director of Strategic Business Development at Onvia, Inc., a leading source for government business intelligence.  While at Onvia, Goldy won several distinguished awards and was promoted to Regional Director of the Central and Eastern Regions. Prior to Onvia, she spent eight years in various senior-level strategic sales, and sales leadership roles within the telecommunications industry, most recently at XO Communications. While at XO, she successfully negotiated enterprise contracts and developed lasting relationships with senior executives of Fortune 500 accounts. During her tenure at XO, Goldy was given numerous awards for her consistent achievements and closed the largest multi-million dollar contract in the history of the sales organization.

This page was last updated on 07/25/08.  
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