December 9, 2014

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, honorary chairman of the DRWV Foundation, and Amy Hess, Executive Assistant Director of the FBI's Science & Technology Branch, were the featured keynote speakers at the Foundation's seventh annual Identification Intelligence Seminar & Expo in Washington, D.C., designed to highlight and expand West Virginia's growing identity management sector.  The sector includes companies involved in cybersecurity, forensics, biometrics and BIG DATA.  Patrick Robertson, partner at FTI Consulting and board member of DRWV, served as the event's official host and emcee. 

This year's Seminar and Expo drew the largest crowd yet, boasting approximately 175 executives and government officials representing some of the nation's largest security and identity management companies and agencies.  In addition, representatives from the Italian, German, French, British and Taiwanese Embassies were also in attendance.  The EXPO is designed for out-of-state executives to explore investment opportunities, business partnerships and research synergies with West Virginia companies and universities. 

"Thanks to years of strategic investments and synergizing industry, research, education and government, the North Central region is home to state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced telecommunications facilities, high-tech cyber security support, innovative forensic and biometric laboratories, and extensive databases", said Senator Manchin.  

Representing the I-79 Cooridor this year with exhibits were

Azimuth, Inc., CrossResolve, Lakota Software Solutions, Parabon, Ideal Innovations (I3), Tygart Technology and Marshall and West Virginia Universities.  The FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division located in Clarksburg also had a big presence in this year's Expo showcasing both its Biometric Center of Excellence (BCOE) and Next Generation Intelligence (NGI) technology. In addition, Marshall University and West Virginia University played a significant role in the Expo.

 
"I was thrilled to see the level of participation and the quality of new attendees at this year's Expo", said Valerie Evanoff, CEO of CrossResolve.  "It was especially significant that both NGI and BCOE were exhibitors, and that there was representation from numerous foreign embassies.  It's evident that business opportunities in West Virginia are recognized at a global level."

The Expo was hosted by Discover the Real West Virginia Foundation, the West Virginia Development Office, the I-79 Development Council, and  the Identification Intelligence Ridge.   Event sponsors included CrossResolve, the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing, Marshall University and West Virginia University.

 

Photos by Paul Morigi Photography

 

Diamond Electric, an automotive coil ignition manufacturer based in Japan, has announced it will move its North American headquarters from Michigan to Eleanor. The move consolidates Diamond's main U.S. office, which has been in Dundee Michigan since 1987, with its existing manufacturing facility in Putnam County.  The Eleanor plant currently employs 335, and the relocation is expected to add 10 to 15 jobs to the area. 

 

"Today, West Virginia takes another step toward a brighter future," Governor Earl Ray Tomblin said at a press conference marking the announcement.  Diamond Electric began production in Eleanor in 1997.  Since then, it has grown into the company's largest production facility in the world. Diamond Electric operates in a total of seven countries, including the U.S. and Japan.

 

Hironori Kurita, the president of Diamond Electric, attributes the success of the Eleanor plant to the strength of its workforce. "Because of the great work ethic of our team members, we have been able to enjoy great success.  We are happy to tell everyone that our people make the difference in West Virginia. They make us strong and they give us pride", Kurita said. 

 

"I join all West Virginians in welcoming Diamond Electric's headquarters to Eleanor," Senator Manchin said. "This move further broadens the Mountain State's economic landscape and yet again confirms that companies recognize how great of a place West Virginia is to do business. We are thrilled that Diamond Electric continues to expand their base in West Virginia and we look forward to working with the company as a partner to boost economic prosperity from the mountains of West Virginia to the shorelines of Japan."

 

Diamond Electric is just one of twenty Japanese companies that maintain operations in West Virginia.  Since 2012, six such companies -Nippon Thermostat, Hino Motors, NGK Spark Plugs, Wheeling-Nisshin, Toyota and Diamond Electric - have invested more than $130 million in West Virginia and created more than 175 jobs.

 

The DRWV Foundation, along with numerous local and state partners, including the West Virginia Development Office, was instrumental in bringing Japanese companies to the state.
 

Photo by Steve Shaluta

 

Discover the Real West Virginia Foundation, Inc.
405 Capitol Street, Suite 512
Charleston, West Virginia  25301
304-345-0700
  http://www.drwvfoundation.org