IN THE NEWS

MiSN WORKING TO REINVENT MICHIGAN | Technology Century | Vol. 15 No. 4 Winter 2010–2011 | Michigan’s new Governor Rick Snyder has emphasized the need for Michigan to reinvent itself…. The Michigan Security Network (MiSN) could not agree more. Download PDF

LEADERS & INNOVATORS – LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY | November 16, 2010 | Spotlights Leslie Touma, Founder and CEO of MiSN. View website | Download PDF

THE FRANK BECKMANN SHOW; WJR 760 – PODCAST | September 21, 2010| Frank speaks with Leslie Touma, CEO Michigan Security Network, who will be hosting the Midwest Regional final of the $500,000 Global Security Challenge at the University of Michigan in Dearborn.

MICHIGAN SECURITY NETWORK HOSTS FINALISTS COMPETING IN $500,000 GLOBAL SECURITY CHALLENGE | September 20, 2010 | The Michigan Security Network will host the Midwest Regional final of the $500,000 Global Security Challenge on Tuesday, September 21 at the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus. Read Complete Release

SECURITY TECH COMPANIES COMPETE AT UM-DEARBORN | September 20, 2010 | Great Lakes Innovation and Technology Report; WWJ•NEWSRADIO 950 | A materials analysis company from Canada and a suburban Chicago developer of lightweight biological protection masks won the Midwest Regional final of the $500,000 Global Security Challenge Tuesday. The event was held on the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Read complete article

GROUP PROPOSES AREA FOR HOMELAND SECURITY TESTING | August 2, 2010 | Crain's Detroit Business – Michigan could become a federal site to field-test new products and services under consideration by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, if the nonprofit Michigan Security Network can put together a formal proposal for the federal government in the coming weeks. Read complete article

FIRM FLOATS PLAN FOR BACKUP BRIDGE | July 29, 2010 | The Detroit News – The Ambassador Bridge Co. announced plans Wednesday to build a floating bridge to replace the current span in case of terrorist attack or natural disaster. Dan Stamper, president of the Detroit International Bridge Co., which owns and operates the 80-year-old span, made the announcement of the "Bridge-on-Demand" project at the Northern Border Security Conference in Dearborn. Read complete article

THE FRANK BECKMANN SHOW; WJR 760 – PODCAST | July 28, 2010| MiSN – Northern Border Security Conference guest speaker Mark Borkowski (Assistant Commissioner, Office of Technology Innovation and Acquisition (OTIA) speaks with Frank Beckmann about Michigan as a Northern Border Test Bed for homeland security.

WWJ•NEWSRADIO 950 NEWS DIRECTOR ROB DAVIDEK INTERVIEW ON NORTHERN BORDER SECURITY CONFERENCE – PODCAST | July 27, 2010 | Mark S. Borkowski – Assistant Commissioner, Office ofTechnology Innovation and Acquisition (OTIA), talks about his involvement in a security conference going on Tuesday and Wednesday in Dearborn. Go to WWJ•950

MiSN SECURITY CONFERENCE JULY 27 & 28 IN METRO DETROIT | July 21, 2010 | The Hub – Michigan business, it seems, has many advantages when it comes to providing innovation to the field of Homeland Security. The state ranks sixth nationally for the number of patents issued and second in overall research and development spending… Yet the state ranks 31st in the total value of contracts issued from the Department of Homeland Security. Read blog

THE GREAT LAKES INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY REPORT; WWJ•NEWSRADIO 950 – PODCAST | July 20, 2010 | WWJ’s Matt Roush talks with Leslie Touma, CEO and Founder of the Michigan Security Network, about a security conference in Dearborn July 27th and 28th. Go to WWJ•950

MANUFACTURERS SHARE DIVERSIFICATION TIPS | July 19, 2010 | mlive.com – Of the markets mentioned as key current or future targets, one was conspicuously absent. Homeland Security, a $113 billion market, seems to be a well-kept secret despite the fact that it represents extraordinary potential for Michigan manufacturers due not only to our manufacturing heritage, but also because of our geographic advantage having the largest commercial border crossing in the country. Read complete article

CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON PROTECTING U.S. BORDERS | July 16, 2010 | The Oakland Press – Local companies and entrepreneurs will have the chance to present their ideas about how to protect the nation's borders to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Defense.

Organized by the Michigan Security Network, the Northern Border Security conference is now scheduled for July 27 and 28 at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. Read complete article

NETWORK SEES FUTURE IN SECURITY | July 16, 2010 | The Detroit News – You've heard it countless times: We share an international border, with tons of goods crossing back and forth each day. We're the epicenter of transportation research and development in North America. We've got private technical expertise, public research universities and excess industrial capacity created by the seismic downsizing of Detroit's auto industry writ large. …all of that is supposed to be the makings of a foundation to rebuild Michigan's battered economy and change the narrative of its “lost decade.” The trouble is actually doing something, which is where Leslie Touma comes in. Read complete article

DIVERSIFYING MICHIGAN’S ECONOMY: LEADING THE HOMELAND SECURITY MARKET | July/August 2010 | Insight – For the last several years, Touma has been focused on Michigan’s economic resurgence and tremendous business opportunities through the fast-growing homeland security sector. Read complete article

In this edition of Insight, MiSN is also sourced under “Hot Markets” (page 9) and discussed under “Diversification Resources” (page 10).

WWJ•NEWSRADIO 950 RON DEWEY INTERVIEWS MiSN FOUNDER/CEO LESLIE TOUMA – PODCAST | July 3, 2010 | WWJ’s Ron Dewey describes how Homeland Security has financial benefits for Michigan. Go to WWJ•950

DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR GLOBAL SECURITY CHALLENGE TO AUGUST 6th 2010! | The Global Security Challenge has announced today that the deadline for submissions to the ‘Best Security Start-Up’ and ‘Best Security SME’ categories has been extended until August 6th 2010. The deadline has been extended due to demand and to provide applicants more time to complete their submissions. Please note there will be no further extension to this deadline. Read complete release

THE FRANK BECKMANN SHOW; WJR 760 – PODCAST | June 28, 2010 | Frank Beckmann speaks with Leslie Touma, CEO and Founder of MiSN (Michigan Security Network), about the Michigan Security Network and the Northern Border Conference taking place in July. Go to WJR

COMPANIES WILL TOUT MICHIGAN’S HOMELAND SECURITY STRENGTHS AT JULY CONFERENCE | June 16, 2010 | Crain’s Detroit Business – With billions of dollars worth of U.S. Department of Homeland Security contracts up for grabs, Michigan-based companies want to prove their worth to homeland security officials attending the Northern Border Security Conference on July 27 and 28 at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. Read Complete Article @ CDB

THE 2010 GLOBAL SECURITY CHALLENGE OPENS COMPETITION TO HELP FIGHT TERRORISM AND IMPROVE HOMELAND SECURITY. The Michigan Security Network pleased to partner the GSC and host America’s Midwest Coast regional final of the $500,000 Global Security Challenge. Read complete release

WWJ•NEWSRADIO 950 – MiSN FOUNDER/CEO LESLIE TOUMA PARTICIPATES IN SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS/CEO’S PANEL ON MOVING MICHIGAN FORWARD – PODCAST | June 15, 2010 | The Engineering Society of Detroit partnering with the office of Governor Granholm sponsored this Q and A giving Michigan's small biz entrepeneurs the opportunity to pick the collective brains of high profile execs from various industries.

Listen to podcast (2 parts)

ESD PANELISTS OFFER FORECAST ON FEDERAL CONTRACTING, LENDING PROSPECTS | June 15, 2010 | Crain’s Detroit Business – At the Engineering Society of Detroit’s Small Business Key Conversations with Michigan’s CEOs Tuesday morning, a few themes emerged: small business owners still face hurdles in gaining access to capital, new markets are sought after, and federal contracting can boost a company’s prospects.

Michigan is well-positioned to compete in the defense industry, said panelist Leslie Touma, CEO and founder of the Royal Oak-based Michigan Security Network, not only because of the state’s research and development talent but because of Michigan’s proximity to the Canadian border. Read Complete Article @ CDB

Mitechnews.com NORTHERN BORDER SECURITY CONFERENCE JULY 27-28 – PODCAST | June 8, 2010 | DETROIT – Leslie Touma, president and founder of the Michigan Security Network, explains why anyone involved in security in the Great Lakes region should attend the Northern Border Security Conference July 27-28 at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn.

CONTRACTING CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS BORDER-SECURITY TECHNOLOGY NEEDS | June 7, 2010 | Crain’s Detroit Business – An upcoming conference is meant to match homeland security customers with specialists in border security. Founder and CEO Leslie Touma of the nonprofit Michigan Security Network is working to secure a list of what customers need in advance of the organization's Northern Border Security Conference July 27-28 at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. Read complete article @ CDB

FEDS TO DETAIL TREMENDOUS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR TECHNOLOGY, AUTOMOTIVE, DEFENSE, OTHERS | June 2, 2010 | FierceGovernmentIT – ROYAL OAK, Mich., June 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – The Michigan Security Network (MiSN) today announced four additional keynote speakers to the MiSN – Northern Border Security Conference, July 27-28, Hyatt Regency Dearborn. Read Complete Article

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION CONTINUES, SECTORAL STRATEGY FOR DEFENSE-RELATED BUSINESSES BEGINS TO UNFOLD | February 8, 2010 | New Economy Initiative For Southeast Michigan – Detroit – Southeast Michigan is struggling to successfully prepare, retrain and place those displaced by the recent recession and the auto industry. The New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (NEI) is supporting organizations and programs addressing these needs and creating new opportunities for these individuals. Read complete release @ NEI

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS: IT AND SCIENCE ENTREPRENEURS ENCOURAGED TO PURSUE HOMELAND SECURITY CONTRACTS | November 5, 2009 | Crain’s Business Weekly – Billions of dollars could be on the table for Michigan entrepreneurs and local companies seeking science and technology contracts in the homeland security industry, speakers at a Dearborn conference said Wednesday. Read complete article @ CBW

MICHIGAN SECURITY NETWORK RAMPS UP | Fall 2009 | X-OLOGY – Michigan’s drive to create a viable homeland security industry got a huge lift in August when Leslie Touma announced the startup of the Michigan Security Network, a nonprofit group focused on growing the state’s cyber security, border security and bio-defense businesses. Download PDF of article

TRAINING PROGRAM WILL FOCUS ON DOING BUSINESS IN DEFENSE INDUSTRY | October 6, 2009 | Crain’s Business Weekly – A collaborative training program on doing business in homeland security, by the nonprofit Michigan Security Network and by Wayne State University, will be a first for both organizations. Read complete article @ CBW

MICHIGAN SECURITY NETWORK AND WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY LAUNCH JOINT VENTURE TO SPUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN HOMELAND SECURITY | October 6, 2009 | DETROIT – In support of its mission to accelerate homeland security technology development, investment and jobs in Michigan, the Michigan Security Network has developed a joint venture with Wayne State University to provide training for aspiring entrepreneurs as well as mature businesses interested in this growing market. Read complete release

MICHIGAN SECURITY NETWORK ANNOUNCES HOMELAND SECURITY LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE | September 29, 2009 | DETROIT – The Michigan Security Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating homeland security business, investment and job growth in Michigan, will hold its first technology conference on November 4, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn. Read complete release

MICHIGAN GROUP COURTS HOMELAND SECURITY INDUSTRY TO CREATE JOBS | August 27, 2009 | USA Today – DETROIT — In another move Michigan is making to diversify its struggling economy, a former state politician has launched a non-profit group aimed at attracting homeland security businesses. Read complete article

LEADER: STATE CAN CAPTURE SECURITY MARKET | August 26, 2009 | The Oakland Press – Michigan has both the research and development capacity and the talent to develop a solid foothold in the growing sector of the economy linked to homeland security. Read complete article.

MICHIGAN SECURITY NETWORK FORMED TO ACCELERATE GROWTH OF HOMELAND SECURITY BUSINESS IN THE STATE | August 25, 2009 | DETROIT – Sixteen leading Michigan companies, universities and other groups have joined forces to create the Michigan Security Network as a platform from which to accelerate technology development, investment and jobs for the state in the fast-growing homeland security sector. Read complete release