This week’s Hoover Technology Roundtable was the best yet! (Although to date I haven’t been able to find a literal round table that large…)
We heard a quick update on tech workforce development from Dr. Ron Dodson, the newly appointed director of the RC3 Skilled Trades Center for Hoover City Schools. In our last meeting leaders from companies around Hoover provided valuable input to Dr. Dodson. It was pretty cool to see this feedback having direct results on such an important part of our school system’s educational effort.
Then Daniel Clemens, founder of Packet Ninjas and Shadowdragon, showed how they are using tech based methodologies and tools to investigate, document, and ultimately prosecute human traffickers. They partner with a non-profit called Deliverfund, and their efforts have resulted in over 150 detailed probable-cause dossiers handed over to law enforcement for investigation and prosecution. Packet Ninjas and Shadowdragon are cybersecurity companies based here in Hoover.
We wrapped up the meeting with a tour of Hoover’s 911 call center. Linda Moore, our director of 911/dispatch with decades of experience, showed how Hoover uses a powerful combination of technology and people to serve critical functions when seconds count. I love seeing the look on people’s face when they first walk into the center. It’s stunning both visually and for the lifeline it represents.
We’ll be scheduling more meetings soon. If you’re a technologist who lives or works in Hoover, please let me know and I’ll include you in the next invite. We’d love to have you involved!