Dawnbreaker, Inc. was selected by The International Academy of Visual Arts to receive a 2012 Communicator Award in the Government Website category for their United States Strategic Operation Commands Small Business Innovation Research (USSOCOM SBIR) program website. Dawnbreaker’s design team redesigned and launched the website on January 4, 2012 as part of the USSOCOM SBIR program, which works to leverage small business technology innovation for the Warfighter. In addition to their design work, Dawnbreaker specializes in business planning, market research and valuation in the commercial sector and transition planning.

The website Dawnbreaker, Inc.’s design team created for the USSOCOM SBIR program seeks to provide a visually appealing and intuitive site design intended to increase traffic to certain portions of the website – since the site launch in early 2012 the design team and USSOCOM have seen this increase occur. The entries in each award category are judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA) to evaluate distinction in creative work. Each year the Communicator Awards receive more than 6,000 entries, which are judged on their ability to make a lasting impact and transcend innovation and craft – regardless of the company’s size or project budget.

According to the Executive Director of IAVA, Linda Day, “The pool of entries we received for this year’s Communicator Awards serves as a true testament to the innovative ideas and capabilities of communications and marketing professionals around the world. Each year our entrants continue to amaze by reinventing the ways we communicate and market in an ever-changing industry.” Having worked with numerous government agencies and businesses Dawnbreaker’s design staff routinely provides customized, highly functional and visually appealing communication tools for these clients and continually seek to improve them. “Dawnbreaker is truly honored to receive this recognition for its work ” said Dawnbreaker President, Jenny Servo. Dawnbreaker’s Silver Award of Distinction in the Government Website category exemplifies the design team’s overarching philosophy that each page they design should be both visually appealing and easy to use.

The Forum is the culmination of the Navy Transition Assistance Program (TAP), an 11 month process undertaken each year in which Dawnbreaker works with approximately 200 small technology businesses to increase the likelihood that their technologies are transitioned to government and industry. Throughout the Navy TAP, Dawnbreaker guides small businesses to address commercialization issues including timelines, strategies, partnering and securing funding. As part of these efforts, Dawnbreaker’s diverse staff assists with preparing transition-focused marketing and communications materials and presentations, as well as securing approval for public release of these documents. Additionally, market research is provided to the small businesses focusing on the potential for transitioning the Navy SBIR-funded technology.

TAP participant Patrick W. Kalgren of Impact Technologies, LLC in Rochester, NY discussed the process, “Working diligently and patiently with select engineers, Dawnbreaker’s staff, through a disciplined process, has had a positive impact on the technology transition, product focus, and customer awareness crucial to realizing effective marketing and utilization of our technologies. The Navy Opportunity Forum provides the impetus for this work and is the springboard we use to launch our transition efforts.”

As the only event of its kind in the SBIR arena, the Forum provides a unique venue in which small businesses, government agencies and prime contractors are able to come together and discuss critical needs, and the technologies that can potentially address them. Throughout the course of the event, each small business gives a 15-minute presentation focusing on performance differentiators, readiness and the needs addressed by their Navy SBIR-funded technology projects. Additionally, more focused interactions are facilitated through planned and scheduled Strategic Introduction (SI) meetings between the small businesses and private sector attendees, principally the leading prime contractors. This year, 475 SI meetings were held along with 115 meetings between the small businesses and members of the acquisition community. These carefully orchestrated elements help participating small businesses achieve a 50-65% Phase III success rate within 18 months of the Forum. The aggregate amount of this near-term transition and commercialization funding ranges between $100 million to $220 million for each year’s group of Navy Opportunity Forum presenters.

Having worked within large corporations and small businesses, Dawnbreaker’s diverse staff understands the perspective and financial imperatives of both. In the TAP program, participating firms are assigned to a Business Acceleration Manager (BAM) who acts as their guide and mentor throughout the process. All BAMs have had “profit and loss” experience, and therefore understand the pressures felt by an entrepreneur and their investors. Participants also work with Dawnbreaker’s highly qualified Market Research and Graphics staff throughout the program. A key driver in the success of the culminating Forum is the unique ability of Dawnbreaker’s Outreach team to bring together a large, highly targeted audience for over 200 divergent projects.

About Dawnbreaker
Dawnbreaker specializes in providing commercialization assistance to small advanced technology firms and their investors. Since 1990 we have worked with over 3,400 firms that have received funding from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, the Advanced Technology Program (ATP), and others. Dawnbreaker is a Delaware C-Corporation, with its headquarters in Rochester, NY. The company has grown to our current level of 60 employees. We have been able to successfully grow, while maintaining the highest level of service to our customers and clients.

For more information about Dawnbreaker, Inc., visit www.dawnbreaker.com.

Several local firms head to Navy technology trade show hosted by local professional services firm, Dawnbreaker, Inc.The 11th annual Navy Opportunity Forum, sponsored by the Navy through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Transition Assistance Program (TAP), is scheduled for June 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City, VA. This event provides a venue for small, advanced technology firms to interact with key decision makers within the government, military organizations and prime contractors.

Over 200 technologies developed by small businesses funded by the Navy will be previewed and discussed, in addition to opportunities funded by the Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA). Of these, four local firms will present six projects over the course of the three-day event. These companies include, Impact Technologies, LLC of Rochester, OptiPro Systems LLC and Optimax Systems, Inc., both of Ontario and ASE Optics, of West Henrietta.

According to Patrick Kalgren, a manager at Impact Technologies,
“Working with Dawnbreaker has had a positive impact on the technology transition, product focus, and customer awareness crucial to realizing effective marketing and utilization of our technologies. The Navy Opportunity Forum provides the impetus for this work and is the springboard we use to launch our transition efforts.”

The Navy Opportunity Forum is the largest event of its kind. In 2010, the event brought roughly 500 small business personnel together with over 1,000 individuals from the Department of Defense (DoD), various government agencies, and industry. Highlights of the event include:

• Presentations by small businesses
• Tradeshow exhibits by small businesses
• Keynote speakers and plenary sessions by Navy personnel
• Strategic Introductions (SI) – Individual meetings scheduled beforehand with presenting firms

Dawnbreaker, Inc., the host of the Navy Opportunity Forum, is a small, woman-owned business that specializes in technology commercialization assistance and is headquartered in the Greater Rochester area. The company has worked with over 4,300 SBIR-funded projects since 1990. Dawnbreaker is a recipient of the national Tibbetts Award for excellence in meeting the goals and objectives of the SBIR program through the Small Business Administration (SBA). Dawnbreaker was also a 2009 recipient of the Rochester Business Ethics Award.

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During his recent district work period, Congressman Tom Reed, the Representative of the 29th District, stopped in to local, professional services firm, Dawnbreaker, Inc., late Thursday afternoon, May 19th, 2011. During his visit, the Congressman had an open question and answer period with staff. Topics ranged from the federal budget, implications of reaching the debt ceiling, and the important role small businesses play in the country’s economic growth. A central theme during the visit was the importance of encouraging the development of innovative small businesses throughout the local region.

“We’re thankful for Congressman Reeds visit to Dawnbreaker. It provided an opportunity to share with him the important work we undertake to spur economic development both locally and nationally through our work with innovative small businesses,” said Dr. Jenny Servo, president of Dawnbreaker.

Dawnbreaker, Inc. is a small, woman-owned business that specializes in technology commercialization assistance and is headquartered in the Greater Rochester area. The company has worked with over 4,300 SBIR-funded projects since 1990. Dawnbreaker is a recipient of the national Tibbetts Award for showing excellence in meeting the goals and objectives of the SBIR program through the Small Business Administration (SBA). Dawnbreaker was also a 2009 recipient of the Rochester Business Ethics Award.

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Contact: Nick Monin
(585) 617–9404
nmonin@dawnbreaker.com

Additional Members Expand Geography and Capability

Mahwah, NJ: Clean Energy Alliance, Inc. (CEA), the national association of clean energy business incubators, announced today that six clean energy businesses have joined the organization. At a general membership meeting held on Tuesday, January 18th, unanimously accepted as members were: CleanLaunch, Denver, CO; Enterprise Development Center, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ; Louisiana Business and Technology Center, Baton Rouge, LA; Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization, Incline Village, NV; New Jersey Meadowlands Commission Business Accelerator, Lyndhurst, NJ; and Dawnbreaker, Inc., Rochester, NY.

“The expansion of the Clean Energy Alliance, founded in 2000 by DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is an exciting demonstration of the interest in furthering the commercial development of clean energy technologies in the United States,” said James F. Groelinger, CEA’s Executive Director. He continued: “Through continuing expansion, the Clean Energy Alliance will become the pre-eminent source of the commercialization support that is so vital to entrepreneurs that are creatively and aggressively developing a stunning range of technologies that will create new energy sources and enhance our ability to manage all of our energy resources more effectively and efficiently.”

Charles Russomanno, Program Manager of the new DOE SBIR Phase III Xlerator Program, commented: “This increase in CEA’s membership is great news. It validates the creation last year of the DOE Small Business and Clean Energy Alliance Partnership. Our objective is to enable CEA members to provide entrepreneurial mentoring and commercialization support to DOE-funded small advanced technology firms throughout the country, particularly SBIR/STTR Phase I and Phase II recipients, as well as participants in the DOE Phase III Xlerator Program. With CEA’s expanded reach and capabilities, I am confident that the Partnership will successfully support more of the qualifying companies, with commensurate increases in our ability to save existing and create new U.S. manufacturing jobs, enhance our energy security, and increase U.S. competitiveness in a fierce and rapidly changing global economy.”

David Specca, CEA’s Chairman and the Assistant Director of the Rutgers EcoComplex, said: “We’re very excited to welcome these new members into the Clean Energy Alliance. The new members will be a great addition to our network throughout the U.S. because of their geographic diversity and broad business development experience. We will continue to welcome clean energy business incubators, as well as companies that share the objectives of the Clean Energy Alliance, to strengthen the development, demonstration, and commercial deployment of new clean energy technologies at local, regional, and national levels.

About the Clean Energy Alliance: The Clean Energy Alliance (CEA), founded by NREL, is an expanding national association of leading business incubators and other entities dedicated to providing business and financial services tailored to the needs of the clean energy community. CEA member incubators, in addition to the new members, are located in California (Environmental Business Cluster, San Jose and CleanStart/McClellan Technology Incubator, McClellan), New Mexico (Technology Ventures Corporation, Albuquerque), Texas (ATI Clean Energy Incubator, Austin), Kansas (Enterprise Center of Johnson County, Lenexa), Alabama (Biztech, Huntsville, and Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, Mobile), Florida (Technological Research and Development Authority, Melbourne) Georgia (Georgia Institute of Technology-Venture Lab, Atlanta), Virginia (National Institute for the Commercialization of Clean Energy, Blackstone), New Jersey (Rutgers EcoComplex, Bordentown), and New York (Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center, Albany). See www.cleanenergyalliance.com.

About CleanLaunch, Denver, CO: The CleanLaunch Technology Incubator’s mission is to stimulate the development and success of early-stage companies who will provide the next generation of clean, renewable, and efficient energy technologies. CleanLaunch helps clean tech companies assemble solid management teams, secure adequate funding, and accelerate the commercialization of sound product ideas into the market. CleanLaunch provides business advisory services (legal, accounting, finance, sales and marketing), fundraising preparation and introduction to investment capital providers, and low-cost turn-key office, industrial, and research space. See www.cleanlaunch.com.

About the Enterprise Development Center, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ: Since 1988, the EDC — the Enterprise Development Center — operated by New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has given startups a critical edge, from finding the right working space and attracting investment capital to building staff and developing effective business plans and marketing strategies. The EDC has graduated over 85 successful businesses. Residence at the EDC is open to early-stage companies that have, or will have, proprietary technology as a significant source of revenue. The nearly 90 companies currently housed at the EDC employ over 300 people and have attracted more than $55 million in third-party funding. See www.njit-edc.org/.

About the Louisiana Business and Technology Center, Baton Rouge, LA: The Louisiana Business & Technology Center (LBTC), a technology incubator at the LSU Innovation Park and the NBIA 2005 Incubator of the Year, has a number of companies in clean energy, renewable energy, and green technologies at the 200 acre research park has set aside approximately 25 acres for clean energy clients. The LBTC has strong backing from Louisiana State University (College of Engineering and others) for providing technology, equipment, researchers, and students working in clean energy technologies. Our staff has business counselors that focus on green tech and clean and renewable energy. See www.bus.LSU.edu/LBTC.

About the Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization, Incline Village, NV: The Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization (NIREC) is a 501(c)(3) independent nonprofit organization integrating researchers, experienced entrepreneurs, business executives, and financial capital to identify, fund, and accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy solutions. With a focus on renewable energy, energy conservation, and energy efficiency technologies, NIREC works with its research partners and early-stage companies nationwide to transform clean energy ideas into sustainable enterprises. See www.nirec.org.

About the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission Business Accelerator, Lyndhurst, NJ: A project of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, the NJMC Business Accelerator is focused on renewable and alternative energy and other sustainable green technology and service businesses. The Accelerator is committed to providing the resources and support companies need to reduce the time it takes to commercialize and become self-sustaining businesses. The facility is located in the heart of the Meadowlands which serves as a test bed for a number of environmental technologies. See www.njmcaccelerator.com/.

About Dawnbreaker, Inc., Rochester, NY: Dawnbreaker, a woman-owned small business based in Rochester, NY, specializes in providing commercialization assistance to small advanced technology firms that work in the energy, defense, space, and medical arenas. Since 1990, the company has worked with nearly 5,000 firms that have received funding from the SBIR, STTR, ATP, and other programs. The combined sales and investment in the firms Dawnbreaker has assisted exceed two billion dollars. The company’s first commercialization program was developed for the DOE SBIR program, and as continuation of the company’s commitment to clean energy, Dawnbreaker recently entered into a partnership with the Rochester Institute of Technology to host an energy portal, providing cutting-edge information to energy researchers and small businesses. See www.dawnbreaker.com/.

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For more information or to schedule an interview with James Groelinger, please contact him at (609) 516-7669 or email jgroelinger@cleanenergyalliance.com.

Several distinguished keynote speakers and panelists were also a part of the Forum. Some of the notable speakers included, the RADM Nevin P. Carr, Jr., Chief of Naval Research, Mr. James Thomsen, Principal Civilian Deputy Assistant Secretary (RD&A), and Ms. Karen Mills, Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration; and Mr. Earl C. Wyatt, Director of Rapid Fielding in the office of the Director, Defense Research and Engineering.

John Williams, Director, Navy SBIR/STTR and T2 programs said that the 2010 Forum was an, “outstanding event and I heard over and over again best ever. Everyone on the Navy and Dawnbreaker team did an excellent job!” The 2010-2011 Navy TAP Kick Off will be held July 14, 2010 and the 2011 Navy Opportunity Forum will be held June 6-8.

The Hon. Claude M. Bolton, Jr.

The Honorable Claude M. Bolton, Jr. became the Executive-In-Residence for the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) on Jan. 3, 2008 and in this position, he supports the DAU president, faculty and students with strategic planning, courses development and mentoring. Previously, Mr. Bolton served as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASAALT). As the ASA (ALT), Mr. Bolton served as the Army Acquisition Executive (AAE), the Senior Procurement Executive, and the Science Advisor to the Secretary. Mr. Bolton was also the senior research and development official for the Department of the Army, and had principal responsibility for all Dept. of the Army matters related to logistics.

As the ASAALT/AAE, Mr. Bolton was responsible for the execution of the Army’s acquisition function and acquisition management system. His responsibilities included providing oversight for the life cycle management and sustainment of Army weapons systems and equipment, from research and development through test, evaluation, acquisition, logistics, fielding, and disposition. In addition, Mr. Bolton oversaw the Elimination of Chemical Weapons Program, and had oversight and executive authority over the Project and Contracting Office charged with Iraq reconstruction. Mr. Bolton was responsible for appointing, managing, and evaluating program executive officers as well as managing the Army Acquisition Corps and Army Acquisition Workforce.

A veteran of more than 30 years of active military service, Mr. Bolton retired as a Major General in the United States Air Force (USAF). During his distinguished career, he served as the Commander, Air Force Security Assistance Center, where he managed foreign military sales programs with totals exceeding $90 billion that supported more than 80 foreign countries. He was a test pilot for the F-4, F-111, and F-16, the Program Executive Officer for the Air Force Fighter and Bomber programs, and the first Program Manager for the Advance Tactical Fighter Technologies program, which evolved into the F-22 System Program Office. An experienced command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours in more than 40 different aircraft including Army helicopters; during the Vietnam War he flew 232 combat missions, 40 over North Vietnam. Mr. Bolton served as commandant of the Defense Systems Management College, as special assistant to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, and as Inspector General and director of requirements at Air Force Materiel Command headquarters.

Rear Admiral Stephen A. Turcotte, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Turcotte is currently serving as the President of Advanced Ceramics Manufacturing (ACM), of Tucson, Arizona.  ACM is a joint venture partnership between San Xavier Development Authority and Advanced Ceramics Research. A native of Patuxent River, Md,. Turcotte grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich. and graduated from Marquette University with a B.S. in Political Science in December 1975. A member of the NROTC in college, Turcotte received his designation as a naval aviator in 1977.
 
In December 1980, Rear Adm. Turcotte reported to VS-41 as a flight instructor and NATOPS Model Manager.In May 1983, he was assigned as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander Sixth Fleet deploying to the eastern Mediterranean. He was embarked during the hostilities in southern Lebanon, including the bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks, the retaliatory air strikes, and the subsequent actions. Beginning in November 1985, Rear Adm. Turcotte served as the stand-up coordinator for VS-27 (the S-3B Fleet Replacement Squadron) at NAS Cecil Field. He also served as the Operations Officer and Training Director. In November 1988, he reported to VS-22 as Maintenance Officer deploying to the Mediterranean aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67).
 
Turcotte was deployed to the western Pacific during the Iranian Hostage Crisis and embarked with the Sixth Fleet to the eastern Mediterranean during the hostilities in southern Lebanon. In 1992, he assumed command of the VS-24 squadron, attached to the USS Theodore Roosevelt. He became the 48th Commander of the Naval Safety Center (NSC) in January 2002. The NSC is  the Navy’s leading organization responsible for accident investigations, mishap analysis and dissemination of information to the fleet. While there, he served as Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, from September to December 2002 and as a member of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. Admiral Turcotte assumed command of the Mid-Atlantic Region in August of 2003, serving until November 2005.
Turcotte has flown more than 5,500 flight hours in 15 different aircraft, and logged over 500 carrier landings. He has received various awards during his distinguished career including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal.

Through 20 years as a government contractor, Dawnbreaker has established itself as an innovative, professional business services vendor. The company has now expanded its services through the AIMS schedule to include the following services:

• Advertising Services (541 1)
• Public Relations Services (541 2)
• Web Based Marketing Services – Small Business Set Aside (541 3)
• Market Research & Analysis Services (541 4A)
• Conference, Events & Trade Show Planning Services, Small Business Set Aside (541 4D)
• Commercial Art & Graphic Design Services – Small Business Set Aside (541 4F)

For more information on utilizing Dawnbreaker’s marketing communications services, please contact:

Dr. Jenny C. Servo, Ph.D.
Dawnbreaker, Inc.
P (585) 594-8641
F (585) 594-8623
jcservo@dawnbreaker.com