Former CIA Leader Commemorates the Caucus’ Launch

On June 24, North Carolina's National Security Technology & Innovation (NSTI) Caucus celebrated its launch at Raleigh Founded. Industry and university leaders from across the state gathered with members and staff of the North Carolina General Assembly to mark the occasion. The event was standing room only — reflective of the energy and readiness across the whole community to organize and accelerate North Carolina’s leadership in technologies and manufacturing critical to U.S. national security.

Caucus co-chairs Senator Jay Chaudhuri and Representative Mike Schietzelt offered remarks to open the event. They stressed the importance of national security and defense funding to ensuring North Carolina’s universities remain at the forefront of innovation and that the state is both growing and attracting game-changing companies.

The highlight of the evening was a fireside chat with the Honorable Michael Morell, twice Acting Director of the CIA, founding partner of Aardwolf Global Solutions, and one of the nation's foremost national security experts. The conversation was moderated by Dr. Julia Allen, founder of a new defense manufacturer and member of the board of the N.C. Critical Technologies Alliance.

The conversation with Mr. Morell was a rare chance to hear, candidly, how the world looks from the highest levels of the intelligence community. He shared first-hand accounts of the moments after 9/11, the hunt for Osama bin Laden, and successes and failures in U.S. national security.

The Honorable Michael Morell, twice Acting Director of the CIA, shares his insights in a fireside chat moderated by Dr. Julia Allen.

Caucus Co-Chairs Senators Jay Chaudhuri and Bob Brinson commemorating the NSTI Caucus’ launch with the Honorable Michael Morell.

The message was clear: the men and women responsible for our nation’s security have some of the hardest jobs in the world. They need and deserve to have every advantage possible. Unfortunately, their jobs are only getting harder. The world is a fundamentally different place than it was just a few years ago, and the pace of change isn't slowing.

The technologies and the capabilities needed to defend the country are not built at the policy level. They are built on the ground in states, communities, companies, and research institutions across the country. North Carolina has an opportunity, if not an obligation, to do all it can to lead the way in developing and scaling solutions critical to American security and prosperity.

Mr. Morell commended the NSTI Caucus and everybody in the room for their collective efforts to ensure North Carolina is at the forefront of national security innovation.

The incredible turnout by industry, academia, and community leaders reinforced for members of the NSTI Caucus and the General Assembly that community — including the entire First in Defense coalition — stands ready to help them drive change and bring North Carolina from the bottom half of the country in defense spending to the top.

Caucus co-chair Senator Bob Brinson drove the point home in his closing remarks: Now is the time for North Carolina to take bold steps. He shared that in the coming weeks, the caucus will be visiting with organizations across the state to understand opportunities and challenges for North Carolina’s defense economy. Early on the agenda are visits to Duke’s Quantum Center, NC State’s Defense & Security Institute, Vulcan Elements, MSI Defense, and UNC Charlotte’s National Defense & Intelligence Innovation Institute.

Members of the General Assembly interested in joining the NSTI Caucus or who are curious to learn about particular national security topics are encouraged to reach to the caucus co-chairs or the N.C. Critical Technologies Alliance.

North Carolina is primed to lead. With the launch of the NSTI Caucus, the state now has an organized effort within the General Assembly to make sure it happens.

Congratulations to all of the caucus co-chairs — Senators Chaudhuri and Brinson, and Representatives Schietzelt and Smith — on this momentous achievement.

Thank you for your leadership.