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Thomas L. Baptiste Lieutenant General, United States Air Force (Ret.)

Thomas L. Baptiste Lieutenant General, United States Air Force (Ret.). Current President/Executive Director of the National Center for Simulation His 34 year military career culminated as Deputy Chairman, NATO Military Committee Entered the Air Force in 1973 F-4 and F-16 Instructor/Pilot

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Thomas L. Baptiste Lieutenant General, United States Air Force (Ret.)

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  1. Thomas L. BaptisteLieutenant General,United States Air Force (Ret.) • Current President/Executive Director of the National Center for Simulation • His 34 year military career culminated as Deputy Chairman, NATO Military Committee • Entered the Air Force in 1973 • F-4 and F-16 Instructor/Pilot • Command Pilot who has flown nearly 3,000 hours, including 60 combat hours, in the F-16 supporting Operation Provide Comfort

  2. Thomas L. BaptisteLieutenant General,United States Air Force (Ret.) • Major Awards and Decorations • Defense Distinguished Service Medal • Defense Superior Service Medal • Defense Meritorious Service Medal • Meritorious Service Medal • Air Medal • Joint Service Commendation Medal • Air Force Commendation Medal • Combat Readiness Medal

  3. Orange County—the epicenter of the world’s Modeling, Simulation & Training (MS&T) Industry“Team Orlando--A Unique Collaboration of Academia, Industry & Smart Government Dedicated to Improving Human Performance Through Simulation” Thomas L. Baptiste, Lt Gen, USAF (Ret) President/Executive Director9 April 2013

  4. MS&T Economic Impact • More than 1,000 Florida companies & organizations involved in MS&T* • Sector directly employs more than 27,000 Floridians* • Average approximate annual salary of $69,797* • Team Orlando reports average annual salaries in the Research Park of $82,000+ • More than $4.8B to Florida’s Gross State Product* • Nearly $8.0B in state sales (economic output) activity* • “Team Orlando” Commands employ nearly 2,800 military & civilian personnel in the Research Park* • More than 60,700 jobs impact (direct, indirect & induced) on Florida’s employment* *Source: Tucker/Hall, September 2012 study, “Impacts of Florida Modeling, Simulation & Training”, sponsored by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) for the National Center for Simulation (NCS)

  5. Base Realignment & Closure (BRAC) in 2015 & 2017? BRAC represents a Challenge and an Opportunity!!! A

  6. BRAC in 2015? • Declining Defense Budgets have resulted in a request from President Obama for 2 rounds of BRAC in 2013 & 2015 • Neither the House or the Senate supported his initial request • The President’s Budget for 2014 will likely have a second request for 2 rounds of BRAC in 2015 & 2017 • Additional cuts due to sequestration make this even more likely State level preparations for a round of BRAC in 2015 • Governor Scott formed the Florida Defense Support Task Force (FDSTF) • Funding to support mitigation efforts was appropriated in the last two legislative sessions • Contracts were awarded to the Principi & Spectrum Groups • The Spectrum Group conducted SWOT Analyses of all Florida Installations • The Principi & Spectrum Groups will now shift to an advocacy role • Their findings and recommendations will guide the Central Florida community preparations as we move forward

  7. Community Preparations • The Metro Orlando Defense Task Force has been formed • A broad cross section of Stakeholders have been identified & a2-3 year resource estimate has been agreed • Each confirmed stakeholder has identified a ROM contribution to fund the community effort—commitments are being confirmed Confirmed PartnersOther Potential PartnersOffice of the Orange County Mayor Osceola CountyOffice of the Orlando Mayor Lake CountySeminole County Brevard CountyMetro Orlando EDC Other Area Communities Central Florida Partnership Private IndustryFlorida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) Others???University of Central Florida (UCF)Central Florida Research Park (CFRP)National Center for Simulation (NCS)

  8. Task Force Actions to Date • The task force has agreed & established a governance structure • A detailed action plan has been produced to guide our efforts • The plan is designed to protect the current military infrastructure & includes specific initiatives to leverage the opportunity of BRAC to attract more Industry, Academia & Government to Central Florida • A proposal was taken to the FDSTF on 8 Jan to seek funding to match our community commitments—the FDSTF awarded us $350,000 • 25-26 Feb, visit to Capitol Hill led by Congressman Mica • 13-15 Mar, follow-up trip with Central Florida Partnership • 3-4 Apr, visit to Governor Scott & selected members of the FL House and FL Senate • Recruit legislative champions • Continue to fund the FDSTF (defer to Senate mark) • We will be back between sessions with options to solve the Team Orlando infrastructure shortfall (our most critical vulnerability) & an ask for state support

  9. Silent BRAC!!!

  10. Action Requested • Approval of funding in the total amount of $75,000 to the Metro Orlando Defense Task Force to be paid out over a 3-year period in $25,000 increments, annually and authorization for the Mayor to execute an agreement with the Metro Orlando Defense Task Force on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners.

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