Catherine D. Henry Appointed as President of LA Chapter

We are excited to announce Catherine D. Henry as our LA Chapter President. A renowned global leader in the Metaverse and Web3 media and technology, Catherine is a strategic advisor to Boards and executive management teams, shaping how the world’s most successful companies will enter, market and monetize this new media landscape. She has developed successful branded AR experiences, VR films and documentaries and the first Awards Show in the Metaverse. 

“I am honored to lead the VRARA in Los Angeles as Chapter President and Industry vertical lead for Entertainment. As a leader in Metaverse and Web3 media and technology, I bring extensive experience as a strategic advisor to Boards and executive management teams, helping craft how the world’s most successful brands identify will enter, market and monetize the new media landscape. I am excited to help grow awareness of the possibilities of this medium for entertainment, enterprise, education and research by driving discourse and thought leadership in this emerging and important space. Please feel free to connect with me as we begin to build our agenda for 2023!”

With an MBA in Marketing and MA in Economics, Catherine D. Henry brings over 20 years experience as an institutional advisor on frontier technologies in investment banking, and driving thought leadership on global megatrends.  She is a futurist, a keynote speaker and the author of a forthcoming book about GenZ and Web3.  Catherine was recently awarded Campaign magazine’s top 40 executives in media for 2022-2023.

She currently sits on the board of advisors for the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), The SXSW advisory board (2023) and is Chapter President of the VRAR Association of Los Angeles.

US Air Force Awards Ingalls $4.2 Million SIBR Phase III Contract to Advance Cybersecurity Assurance Readiness (CSAR)

Press Release originally appearing on iinfotech.com

Woodworth, LA: Ingalls Information Security (“Ingalls”) has won a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract to support the US Air Force in their efforts to on-board innovative XR (Mixed Reality) technologies and manage the Authorization To Operate (ATO) requirements necessary to do so. This multi-year, Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) Phase III contract is being awarded for the enhancement and maintenance of a Cybersecurity Assurance Readiness (CSAR) tool developed by Ingalls.

Jason Ingalls, Founder & CEO of Ingalls says, “We are thrilled to receive this contract award to continue support of CSAR for the next three years. Ingalls is a proud supporter of the US Air Force’s effort to innovate at the speed of relevance.”

CSAR will support the DoD’s mission to field systems at the “speed of innovation” while ensuring cybersecurity requirements are met. CSAR is improving the ATO process by:

• Transforming AF Mandatory forms into easy, manageable sections presented in a logical and sequential format enabling speedy determination of categorization, baseline controls, and assessment path – answering once to eliminate duplication of questions.

• Identifying baseline security controls (technical, operational, and management), building threat matrices, and informing risk while the application is being developed – building in security, not bolting it on.

• Reducing lead time for compliance by assessing applications with an agile, DevSecOps approach.

• Providing a dashboard view for visibility of key cybersecurity controls assessed in the software factory pipeline combined with operational and management controls for supply chain risk management.

• Offering a technology-enabled solution with expert “Human-in-the-Loop" support at key Checkpoints.

“CSAR will change the “snapshot in time” and paper drill compliance approach to a culture where automation and real-time continuous risk monitoring is tightly coupled with supply chain risk management and integrated software factories - which is what the DoD has been striving for,” says Ms. Brandi Pickett, Director of Government Programs.

Ingalls will enhance CSAR with capabilities that enhance visibility into the ATO status of any enrolled project, for both Authorizing Official staff and the Risk Management Team.

Ingalls is working closely with Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Simulations Division Innovation Cell, Dynepic’s MOTAR Team, and stakeholders participating in the Lightweight Simulator Ecosystem (LSE). The collaboration is fostering a built-in, not bolted-on, cybersecurity attitude.

CSAR builds upon the Air Force (AF) Simulators Division’s Simulator Common Architecture Requirements and Standards (SCARS) umbrella initiative by establishing approved baselines, cybersecurity roadmaps, and policies needed for an increased focus on commonality and interoperability for all DoD training efforts. CSAR advances AF commitment for Continuous ATO state, Software Modernization Transformation, and active cyber monitoring.

If you’d like to learn more, please contact us here and follow us on LinkedIn.

About Ingalls

Ingalls has provided cybersecurity consulting, testing, managed detection and incident response services since 2010.  Operating in war rooms and boardrooms, and investigating computer networks targeted by criminals and nation-state-sponsored hackers, Ingalls’ experience hones a powerful edge in preventing and responding to cyberattacks.  The company’s core focus is establishing Louisiana as a cybersecurity center of excellence. 

Media Contact

Brandi Pickett, Director of Government Programs brandi.pickett@iinfosec.com 

AVATAR Partners, Inc. partners with AVERtek to develop AR apps in experiential 4th dimension storytelling

Learn the latest during our VR/AR Global Summit ONLINE Conference + Expo June 1-3

Huntington Beach, CA – April 27, 2020 – AVATAR Partners, Inc. (API) is pleased to announce its strategic alliance partnership with AVERtek of Garden Grove, CA, bringing Extended Reality and Mixed Reality to experiential story telling.  AVERtek is a mixed reality agency that takes any print media into the 4th dimension. Founder Michael Renzi heads up a team who collectively have nearly 20 years of experience in Mixed Reality.  The power to convert print into a digital medium allows companies and brands to develop a personal connection with their prospects/customers by superimposing computer-generated images over reality. 

Extended Reality (XR) technology has proven its value for industrial use and as a powerful training tool. AVERtek’s mission is to bring this powerful communication and engagement tool to all types and sizes of business. It’s this mission statement that propelled AVERtek to develop an agnostic Universal XR-ASAP app, using Enhanced Hybrid Application technology, allowing multiple brands to provide Augmented Reality (AR) experiences for both their prospects and customers. The XR-ASAP App is free to both companies and users,  representing a one-time download into a portal of multiple brand experiences. AVERtek’s  approach has allowed any size company to venture into the realm of AR possibilities easily, quickly and at a low entry cost -- paving the way for AVERtek to develop additional XR  programs that lay the foundation for companies to utilize the vast power of this technology that directly engages people inside and outside their business.

At AVATAR Partners, we thrive on pioneering innovative solutions. Our teaming up with AVERtek is a continued step forward into the next dimension in mixed reality,” stated Marlo Brooke, CEO of AVATAR Partners.

About AVATAR Partners, Inc.

AVATAR Partners, Inc.’s (API) offers best-in-class Extended, Augmented and Mixed Reality software and solutions for the real world. Founded in 2003 API’s mission is to strengthen American commercial industry and warfighter readiness with innovative solutions, Simplifying Complex Systems® - increasing the efficiency, safety and effectiveness of equipment, systems and processes - at the point of need, cost effectively. 

For the past 15 years, API has developed and sustained innovative training systems, job performance aids, and software products for hundreds of military and commercial equipment and aircraft. 

AVATAR Partners is a woman-owned small business based in Huntington Beach, CA with offices in Arlington, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.

CONTACT

Name: Bart Young

Email Address: byoung@youngcompany.com

Website URL: http://www.avatarpartners.com

Orange Coast College (OCC) in Southern California VR/AR program of study

When it comes to Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), the possibilities are endless. With VRARA member Orange Coast College (OCC) in Southern California, coalescing these possibilities into high-wage, high-growth careers is now a reality. Guided by the expert instruction of Scott Broberg and Matt Newman, and under the direction of Career Education Dean, Lisa Knupple, OCC's VR/AR program of study culminates in a Certificate of Achievement. Students gain entry-level skills to enter the growing field of immersive media. Says Broberg, in a recent issue OCC Magazine, "This is the perfect time for our students to go through a program like this and get out into the industry." Access to the full article is here and for more info email
Amy Kaufman orange@thevrara.com

Get your Company Featured in our VR AR Ecosystem Reports

VRARA's 50+ Chapters are producing industry reports on the regional VR/AR ecosystems to promote companies and organizations involved with immersive technologies and media from NYC to Sydney, across the world.  The reports will be promoted by VRARA and our partners reaching potentially a 1M audience. 

Would you be interested to have your company featured in these report or sponsor the report? If yes, then let us know at info@thevrara.com 

Each report will specifically highlight the following:

• Size of the local ecosystem market

• Number of relevant companies in the ecosystem

• List of companies and company info (size: number of employees, revenue; vertical, customers)

• Reasons why company is based in the local ecosystem

• Needs and hopes from and for the ecosystem

If you have any questions or are interested in being featured or sponsor, please reply to this email or email info@thevrara.com

Recap of VRARA LA Event - Investor Summit

By Natalie Cole, VRARA LA Chapter

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales inc comparison to what lies inside of you.”

Even though those words were said quite some time ago, it still holds true. This statement is the best description that described the energy that radiated from The Fox Innovation Plaza on the evening of Tuesday, June 27th. Passion and determination emitted from the selected few who was privileged enough to take part in the VRARA Los Angeles Chapter’s 2017 Investor Summit The Path to Funding.

The Summit took place at the coveted and innovative space of the Fox Innovation Lab which is located at the Fox Plaza on the rightly named street called Avenue of the Stars. Attendees walked into a bustling mix of varied members in the VR/AR community as they greeted one another, enjoyed cool glasses of wine on a hot Los Angeles evening and enjoyed light refreshments.

The Panel: The Path to Funding was led by the LA Chapter Vice President: Doug Lorenzen who led the discussion of the certified informed experts. The panel consisted of Gregory Milken (March Capital), Anu Bhardwa (Women Investing in Women), Barry Downes (Sur Valley Ventures), Selina Troesch (Touchdown VC), and Francis Pollara of (Luma Launch VC).

From left to right: Doug Lorenzen (VRARA VP), Francis Pollara (Luma Launch VC), Gregory Milken (March Capital), Selina Troesch (Touchdown VC), Anu Bhardwa (Women Investing in Women)

The energy was on high and the passion was evident. It was a place and space where people can come together to not only be inspired but to have access to speak to people, they only dare to. To contribute and to be able to foster relationships within the VR/AR community, well that is what we aim to do and in this case, we can say: Mission Accomplished!

Our hosts and speakers had some great feedback on the event:

Clayton Biele,  Director of Fox Innovation Lab stated  “We just had the honor of sponsoring and hosting the VRAR Association event here at the Fox Plaza and the Fox Innovation Lab. It seemed to all go off well without a hitch. We had a number of companies come up and do pitches and I thought they were very well received. I think that going forward we really need more of these types of events to spread the community outreach and get the awareness growing for AR, MR and VR, especially as we grow the market.”

Sophie Wright, Co-Founder / COO of Human Interact “I really appreciate the opportunity to get a chance to pitch at some VC’s. This is going to help put me in touch with the people that I need to talk to to help complete our vision of making truly interactive movies and VR. These folks have the resources and we have the vision and you guys have basically put us together in a room. We couldn’t ask for a better situation to happen.”

Anu Bhardwa from Women Investing in Women - “I thought it was a great event  and it was informative for me also meeting some awesome co-panelists. In terms of the audience questions, I think they were totally on point. I think it’s really great that you are putting this together because everyone needs to have a fundamental knowledge of how to raise capital.”

Francis Pollara with Luma Launch VC stated “I really enjoyed the event and had great conversations and everyone participating was really open and challenging their thoughts on AR and VR and they were thinking about the state of the market”

Gregory Milken from March Capital - “I thought it was a great event networking to meet all the VR/AR companies who are doing exciting things in the early stages in the Los Angeles area. I am really excited about the opportunity for future companies and great big businesses in the digital media and the VR/AR space.”

And the feedback didn't stop there as attendees wanted to share their experience as well: 

“I am so thankful for a place where we can come and discover what is happening in the industry. It’s moving so fast and quickly. The networking that we are able to do here and the ideas that we are able to share, really helps us to stay at the forefront for the industry.”

“It was absolutely an amazing event. We really appreciate the knowledge that was brought here and just the level of camaraderie in the community. I didn’t know anybody coming in and I am leaving with a whole bunch of people who I can reach out and get a bunch of different questions answered as well as who I can have my future opportunities with as well.”

Once again, we are so grateful to Fox Innovation Lab for hosting and to TriNet for sponsoring the event!

We look forward to seeing you at the next one!

Until next time…

Watch the full video below: