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Archive for July, 2011

Haley Strategic Partners Giveaway – Day 3

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Each day, the prizes just seem to get better. ‘Tag” yourself for a chance to win a BCM GUNFIGHTERâ„¢ MOD4 Charging Handle, a pair of HSGI Taco pouches in Multicam and a Surefire EWP-01 pen! Make sure you check the rules before tagging. Visit www.Facebook.com to ‘tag’ yourself.

Whiskey 5 – ADS Ventures

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

This is the first of a new feature on SSD called “Whiskey 5” for the five “Ws”. It asks “Who, What, Where, When, & Why” of industry leaders. It is intended to give you a more in-depth look at the individuals and firms that make our industry unique. We have found that these basic 5 questions are the most basic keys to understanding. We hope you enjoy this first installment featuring ADS Ventures.

WHO

ADS Ventures is an independent government relations, public policy and business development firm with offices in Boston, Massachusetts and Washington, DC.

Our mission is helping companies and institutions, large and small, understand how public policy decisions can impact their business. We leverage subject matter experience and deep knowledge of government process to help clients identify strategic growth opportunities, form critical partnerships with Legislative and Administration stakeholders and manage the risks inherent with a constantly changing political landscape.

WHAT

ADS Ventures was founded in 1993 by a former Member of the US House of Representatives, Chet Atkins and his colleague Alan D. Solomont (“ADS”), the current US Ambassador to Spain. The Firm has grown consistently since then into a full service bi-partisan consulting firm. David Costello, the former Business Manager for Malden Mills Industries (now Polartec, LLC) joined ADS Ventures in 2003 and has been responsible for developing the firms’ defense practice.

In 2010, Gen. David McKiernan (USA-Ret.) and Vice Admiral Barry Costello (USN-Ret.) joined the ADS Ventures team to provide clients with strategic counsel on issues of defense, homeland security and crisis management. The ADS Ventures team is comprised of public policy, business development and communications specialists with deep knowledge of Capitol Hill and the Defense industry.

The ADS Ventures team has a strong track record of helping companies grow their business in the warfighter protection and tactical equipment industry, by working closely with manufacturers and distributors across the supply chain with an emphasis on incorporating real world feedback from end users.

In short, our job is to understand the increasingly complex structure of legislative policy and Department of Defense acquisition procedure and apply that knowledge to help our clients identify and seize opportunities.

WHEN ­

ADS Ventures was formed in 1993. In 2003, Managing Director David Costello joined ADS Ventures after having served as Business Manager for Malden Mills Industries (presently Polartec, LLC). Gen. McKiernan and V.Adm. Costello joined the firm in 2010. ADS Ventures opened its Washington, DC office in 2011.

WHERE

ADS Ventures is based in Boston, MA. The firm now also has an office and a permanent presence in Washington, DC.

ADS Ventures represents companies from across the country and has a deep understanding of the issues they face when trying to compete in the domestic manufacturing sector. We work to build coalitions, forge partnerships across sectors and amongst competitors, and leverage developments in public policy to their benefit. ADS Ventures specializes in business development strategies that include:

• Public policy strategy development and execution.
• Federal and state government relations.
• Product Development.
• Coalition building and grassroots advocacy.
• Strategic communications.

WHY ­

ADS Ventures is proud of the role it plays in raising awareness of warfighter needs on Capitol Hill and working to improve the environment for domestic manufacturers. It is a constant challenge to compete for the resources necessary to develop and field mission-critical equipment for US service members. This situation will become more difficult, as the Department of Defense and the federal government in general look for ways to create efficiencies and save money. Budgets will be scrutinized and resources will be constrained. There is a significant risk that without the necessary levels of awareness in Congress, programs for tactical equipment and warfighter clothing could be underfunded or ignored amidst the clamor to sustain much costlier weapons and vehicle platforms.

The industry our clients occupy is a fragmented industry made up of many small companies that dedicate their hard work and innovation to support the evolving needs of the warfighter. ADS Ventures has great respect for the entrepreneurs and workers who choose to do their business here in the United States and choose, despite the many challenges, to build them for the protection of American service members.

www.adsventures.net

CamoRigs Is Now Live

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

The much anticipated website CamoRigs.com is now live. An offshoot of SKD Tactical, CamoRigs was born out of a dirty back-seat union between the Tactical and Skydiving communities. They offer sport containers in Genuine Crye MultiCam, Desert and Temperate MARPAT (Commercial), Woodland, Army Universal Camo and Tri-Color Desert, as well as other patterns. They also have in-house products, such as the Magnetic Slider Keeper, Packing Mat and Canopy Bag, all designed and made right here in the USA.

Keep an eye peeled for 2012, when they will be launching a new line of skydiving gloves called Valkyrie, a purpose-made glove for jumping that actually fits like a glove.

www.camorigs.com

Cane and Derby 20% for 24 Hours Sale Is On

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Cane & Derby (www.caneandderby.com) has made it to the 200 friend mark on Facebook and, as promised, they will take 20% off everything for another 24 hours. To give everyone a chance to find out about it, pass the word, call a friend, round up the loot, ask the wife, etc, it started at midnight last night and ends on midnight, July 13 2011.

That’s 20% off everything in the store for the 24 hours of July 13.

Their promise is that for every 100 fans they get they’ll run the sale again. So go ahead and spread the word, get your friends to push that little ‘like’ button on Facebook, because that’s all it’ll take to get another 24 hour sale… and then another, and another, and another! Their first 24-hour sale was a huge success and a lot of folks got great deals.

For more information on this and other Cane & Derby news: http://www.caneandderbynews.com/2011/07/facebook-20-24-hours-sale-2-fight/

BFG Announces a Better Mousetrap

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

For years Blue Force Gear, In. has quietly provided lightweight load carriage solutions to some of America’s most elite warriors. Now, they have managed to out-design even themselves.

Blue Force Gear has responded to the call of the American Warfighter to create the lightest, most durable, and lowest profile load carriage system available. The military continuously demands ever increasing reductions in the weight that our Warfighters carry. Blue Force Gear has answered this call by slicing the weight of issued kit by as much as 50 percent without compromising performance and yet increasing effectiveness.

Their answer is the use of unique materials coupled with cutting edge construction techniques. To create this new line, Blue Force Gear combined their designs with an extremely light and durable material that is cut and marked out of a single piece, in one operation. Besides being extremely lightweight, this patent pending process eliminates strap alignment, closure alignment, and webbing spacing issues that have plagued previous versions of the MOLLE attachment system.

Under project title Helium Whisper, this new line is the culmination of a 3 year quest to provide our Warriors with the lightest, most durable, and most technologically advanced equipment possible. With multiple patents pending and proprietary construction techniques Blue Force Gear’s new line is poised to improve the safety, comfort, and effectiveness of the US Warfighter.

I have been briefed on this new technology and hope to unveil some photography very soon. Anyone in Virginia Beach this week should be sure to check it out.

Finally, Blue Force Gear wanted me to point out that they are willing to discuss licensing of this new patent pending technology. Feel free to contact them if you are interested.

www.BlueForceGear.com

GSS Weekend Event

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Turns out, we are going to have a bunch of unplanned free time on our hands this week. So, we started to look around for something to do, and lo and behold, GSS Gear is having a two-day event. Sounds great; Free Food and Drinks and Great Prices. July 15 & 16 at GSS on Diamond Springs Road near Little Creek in Va Beach, VA. See you there!

www.GSSgear.com

How Not To Be Seen

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

After Facebook Fan “Way Point” offered this one up, we just couldn’t resist.

Haley Strategic Partners Giveaway – Day 2

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

Today is day 2 of the 4 day Haley Strategic Partners Giveaway. A winner has been chosen for day 1 and will be announced as soon as he has acknowledged. This is today’s image. To get your win on, visit Facebook.com and “tag” your way to glory. Today’s prize will be BCM GUNFIGHTERâ„¢ MOD4 Charging Handle and a pair of HSGI Taco pouches in Multicam! Rules apply, so follow the rules.