Late last month, Sterling hosted its second annual Technical Industry Partners Exchange (TIPE), bringing together key military stakeholders, technology leaders, and academic researchers for two jam-packed days of collaboration, training, and dynamic information exchange.
Held on the campus of Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, GA, the TIPE event acted as a collaborative forum in which attendees examined how emerging technologies can be integrated across the mission stack, creating a structured environment where stakeholders explored operational challenges, compared technical approaches, and identified practical opportunities for experimentation, integration, and workforce development.
“The goal of TIPE was never just information exchange,” said Mark Gordon, a Federal Account Manager for Sterling. “The purpose of the event was to create a path from exchange to workshop, from workshop to validation, and from validation to outcomes that the government can actually use. The thoughtful leadership and engagement provided by our industry presenters, military attendees, and university representatives helped make that theme a reality.”
Casting aside the trappings of a traditional conference structure, TIPE featured interactive, purpose-driven workshops led by industry heavyweights such as Dell Technologies, Red Hat, MomentumAI, Palo Alto, Google, Nara Logics, Eracent, and North Star Labs. Select sessions also catered to Fort Valley students who were in attendance, illuminating pathways for career development and long-term professional success—whether it be in the corporate world, academia, or the public sector.
“Our students have what it takes to thrive at the forefront of new technology,” said Dr. Shawna Early, MetroStar Systems Engineer and Assistant Professor at Fort Valley State University. “Through this partnership, they had the opportunity to apply their skills to real-world projects, learn from industry mentors, and gain valuable experience in areas like AI and cybersecurity. I am excited to help guide them as they take their next steps into exciting and impactful careers.”