Panel set for government, business disaster preparedness

Two local technology organizations, ITGULFCOAST and AFCEA, are hosting a joint meeting on July 26 to discuss ways that government and commercial enterprises can prepare for and recover from natural and man-made disasters.

The meeting will be held at New World Landing, 600 S. Palafox St., Pensacola on Wednesday, July 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per person, $12 for active duty military (make checks payable to ITGulfCoast)

For directions to the New World Landing, visit their website www.newworldlanding .com or call: (850) 4324111

Panelists include:

.Tom Bonfield, Manager of the City of Pensacola

. Edwin "Buz" Eddy, Manager of the City of Gulf Breeze

.J. T. Young, Gulf Power Chief Information Officer

.John Dosh, Chief of Escambia County Emergency Operations Center.

.Buzz Ritchie, President of Rebuild Northwest Florida, CEO Gulfcoast Community Bank and former Florida state representative.

.Lt. General Bob Kennedy (Air Force Retired) whose original Continuity Of Operations Plan was for the Presidency, beginning with President Carter. More recently, he wrote the 2002 CO-OP for UWF.

The session will develop awareness and collaboration between customers and suppliers. The goal is to have real follow-up actions and requests for assists, as well as preparedness planning, training, exercises, and upgrades.

For more information about AFCEA, visit the local chapter's website at www.afceapns. org.