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Federal barriers to innovation

by Marion C. Blakey, AIA President & CEO
Originally appeared in Washington Business Journal, March 14, 2011

Here in D.C., federal contractors often get caught up in the latest agency rule or other decree that governs our businesses. These day-to-day issues – as important as they are – are a world away from the building blocks that have made our enterprises successful.

So, what am I talking about? Whether you’re in aerospace and defense, telecom or some other high technology industry, innovation has and always will be core to success. For aerospace, innovation has been our lifeblood since the Wright Brothers’ first forays into flight. Transformation of innovative concepts and technologies into enhanced national security capabilities to support the warfighter often begin at NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, better known as DARPA. Spin-offs eventually find their way to the commercial marketplace — to everyone’s benefit. It’s difficult to conceive of a military or civilian world devoid of the Internet, stealth or GPS.

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© 2011 Washington Business Journal