Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) is no stranger to the government technology community. As founder and managing director of Columbia Capital, a venture capital firm, he helped found or invest in a number of technology companies, including Nextel.

So it was a logical leap when Warner reached out to the Northern Virginia Technology Council in 2010, asking for recommendations for remedying the major record-keeping deficiencies discovered at Arlington National Cemetery.

The task force that came together, led by a Booz Allen Hamilton, Science Applications International Corp. and The MITRE Corp., and assisted by 14 member companies, delivered their recommendations to Army Secretary John McHugh and ANC leaders this past January.

But Warner made it a point to recognize the task force’s efforts last night at NVTC’s 20th annual TechCelebration in McLean, Va.

The former Virginia governor delivered the requisit jabs comparing Washington to Richmond.

“Washington is so screwed up that it makes Richmond look good – even when the General Assembly’s in session,” he said.

But he also delivered plenty of praise for the pro bono work more than a dozen firms had contributed in laying out a blue print for the ANC. Among those joining Warner on the stage last night:

  • Bobbie Kilberg, NVTC President and CEO
  • Brad Antle, NVTC Chair, of Salient Federal Solutions
  • Col. John Schrader, Co-Chair of the Arlington National Cemetery Accountability Task Force Mark Brunner, Sen. Warner’s National Security Advisor
  • From Booz Allen Hamilton: Bill Orr, Jay Dodd, Rachel Cohen and Gary Kent
  • From MITRE: Gabe Galvan, Ken Mullins and Julie Bowen
  • From SAIC: Carl Beisel and Robert Eek
  • George Newstrom of Dell (formerly of Lee Technologies when he was the Task Force co-chair)
  • Bob Kahn of CNRI, Task Force Co-Chair

Also participating in task force were: Blue Canopy, CGI Federal, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), CSC, The George Washington University, HP, Northfield Consulting Group, SoltecOne, Synaptitude, Unanet and Vistronix.

Among the task force recommendations:

  • Establish and implement rigorous processes and procedures for maintaining end-to-end chain of custody that ensures standardized, accountable and secure management of remains, including a documented audit trail and implementing proven in-transit-tracking technology
  • Institute a holistic case management methodology, including digitized historical data and records, call center capability, workflow management and improved data/records management
  • Create and maintain a culture of high-performance and personal accountability for the entire ANC workforce through establishing a clear vision and mission for the organization
  • Implement an improved automated scheduling and event planning capability, while leveraging eligibility determination services available from the National Cemetery Administration
  • Assign an accountable and empowered project manager who is reinforced by a robust governance structure