A longtime figure in Orlando’s tech community will lead one of the city’s most prominent, tech-centric groups.
Sheena Fowler, who most recently served as business development manager for the augmented reality firm Red 6, will begin her time as Innovate Orlando’s CEO on Jan. 20.
Fowler had previously worked with the Orlando Economic Partnership for more than a decade, spending the last couple of years leading innovation directives.
Innovate Orlando is a nonprofit that emerged in recent years with the goal of improving and promoting the city’s tech ecosystem.
In a social media post, outgoing CEO David Adelson praised the decision to turn the reins over to Fowler.
“I can’t think of anyone better than Sheena Fowler to continue the momentum and energy that has made the City of Orlando and the Orlando Tech Community one of the best places to start a business in the United States,” he said.
Hatalom lands Navy contract
Orlando-based Hatalom Corporation announced Friday that it had been awarded a contract from the Department of Defense and U.S. Navy.
The SeaPort Next Generation contract includes work on a range of services, including cybersecurity, logistics support, training and research and development.
“We are thrilled to join the esteemed group of companies providing mission-critical support under the SeaPort-NXG contract,” said John Hinnant, Hatalom CEO, in a press release.
Hatalom is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business.
Black Orlando Tech event ahead
Black Orlando Tech will host its first event of 2025 next week when it welcomes the community in for “The 2025 State of Tech Future of Startup and Work.”
BOT Executive Director Safia Porter and Startup Program Director Jehue Francois will host the session, which will focus upon tech’s future and how to prepare for continued growth.
The organization in recent years has made programming and education a top priority
You can go to Eventbrite for tickets to the event, which will be held at The Conduit, 1001 N. Orange Ave., in downtown Orlando.