Drive for Data Across America (DDAA)

SMART Congressional Initiative | Joint Group Program

2024 Program Archive — Executive Summary, Program Overview & Sponsorship Opportunities

Executive Summary

Drive for Data Across America (DDAA) is a SMART Joint Group program designated as SMART's top program priority for 2024.

The initiative is led jointly by SMART's STEM Education and Workforce Development Group and Veterans Group.

Program Founder, Manager & Driver: Gordy Bryan (Virginia Tech '82 and Malvern Prep '78)

Phone: 484-222-3812

Mission and Program Goals

The mission of Drive for Data Across America is to compile and report grassroots data to federal and state governments, businesses, academic institutions, and related nonprofit organizations through annual driving initiatives across the United States.

The program focuses on two primary goals:

1. Technical Education and Workforce Development

Promote STEM education and workforce development within the automotive, motorsports, and aviation communities.

Program Leadership:

• Virginia Tech Alumni

• Malvern Prep Alumni

• Retired U.S. Department of Education representatives

2. Veterans' Health Care and Charitable Initiatives

Conduct local veterans' health care projects along the national driving route, supporting veterans and their communities.

Program Leadership: Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Chapter 1068, Somerdale, New Jersey.

Honorary Co-Hosts

The program identified the following honorary co-hosts and prospective participants:

• The Honorable Patrick Murphy — U.S. Congressman, Pennsylvania's 8th District (2007–2011), and Under Secretary of the Army (2016–2017).

• Michael Parrish — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Principal Executive Director, Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction (invited).

• Additional Government and Celebrity Co-Hosts — Requests were in progress, with governors engaged in discussions.

National Data Collection and Washington, D.C. Forum

To compile national grassroots information, the DDAA program planned a series of regional and statewide drives extending from San Diego, California, to Wildwood, New Jersey.

The proposed route would connect and showcase Virginia Tech and Malvern Prep alumni leaders, technical organizations, industry sponsors, and participating communities.

SMART's Information Technology Group would compile real-time grassroots data supporting:

• DDAA mission objectives, program goals, route stops, and concluding ceremonies.

• An Annual Report and Awards Ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

• Resulting public, private, and public-private initiatives involving businesses, government agencies, academic institutions, and professional associations.

The program was designed to connect local technical and community priorities with national policymakers and industry leaders.

Additional Technology Focus Areas

Other SMART groups identified for participation included:

Transportation and Infrastructure

Infrastructure development, transportation systems, and related technology priorities.

Advanced Manufacturing

Advanced manufacturing technologies and associated workforce development requirements.

Energy and Electric Vehicles

Energy innovation and the impact of electric vehicles on infrastructure, manufacturing, and workforce development.

Global Diversity and Inclusion

Economic development and workforce initiatives supporting broader participation in technical industries.

International Collaboration

Potential international expansion of the DDAA program.

Additional SMART groups could be incorporated as the annual program developed.

Veterans' Charity Funding

Beyond administrative costs, DDAA program funding was intended to support grants for local veterans' programs at major route stops.

Grant recipients would be selected by local Vietnam Veterans of America chapters or other veterans-serving organizations.

National Coordination: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1068, Somerdale, New Jersey, would coordinate the effort with assistance from other VVA chapters and veterans-serving organizations.

Program Scheduling and Information

For scheduling information and participation inquiries, contact:

Robert Carullo
Executive Director, SMART Congressional Initiative
Email: bcarullo@smartstates.com
Phone: 609-304-2904

2024 DDAA Sponsorship Opportunities

Historical sponsorship information — 2024 program

SMART provided sponsorship opportunities for businesses, organizations, government partners, and individuals interested in supporting the DDAA mission.

The original program materials stated that SMART's IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt information would be provided to sponsors and contributors.

National Program Sponsorship Levels

The following rates applied to the proposed 2024 national drives.

Sponsorship Level

2024 Contribution

Program Sponsor (1 available)

$50,000

Platinum Sponsor

$35,000

Gold Sponsor

$25,000

Silver Sponsor

$10,000

Bronze Sponsor

$5,000

National Sponsorship Benefits

Benefits included, but were not limited to:

• Program Sponsor: Keynote speaking opportunity at the annual DDAA event.

• Platinum Sponsor: Opportunity to deliver brief remarks at the annual event.

• SMART Conferences: Program Sponsor invited to speak at SMART's fall and spring conferences and provided a complimentary exhibit booth.

• Platinum Exhibit Space: Limited complimentary space within the DDAA exhibit booth.

• Sponsor Recognition: Other sponsorship levels recognized from the podium.

• Priority Exhibiting: National sponsors offered complimentary priority exhibit space at DDAA events.

• Promotional Recognition: Sponsor logos and acknowledgments included in promotional materials and on the SMART website.

• Executive Committee Participation: Program Sponsor invited to participate on the Program Executive Committee.

• Additional Benefits: Other customary national sponsorship benefits, as applicable.

Regional and Local Sponsorship Opportunities

Regional and local sponsorships were designed to provide benefits similar to those offered at the national level, tailored to individual events and communities.

Sponsorship Level

2024 Contribution

Program Sponsor (1 available)

$3,000

Platinum Sponsor

$2,000

Gold Sponsor

$1,000

Silver Sponsor

$500

Bronze Sponsor

$250

Sponsorship and Contribution Instructions

Corporate and Organizational Sponsorships

To request sponsorship information or an invoice, contact:

Robert Carullo
Executive Director, SMART Congressional Initiative
Email: bcarullo@smartstates.com
Phone: 609-304-2904

Individual and Organizational Contributions

The original 2024 program accepted contributions by check and offered credit-card contributions by telephone.

Check Contribution Instructions (2024):

Make checks payable to SMART and indicate DDAA Contribution in the memo field.

Mail to:

Pamela Fillion
SMART Treasurer
17 Crested Butte Court
Shamong, NJ 08088-8227

For telephone credit-card contributions, the original program directed contributors to contact Robert Carullo at 609-304-2904.

SMART indicated that sponsors and contributors would receive receipts containing the organization's IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt information.

These instructions are preserved for historical reference and should be reconfirmed before accepting new contributions.

DDAA Executive Committee and Program Contacts

Gordy Bryan

Program Manager / Driver
Email: gordyvtech@yahoo.com
Phone: 484-222-3812

Robert (Bob) Carullo

Deputy Program Manager
Email: bcarullo@smartstates.com
Phone: 609-304-2904

Bill Devereaux

Veterans Program Manager
Email: billd700@comcast.net
Phone: 609-313-0553

SMART Congressional Initiative

Strengthening collaboration among government, academia, industry, and the technical community to advance American innovation, workforce development, and veterans' initiatives.