Drive Around the World — 2019

Historical program archive — 2019  

Supporting Veterans’ Unfunded Health Care

Drive Around the World (DAW) was a SMART joint-group program led by the Veterans, STEM Education/Workforce Development, and International Groups. Its mission was to provide an integrated global platform for participating countries to conduct annual drives with two goals:

• Maintain a global network of automotive and motorsports industry leaders to promote STEM education and workforce development for related industries, led by Virginia Tech alumni and the U.S. Department of Education.

• Conduct a global charity program benefiting local Veterans’ Unfunded Health Care projects in each participating country, led by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1068.

Technology and Reporting

The Energy Group addressed electric vehicles. The Transportation Group addressed aerospace workforce synergy with automotive and motorsports, and infrastructure topics. The IT Group would document drives digitally, promote program goals, support finish ceremonies in each country and an annual awards ceremony on Capitol Hill, and support an annual global event series. Topical reports were intended for industry, government and academia.

Co-Hosts and Funding

Honorary government and celebrity co-host requests were in process. Funding was intended to rely on private sources, with government roles primarily consisting of endorsements.

U.S. Laps 1 and 2

Planning called for U.S. Lap 1, with Gordon Bryon, Virginia Tech alumnus, to drive west from Wildwood, New Jersey, on August 23, 2019, to San Diego, California. The route would connect and showcase Virginia Tech alumni leaders in automotive and motorsports and benefit local veterans’ unfunded health care projects at each stop.

U.S. Lap 2, led by Rob Mazzuca, EFI Enterprises, was proposed as a “Cannonball Run” type competition returning from San Diego to Wildwood, further supporting veterans and STEM education/workforce development.

International Laps and Awards

The International Group was facilitating participating-country laps. Discussions had been held with Romania, Greece, Italy, West Africa, Ireland and several Caribbean nations.

The source welcomed participation in a proposed first annual DAW International Awards Dinner on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., one year after the first drive.

Historical Program Contacts

• Program Manager: Robert Carullo — bcarullo@smartstates.com; 609-304-2904

• Deputy Program Manager / Founder: Gordon Bryan — gordyvtech@yahoo.com; 484-802-4063

• International: Victor Webb — marwebint@cs.com; 212-684-6601

• Business Development: Andrew Adams — capitalturf1@aol.com; 267-688-5880