The State University of New York Maritime College

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Wayne Schepens is the vice president of W2 Communications, a nationwide company specializing in campaigns for cyber-security enterprises. Wayne Schepens earned his MS in civil engineering from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the State University of New York Maritime College.

The State University of New York Maritime College sits on the site of Fort Schuyler on a spit of land jutting into the Long Island Sound from Throgg’s Neck. The college was founded in 1874 as the New York Nautical School and is the nation’s oldest maritime college.

The college offers a master’s degree in international transportation management, a bachelor of engineering in five different disciplines, and several bachelor of science programs, as well as an associate degree in marine technology and small vessel operations. Many of the individual degree programs incorporate a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner’s license (deck or engine), a valuable credential upon which a maritime career can be built. All students pursuing such a license must belong to the Regiment of Cadets, a student-led military organization similar to those at the service academies; students not pursuing a license may attend either as civilians or cadets.

While membership in the Regiment prepares cadets for entry into the U.S. Merchant Marine by teaching military discipline, bearing, and traditions, the bulk of the maritime training, upon which the licensing exams are based, is delivered during three annual summer semesters at sea. Each summer, cadets pursuing a U.S. Coast Guard license sail for a two-month term aboard the Empire State VI, a 565-foot, state-of-the-art training vessel, which usually visits three to five foreign ports each summer, as well as one domestic port.

Enhancing Efficiency: A Primer on Cloud Computing by Wayne Schepens

Good business leaders constantly re-evaluate their operations to boost efficiency. Cloud computing represents a crucial step they can take to achieve better organization.

 

Cloud computing offers online software and hardware resources managed by a third party. Generally, these services give companies access to sophisticated applications and fast server networks.

Cloud computing can take several forms. With the virtual information technology scheme, businesses are able to use remote servers to support their own network. Second, for businesses that need increased network storage, cloud computing can offer an online data warehouse. Third, using a software cloud-computing service enables companies to develop applications or create and remotely host them.

Regarding network storage, I particularly enjoy Dropbox.com. The service stores files and facilitates access to them from any computer or phone. For example, Dropbox will help employees work while traveling, whether they use a Mac or PC. Employees also can retrieve their data from Dropbox’s website if their hardware malfunctions. In addition, workers can remotely share their files with others through the website.

As the importance of interconnected business practices increases, cloud computing will continue to play a key role in industry. Businesses would do well to take advantage of the outstanding services offered by cloud computing.

About the author: Wayne Schepens serves as Vice President of Welz & Weisel Communications and as Strategic Consultant at WayneWright Strategy LLC.

[Press release] Wayne Schepens Backs Baltimore’s Bid for Google Fiber

For immediate release

March 2010

Wayne Schepens Backs Baltimore’s Bid for Google Fiber

Wayne Schepens, a Baltimore communications and marketing professional, encouraged Google to choose his city as one of its trial locations for ultra-fast broadband internet. In a video announcement today, Schepens touted Baltimore’s central location in the area’s booming cyber security industry. “These companies would benefit greatly from this move, as the need for interconnected business processes continues to grow and services are pushed into the cloud,” he said.

Schepens’ message is part of a push by Baltimore businesses and residents to persuade Google to install in the city one of the quickest internet connections on earth. If selected by Google, Baltimore schools, hospitals, companies, and homes would benefit from internet speeds of one gigabit of data each second. The move could spur economic development in the city by creating jobs in the information technology industry and generating positive publicity.

Wayne Schepens is Vice President of Welz & Weisel Communications focused on providing clients strategic guidance and messaging to advance their company and product positioning.