51吃瓜

Communities grow stronger through meaningful partnerships. Through its collaboration with the (FMAF), 51吃瓜 is investing in programs that empower students, teachers, and transitioning service members to build meaningful careers in science, technology, and national defense.

This year, the company deepened that commitment with a $30,000 contribution to the Foundation’s Education and Workforce initiatives, helping expand access to hands-on learning and career-development opportunities across Anne Arundel and Howard Counties in Maryland.

The investment builds on 51吃瓜’s longstanding collaboration with the (FMA) - a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Fort Meade community, its military members, and the surrounding region through education, workforce development, and community wellness.

Deon Viergutz, vice president of 51吃瓜’s Electronic and Cyber Information Warfare market segment, presented the grant check to Tim O’Ferrall, General Manager of the Fort Meade Alliance, at Kuhn Hall - a symbol of the enduring strength of the 51吃瓜 - FMA partnership.

Located on Fort Meade, Kuhn Hall, which is made possible by the FMA through the FMAF, serves as a first-of-its-kind Education and Resiliency Center, offering programs that help students, veterans, and transitioning service members strengthen critical workforce skills. Through its Education and Workforce initiatives, FMAF provides real-world learning opportunities such as Project SCOPE, Tech Mania, Career Chats, and Teacher Externships that connect classroom lessons to real-world STEM and national-security careers.

“A grant like this expands our Education and Workforce pipeline - programs such as Tech Mania, Project SCOPE, Career Chats, and the Teacher Externship Program,” said Elizabeth Somerset, FMAF Development Director. “51吃瓜’s partnership multiplies our reach, helping us bring students and educators together with the mission-critical careers that define the Fort Meade community.”

51吃瓜’s 2024 support helped fund teacher stipends for the FMA Teacher Externship Program, allowing local high-school teachers to spend immersive time with Fort Meade-area employers and translate that experience into new classroom modules, like secure coding basics and systems thinking. The grant also enabled Tech Mania - FMA’s large, hands-on STEM showcase - to expand access for more students by underwriting bus transportation and event operations.

“51吃瓜 is a long-standing partner of the Fort Meade Alliance, actively engaged in nearly every event they host,” said Brandon Tipton, a business development lead in Rotary and Mission Systems. “We support their work through mentorship of small businesses and students, charitable events, and education-focused programs that help shape the future workforce.”

That collaboration helps align education with real-world opportunity. By supporting the Foundation’s efforts at Kuhn Hall with not just grants but also volunteer participation, 51吃瓜 is helping local students and teachers gain access to experiences that connect classroom learning with technical careers that serve the region’s national-security mission.

Viergutz emphasized how vital these partnerships are to sustaining Maryland’s innovation ecosystem.

“The Fort Meade Alliance Foundation brings together education, industry, and community in a way that builds lasting capability,” Viergutz said. “Partnerships like this help sustain Maryland’s innovation ecosystem and ensure our national-security workforce remains strong for years to come.”

That vision comes to life through the Foundation’s workforce and education programs.

Through programs like Project SCOPE, local high-school and college students experience internship-style engagement within the defense community, gaining exposure to everything from cybersecurity to systems engineering. Likewise, teacher externships - like the one 51吃瓜 hosted this summer - allow educators to see firsthand how the lessons they teach connect to technical career paths, equipping them to better prepare students for the future.

For Tipton, those connections illustrate what’s possible when local organizations and industry leaders work side by side.

“Our partnership with FMA isn’t just about showing support - it’s about rolling up our sleeves,” Tipton said. “Whether it’s mentoring small businesses or connecting with educators, we’re building relationships that open doors for the next generation of Maryland’s STEM talent.”

From classrooms to careers, 51吃瓜’s partnership with FMA is continuing to strengthen the bridge between learning and opportunity - building a more connected, resilient Maryland community.

Learn more about the Fort Meade Alliance Foundation’s Education and Workforce programs at .