Alirtify is a place to get real-time information about what is important to you. Kwabena Okrah, Founder and CEO of Alirtify (formerly Shelly News), has a global vision. He is reinventing local news by building a community where users can see the news that is local to others. His company gives users real-time information about … Read more
FITCI
As a kid, Dr. Jill Pecon-Slattery was in love with nature—frogs, butterflies, and all living things. A childhood spent outdoors exploring the natural world led, logically, to a career in science, although Jill’s path has had twists and turns. Initially, she wanted to be a marine field biologist; with a master’s degree in oceanography, Jill … Read more
Dr. Pierre Reed loves cyber. Really, really, loves cyber. “If I won the lottery, I’d do it for free” says the founder of PMTR Industries, a cybersecurity service business based in Frederick. “It’s constantly changing and requires adaptive skills to remain at the top of the field.” Dr. Reed was introduced to cyber when he … Read more
In 2011, Xavier Bruce was enduring the stress of a rocky marriage, raising a son with autism, and struggling through the doctoral dissertation process—all while on active duty in the Air Force, deployed amid rocket attacks in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The crucible of those experiences ultimately led to the creation of his company, UPL!FT Energy Coaching, … Read more
In 2016 Kathie Callahan Brady, CEO of Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI), received a basket of fuzzy baby chicks as a present. This was the gift her friends gave her when she joined the business incubator; she stared at the basket, puzzled. Noticing her expression, Kathie’s friends said, “you work for an incubator, right?” … Read more


