Outgoing SI Chief Reflects on Success

The torch-passing at SI has sparked speculation that the company may be prepping itself for an acquisition by a larger contractor, and Antle, who joined the firm in 1999, admits the firm regularly gets nibbles from potential buyers. He insists, though, that SI's focus is still on growth and that it has its eye on a few possible purchases of its own.

As for Oleson, who "failed at retirement" the first time around, he'll remain on as chairman of the board. He does, however, plan to cut back to "40 to 50 hours a week."

U-Md. Finals

Finals of the University of Maryland 's latest business plan competition take place Sept. 23, and a few local entrepreneurs -- such as Tien Wong , of Opus 8 , John LaPides , of Snow Valley Inc. ,and Dan Goodman , chief executive of Zernike USA Inc . -- will be among the judges. The hitch? The competition is in China and is limited to businesses based in that country.

"This is a way to create brand recognition for the Smith School [of Business] in China," said Asher Epstein , managing director of the school's Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship , which is sponsoring the competition.

More than 50 companies, ranging from biotech firms to start-ups developing new water purification technology, are competing for the $25,000 top prize.

The university already has executive MBA programs set up in Beijing and Shanghai but is exploring the potential for even more growth in the world's most populous country.

We recognize "that China is going to be one of the significant economic powers of the 21st century -- we want to make sure that we are positioned to be one of the [education] providers in that market."

Overheard

"As a former member of the Department of Homeland Security , I wanted to enhance the federal role. As a potential governor of Arkansas, I want to enhance the state role," Asa Hutchinson , former undersecretary of DHS, said jokingly of his view on the division of responsibility between state and national governments in times of crisis. About 80 people showed up at the Northern Virginia Technology Council event yesterday morning to hear Hutchinson's assessment of the agency.

Ellen McCarthy writes about the local tech scene every Thursday. Her e-mail ismccarthye@washpost.com.