Formed in 2000, Starpond is a minority-owned, small disadvantaged business certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration and certified as a Minority Business Enterprise by the Maryland Department of Transportation. Starpond offers government relations consulting, enterprise knowledge management solutions, software development services, and accessibility solutions.

Alvin B. Jackson, President

Alvin B. Jackson, Jr. acquired Starpond in January of 2003. In addition to serving as President, Starpond, Mr. Jackson also provides strategic counsel on matters involving national security, international affairs, homeland security, education, and aviation/aerospace policy. A background in government relations will aid Starpond as it seeks to find solutions to government agency information analysis problems and form partnerships with prime contractors.

Before forming his own company, Mr. Jackson served as Vice President, for the government relations consulting firm, Bergner, Bockorny, Castagnetti, Hawkins & Brain, Inc. in January 2001. Prior to that, he served as Director, Legislative Affairs for the Boeing Company where he primarily worked on issues concerning commercial aviation, trade, and foreign military sales. A strong background in aviation and defense issues was developed. He has worked on defense procurement and international military sales issues with the Department of Defense and the armed services authorization and appropriations committees. A clear understanding of the congressional appropriations process was developed over a ten-year period.

Prior to joining the Boeing Company, Mr. Jackson served as Manager of Government Affairs for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), where he was designated as chief lobbyist for legislation affecting product liability, trade, safety, taxes, bankruptcy reform, aircraft engine noise reduction, and on NASA and FAA appropriation bills. During his tenure with GAMA, Mr. Jackson played an important role in the enactment of the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1995, which established an 18-year statute of repose for general aviation aircraft engines, avionics and component parts. This legislation was responsible for creating 25,000 jobs in the general aviation industry in a five-year period.

Mr. Jackson received his BS degree in Business Administration from Embry-Riddle University and an MBA from John Hopkins University.