FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 25, 2012

WASHINGTON – Supporting survivors of tragic loss, is a key philanthropic focus for technology and information security leader John B. Wood, of Telos Corporation. Wood recently joined the Board of Directors for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). 

TAPS is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 35,000 surviving family members of our fallen military since 1994. 

Wood and Telos have supported TAPS since 2009, when Telos became a sponsor for the TAPS Honor Guard Gala after learning from one of its employees about how TAPS was helping local area survivors of our fallen military rebuild their lives after suffering the death of a service member. 

With a philanthropic interest in aiding survivors of tragic loss, Wood and Telos reached out to learn more about the organization and how they could support its efforts. Over time, their involvement expanded to include the TAPS Run and Remember Team, TAPS Honor Guard Gala annually, in-kind assistance with technology support, and public education events about the nature of traumatic loss and its impact on the survivors left behind.

Wood recently attended his first meeting with the TAPS Board of Directors. “I believe strongly in TAPS’ mission to bring comfort and support to those loved by our fallen heroes. An entirely privately funded organization, TAPS has a network of over 50,000 volunteers who stand ready to support our military families when their loved one dies while serving their country.  It is a remarkable organization, and one I am proud to be a part of.” said Wood.

"The TAPS Board of Directors plays a critical role in ensuring that TAPS meets its mission to care for the families of our fallen military," said Bonnie Carroll, founder and president of TAPS. "John Wood brings incredible insight and support for our work to help grieving military families and we appreciate his willingness to step into this important role."

It takes on average five to seven years for people experiencing a traumatic loss to reach a “new normal.” TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, seminars for adults, good grief camps for children, case work assistance, and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. 

Wood also serves as treasurer and member of the board of directors for Project Rebirth, a nonprofit organization documenting the strength of the human spirit in coping with the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center. A time-lapsed film of the rebuilding of Ground Zero frames the year-by-year development of the lives of ten 9/11 survivors. 

Project Rebirth is the only living record of the minute-by-minute development of the site, and will be a component of the WTC Memorial Museum and archived in the Library of Congress. The proceeds of the film will be reinvested in the Project Rebirth Center, which will help meet an urgent need for improved care and support for victims of and first responders to future disasters of all kinds, man-made or natural.

Wood is chief executive officer, chairman of the board and director for Telos Corporation. As CEO, he orchestrates the company’s support of the federal government in the critical areas of cyber operations and defense, secure messaging and identity management solutions. 

Wood joined the company in 1992 as executive vice president and chief operating officer, and in 1994 was named president and chief executive officer. Prior to joining the company, Wood worked on Wall Street for Dean Witter Reynolds, UBS Securities and his own boutique investment bank. He earned a B.S. in business administration in finance and computer science from Georgetown University. 

Wood is also an active member of the business community, championing the concept of civic entrepreneurship as the founding chairman of the Loudoun County CEO Cabinet and former  chairman of Loudoun County’s Economic Development Commission.

For more information about TAPS, go to www.taps.org  or call 800.959.TAPS (8277).

Media contact for TAPS: Ami Neiberger-Miller, Public Affairs Officer, 202.588.8277, ami@taps.org

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